Erik Gudbranson

Inked to a shocking four-year, $16 million deal prior to the start of the 2022-23 campaign, Gudbranson predictably struggled in his first year with the Blue Jackets. He managed just a single goal and 13 points in 70 games, adding a minus-24 rating in the process. The lone positive was Gudbranson averaged 21:18 of ice time per night, the highest mark of his career. The veteran shouldn't threaten that number this coming season following the additions of Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson via trade, meaning that a contract that looked baffling from the start is at risk of becoming one of the worst in the league sooner rather than later. Ignore Gudbranson on draft day.

The recipient of arguably the most baffling contract in all of free agency, Gudbranson signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Jackets this past July. It comes on the heels of a season in which Gudbranson posted 17 points, 145 hits, and 92 blocks in 78 games for Calgary. Gudbranson has played for six different teams over the course of the past four years, so good on him for getting his money. Of course, he won't help you win your fantasy league and might not help Columbus win hockey games, either.

Gudbranson notched nine points in 44 games with the Ducks last year after going scoreless in seven appearances with the Penguins. He also had 89 hits and 58 blocked shots between the two teams, which exhibits what the 29-year-old blueliner is most useful for. A stay-at-home defenseman, Gudbranson has reached double digits in points just twice in his career. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to make it three times in a shortened 2020-21 campaign, but he'll still be a fairly steady source of hits, PIM and blocked shots, especially as he projects for big minutes in Ottawa.

In 57 games for Vancouver last season, Gudbranson was a staggering minus-27, however, a flip to the Steel City at the trade deadline saw him go plus-7 in 19 contests with the Penguins. A defensively-minded player, the 26-year-old managed to reach the 10-point threshold for just the second time in his career in 2018-19. Gudbranson isn't going to be asked to provide offensive support and won't see any action on the power play in 2019-20, so he can safely be disregarded in all fantasy formats.

He played in 52 games last year, 22 more than his first season in Vancouver, but the more Gudbranson played, the more his flaws showed. The 6-foot-5 defenseman has not been able to stay healthy for an entire season since breaking into the league, and with just 54 points in 391 career NHL games it's clear he doesn't have a well of natural talent to tap into. His stay-at-home style is also quickly going out of fashion in a league that emphasizes skill and quickness. The 26-year-old veteran, however, is a fixture in Vancouver's lineup because no one else can provide the physical presence he offers, but asking him to do anything more would be unfair. His fantasy value is limited to blocked shots and hits.

Injuries continue to take their toll on Gudbranson, as the 6-foot-5 blueliner only suited up 30 times in 2016-17 before undergoing season-ending wrist surgery. While he should be ready for the start of training camp, Gudbranson has never surpassed 13 points in his career and is more known for his physical play and defensive abilities. The 25-year-old will likely log steady minutes on Vancouver’s blue line and is usually good for a pile of PIM and hits. Gudbranson won't impress you with his offense, but when he’s healthy, the former Panther is a valuable fantasy blueliner in leagues that place emphasis on defensive categories.

Gudbranson arrives in Vancouver after spending the first five years of his NHL career with the Panthers. While he isn’t a big offensive producer, Gudbranson logged 20:07 of ice time last season and is punishing with the body. He’s never surpassed 13 points in his career, though, so with Ben Hutton, Chris Tanev and Alex Edler in front of him on the defensive depth chart don’t expect any big surprises in his first season with Vancouver. Look for the 24-year-old to slot in on Vancouver’s second defensive pairing and be a solid shutdown guy who can kill penalties.

The third overall pick of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Gudbranson has been a full-time NHL player since his arrival in the organization. At 6-foot-5 and over 215 pounds, Gudbranson is a big body, but his offensive potential has never been realized. Even so, he's still been a nice piece for the Panthers in their defensive rotation, logging more than 18 minutes of ice time per game last season. Because he's not going to do much on the offensive end, Gudbranson's fantasy value is limited to penalty minutes and hits. He racked up 212 of the latter category last season, good for second on the team.

Gudbranson played his third full season before his 22nd birthday, which is quite impressive, but don't be fooled - he managed just nine points in 65 games in 2013-14 playing almost 18 minutes per game, indicating he is more valuable in real life than in fantasy. There were positive signs: he improved his plus/minus, shots, hits, blocked shots, and PIM last season setting career-highs in all of those categories. In leagues that count those stats he could add value; that said, his role is not expected to change and he won't see much time on the power play. Given his career trajectory to date he won't be at the top of your draft list this year.

The Panthers took Gudbranson with the third overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, but he's more of a defensive defenseman than a puck-moving one. He had four assists in 32 games last season, and with a minus-22 rating, his only value was in the penalty minutes category, where he had 47. If he doesn't develop a scoring touch this year, he won't be nearly as valuable to fantasy owners as he is to his team.

Gudbranson made the jump to the NHL, registering two goals and six assists in 72 games this past season with the Panthers. The former first-round, third-overall pick in 2011, has a big shot from the point and passing ability worthy of becoming a decent fantasy play for years to come. Gudbranson may still be a year or two away from making a leap into fantasy relevance, but should be viewed as a solid long-term keeper option. His path to contributing offensively isn't the clearest, as the Panthers will rely on Brian Campbell, Dmitry Kulikov and the newly-signed veteran, Filip Kuba on the power play. Regardless, Gudbranson is a name well worth remembering.

Much of Florida's success in the upcoming season depends on the quality of their blue line. At 18 years old, Gudbranson figures to be a big part of that equation, even though he was just drafted this year. With his solid two-way game, he's already being considered a Chris Pronger prototype of sorts, and that bodes well for his future with the Panthers.