Eager is what he is, a fourth line player who will be a healthy scratch upon occasion, but one who will score a handful of goals and spend his share of time in the penalty box. The Oilers do believe they lack toughness, so Eager may play more than one might thinks. He'll enjoy his new job protecting the baby superstars in the Oil Patch, but we're not sure how that will translate to help you in fantasy.
Eager actually played 63 games for the Oilers last season and lit the lamp eight times. That being said, he played under nine minutes a game, on average, and saw little to no power play time. He might fill a fourth line role again, but the Oilers have quite a few young players coming up through their system that might push for his job. He's a battler, but he's in tough this season.
Although Eager has scored 25 goals over the past three seasons, it's his physical playing style that led to his new three-year deal with the Oilers this past July. Eager, who has accumulated 741 PIMs in 323 career games, could be one of the players providing protection for young guns Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He is likely to play on the fourth line role with the possibility of watching from press box when the club plays against finesse teams.
Eager inked a one-year deal with the Thrashers in July of 2010, staving off the arbitration process. So, will you be "eager" to draft this Stanley Cup champion for the 2010-11 season? In shallow leagues, we doubt you'll give him much consideration. However, in deep fantasy pools, especially those that hand out extra points for penalty minutes, Eager could be a decent value pick at the back end of drafts - just don't view him as any kind of magician with the puck.
He is the protector of the likes of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Eager posted career highs in several categories including 11 goals, 15 points and 74 games played. He ranked 13th in the league with 161 penalty minutes. Eager extended that into the postseason by leading the league with 61 penalty minutes in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games. There is no doubt that he will match or surpass his penalty minutes. Eager could also equal his goals and points score in 2009-10.
Eager was traded to Chicago from Philadelphia last December. He played in nine games after the trade before undergoing surgery on his shoulder. Eager should main the fourth line with Craig Adams and whichever young prospect can claim the right wing position during camp. He can rack up the penalty minutes in bunches, but he's only worth a roster spot in the deepest of fantasy leagues.
Eager won the Pelle Lindbergh Trophy as the Flyers' most improved player. He played in 88 games, 9-10-19, 251 PIM. Eager led the team in penalty minutes with 233, first in the NHL.
Eager will probably have a job on the Flyers 4th line, but besides the occasional fight, he doesn't fill up the stat sheet. Stay away on draft day.
