Halpern was a late-season addition to the Canadiens' roster after he was waived by the Rangers. He got some fourth-line and penalty-kill duty in Montreal and proved to be the Habs' best faceoff man. He was not brought back and became an unrestricted free agent. He'll get a shot with some team in need of forward depth and a faceoff guy.
Halpern wasn't much of a fantasy asset in 2011-12 as he totaled 16 points in 69 games with the Washington Capitals. He's never been a huge contributor in any category (his career-high in points was 46 back in 2003-04), but he could be a valuable asset to the Rangers' checking lines he enters his 13th season in the league at 36 years old. There's a chance that a change of address helps Halpern's production in 2012-13, but he won't provide much value in anything but the deepest of leagues.
Halpern began his career with Washington and now is returning to provide veteran leadership to the club. He competes very hard and will provide some depth on one of the bottom lines. He is not relevant in fantasy formats, but should provide a spark to the overall team.
Halpern showed a real flash of offense when he first arrived in Tampa Bay but these days, he's just a third-line center who'll focus on shutting down the opposition. There's nothing special about his skills but he's sturdy and dependable, and he could manage a point every couple games.
Halpern blew the doors off -- 18 points in 19 games -- upon his arrival in Tampa Bay last spring. He was poised to take a run at the second-line center's job but blew out his ACL playing for Team USA at the 2008 IIHF World Championships. Don't expect him until 2009 and even then, there's this guy named Stamkos ahead of him on the draft chart. It's too bad really -- his 15 minutes of fame have passed.
Expected to provide loads of grit and leadership as the Stars' checking center, a role similiar to one once filled by Guy Carbonneau.
Halpern, the stalwart checking-line forward for the Caps, was having a solid campaign in 2004-05 with 28 points in 24 games between the Swiss A and B leagues before his mother, aunt and uncle were killed in a fiery automobile crash with a fuel tanker and he came home to be with family. When he got back to the Caps, Halpern was promoted from the third line to the team's top unit alongsize superstar-in-waiting Alex Ovechkin and Dainius Zubrus. If Halpern can stick on the top line and top power play unit all season, he could be a major sleeper.
