Toni Lydman

Need hits and blocked shots? Then Lydman is your man. He won't hurt you offensively and he typically has a solid plus-minus (last year aside). He has averaged almost 135 hits and 145 blocked shots in his last three seasons, giving him sneaky value in specialty formats. Do not forget his name.

Lydman posted 25 points (3 G, 22 A) in 78 games last season, but those numbers came while he was hampered by a torn labrum in his shoulder. Lydman underwent successful surgery in May, however, he is expected to miss some time at the beginning of the season while he recovers. Lydman's point production typically hovers in the 20-plus range and it could take a significant hit should he miss a large portion of the season. If he holds off the younger options behind him on the depth chart for power-play time, Lydman could be a useful option in deeper formats once he's healthy.

For Lydman, in 2009-10, he had to overcome some injury issues at the start of the season for hand issues, and later for a tender groin. However, later in the season he return to the steady defensive play he is known for finishing with a plus-10. He also scored 20 points (4 G 16 A) and had a time on ice average of 18:52. For 2010-11, Lydman is certain to become a top-four forward after the Ducks dealt away James Wisniewski and can handle 20 minutes of ice time per game. His production should be about the same, scoring a few goals and pitching in around 20-25 points.

For the past few seasons, Lydman has been a consistent and reliable presence for the Sabres defense. Although he was third on the team in scoring among defenseman, Lydman is a defensive- minded player who shouldn’t have more than 25 points this upcoming season.

Don’t be swayed by the career-high 26 points (4G, 22A) that Lydman recorded in 2007-08. He finished the season in a horrendous 18-game slump that included three points and a minus-10 rating and he will turn 31 in September. From a fantasy perspective, Lydman is essentially a roster filler.

Lydman is a defensive-minded player that is most valuable for his plus/minus rating. His team is likely to be worse this year, which could hurt his plus-10 rating. Lydman received ample power-play time in 2006-07, but that should decline this year and he didn't make a significant dent in the scoring columns in 2006-07.

Lydman is incredibly valuable to the Sabres, but is not a huge fantasy producer. He had only 17 points in 75 games last season and his career high is 28 points. Expect 20 to 30 points out of him in 2006-07.

The Finnish blueliner appeared in 67 games for Calgary in 2003-04, scoring four goals and 16 assists. In four NHL seasons, Lydman has scored between 19 and 28 points, evidence that his offensive upside is limited. Nevertheless, he's a solid addition for the Sabres and for whoever ends up starting in goal for Buffalo this year. He'll get some power play time, though Teppo Numminen and Dmitri Kalinin would seems to be the main guys for that role.