At 34, Fiddler brings a veteran presence to the Stars. He's a good player and makes the team better, but that just doesn't translate into fantasy value. He hasn't crossed the 10-goal threshold since the 2008-09 season and averaged just 13:17 of ice time last season. He should start the season as the team's fourth line center, behind Jamie Benn, Jason Spezza and Cody Eakin. The Stars are deep down the middle, so it gives Fiddler little chance of climbing the ranks. Look for similar numbers to last year, if not a slight regression.
Fiddler provided the type of numbers typical of a depth centerman, picking up four goals and 13 assists in 46 games in 2012-13. He is expected to fill that role with Dallas again this season, particularly with the team's summer focus to add centers to the roster, and won't be a significant fantasy contributor as a result.
Fiddler struggled as Dallas' third-line center last season, a role they hope to fill with Cody Eakin in 2012-13. Sliding down to the fourth line will limit Fiddler's minutes, making him unlikely to threaten the 10-goal level in 2012-13.
Fiddler inked a three-year deal with Dallas in the offseason, who no doubt will lean heavily on Fiddler in the faceoff circle as the third center. There's nothing to suggest much more than 30 points by year's end, but he'll play an important role in Dallas' defensive alignment.
During the 2009-10 campaign, Fiddler was able to find a permanent role on the Coyotes' fourth line. Even though his job was to allow the Coyotes' top lines to rest, and to make life difficult for the opposing team's forwards, he still served up 30 points (8G 22A); the only season that he had higher numbers was in 2007-08 when he played with the Predators. For 2010-11, Fiddler will be expected to play the same role and record around the same numbers. He will be lucky if he can break 35 points, and if he can do that, the team will be very pleased with the result.
Fiddler came to Phoenix as a free agent after spending the last four seasons in Nashville. Oddly enough, Fiddler has scored exactly 11 goals in each of the past three seasons, and he should provide a nice veteran touch to the third or fourth line in the desert. Fiddler is durable and consistent, something a Phoenix team that suffered torrid goal droughts and inconsistency in 2008-2009 needs.
Mr. Utility inched his perfromance up just a notch last season in Nashville. In his second full season on the roster, Fiddler posted 11 goals and 21 assists in 79 games last season. Given that he only made 97 shots on goal last season, Fiddler was very productive for the small offensive role that he saw. Fiddler's numbers won't change much in the upcoming season. Despite the opportunity for more playing time, he's too valuable in the utility role for the team. Fiddler's work ethic and hustle make him the ideal penalty killer and energy line player.
Mr. Utility played his first full season on the NHL level with Nashville last season. He responded by filling many roles with the Preds and even scoring a little along the way. Fiddler posted 11 goals and 15 assists in 72 games last season. Given that he only made 90 shots on goal last season, Fiddler was very productive for the small offensive role that he saw. Fiddler's numbers should increase in 2007-08 but he will still be a utility type player rather than a front-line offensive player. He will have limited fantasy value in only very deep leagues.
Fiddler saw his limited fantasy value muted when the Predators went shopping during the off-season and they bagged the two big guys Jason Arnott and Josef Vasicek. Fiddler had been working hard the last couple seasons to earn a full-time roster spot with the Predators and looked to be on his way until the latest free agency acquisitions. Fiddler may have some limited value again later on in his career, but not this season.
Scrappy forward who hit for 20 goals in '04-'05 for AHL Milwaukee. He won't get more than the occasional injury call-up with Nashville, but at some if he gets an extended look he could surprise, or at least become a fan favorite.
