Brett Carson

Turning 26 years old this coming November, Carson signed on for two years with the Flames in June of 2011. He makes a good outlet pass, and put up 20 points in 38 AHL contests last season, but his fantasy prospects are limited until he can carve a full-time role on an NHL blue line.

Carson got his feet wet in the NHL last year by playing in 54 games with the Hurricanes. An expanded role is on tabs for Carson in 2010-11, as the promising defenseman earned a one-year, two-way contract with the 'Canes in the offseason. Despite the "two-way" provision of his contract, he's reportedly expected to spend most of the upcoming season in the NHL. With Carson, the 'Canes have a responsible and well-rounded defenseman, but his upside with the puck figures to be limited.

Carson squeezed into the Hurricanes lineup for five games in the 2008-09 season. Unfortunately, it proved to be tough sledding for the defensemen based on his lacking a single point and having gone minus-3 in those contests. ‘Canes GM Jim Rutherford has made it abundantly clear that he wants to feature a bigger roster than in year’s past, and conveniently, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Carson could stand to see more than a handful of games this time around. Expect Carson to flip-flop between the Albany River Rats and the NHL’s Hurricanes.

The big rearguard had a solid season in the AHL, but will probably be behind at least two other players in the injury callup pecking order.

He has a slim chance for some NHL-level ice time, in the event of an injury to one of the Hurricanes' rearguards. Don't count on any fantasy value, though.