David Desharnais

Much maligned during his time with Montreal, Desharnais finally moved on to a new franchise via trade in February of 2017, but his 18 games with Edmonton yielded just four points. July saw him sign on with the Rangers, and he'll occupy a fourth-line role behind three much more effective centers on Broadway. A skilled passer when he's at his best, Desharnais may carve out a bit of power-play time, but his fantasy appeal is quite limited.

Montreal’s favorite whipping boy enters the final year of his contract coming off his worst statistical season. It started well for Desharnais, centering a low-pressure third line, but things got dicey during the Habs’ December slide, as head coach Michel Therrien stuck him on the first line with Max Pacioretty. Whatever chemistry those two had in the old days appears to have dissipated, as both players’ production suffered. Nevertheless, Therrien kept running the undersized center out there both at even strength and on the power play. He scored just 11 goals, averaged a career-low .45 points per game, and failed to reach 100 shots. Of course, Desharnais has always been better known for his playmaking ability than his goals, but he had a mere 18 assists in 65 games. Despite the limited production, he averaged nearly as much ice time as the up-and-coming Alex Galchenyuk. Look for the veteran to occupy a spot on the third line this season, with Habs fans hoping Therrien can resist the urge to use him as a top-six forward.

The slick-handed Desharnais turned in a another solid season last year, generating 48 points as well as a plus-22 rating while playing 82 games for the first time, but his fantasy game has a lot of shortcomings. His point total is always assist-heavy -- he scored just 14 goals last year and has a career high of 16 -- and he doesn't contribute much in other categories, as he doesn't take many penalties, has never put 100 shots on goal in a season, and doesn't offer many hits or blocks, either. While Desharnais currently remains in a top-six role for the Canadiens, if Alex Galchenyuk turns last year's big improvement into a full-on breakout -- a strong possibility -- it could be Desharnais who finds himself bumped out of the picture. On the flip side, Galchenyuk could stay at the wing and play alongside Desharnais, which would have the opposite effect. Despite the wide range of possible outcomes, Desharnais has established a solid floor that makes him a safe and relatively inexpensive draft-day investment.

After signing a four-year contract in the off-season, Desharnais endured a horrendous drought early in the year and barely held onto his spot as a top-six forward. Sometime around late November, he started to make an impact offensively and never stopped. He was second on the team with 36 assists and continues to be the center on a line with Max Pacioretty, Montreal's most productive goal-scorer. A similar role in 2014-15 is envisioned for Desharnais.

Desharnais took a step back in 2012-13, scoring just 28 points while finishing at minus-2 in 48 games for the Canadiens. He had been part of Montreal's only good line the season before when he scored 60 points, but the undersized center appeared overmatched at times, especially in the playoffs against the giants on Ottawa's blue line. Still, the Habs like him enough and re-signed him for another four seasons. DD's good on the dot and has a proven rapport with Max Pacioretty, the team's leading goal scorer the past two seasons, dating back to their time in the AHL. He'll return as a top-six center.

Desharnais continued his development with Montreal, earninig a larger and larger role as the season wore on. He eventually dislodged Tomas Plekanec as the as the center on the first line, showing good chemistry with team-leading goal scorers Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole. Desharnais is a trusted player, who takes faceoffs and plays on both special teams units; his 17 assists and 20 points on the power play led the team. Head coach Michel Therrien will keep the top line together to open the season but there will be a top-six spot for Desharnais should the coach feel the need to restructure his lines.

The 24-year-old Desharnais played significant minutes for Montreal in 2010-11, registering eight goals and 22 points in 43 games. Desharnais showed an ability to create offensive chances from any line, skating with various combinations, and was a trusted man on faceoffs. He played well enough to earn more than the 12:52 of ice time he averaged, but his size works against him. Montreal coach Jacques Martin was comfortable using him on both special teams units and had him with the second line at times, but he mostly skated on the fourth line. With a full season at the parent club and continued use on the power play (four PPG last year), Desharnais could push the 20-goal mark.