Michael Nylander

Nylander has had a rough couple years in Washington and things do not appear to be getting any better. After a great start to the 2007-08 season he suffered a season ending injury and then battled to get in the lineup in 2008-09. Rumor has it that he may be finishing his career overseas, so make sure that he is not on your radar in your fantasy league.

After starting last year with 37 points in the first 40 games, the veteran center suffered a season ending shoulder injury, giving others the chance to showcase their skills, which is exactly what happened. He is making top line money and could possibly drop to the third line this coming season. Nylander should still be a valuable asset to the Caps on any line he plays, but do not count on much, if any power play time. His health is the main concern coming into this season.

Nylander thrived skating on a line with Jaromir Jagr the last two seasons -- ironically enough with a chemistry the pair did not demonstrate in their previous stint together in Washington in 2002-03 -- as he picked up 49 goals, 113 assists and a plus-43 rating in 160 games and topped his point totals from each of the previous 11 years of his career. He’ll skate on the Caps’ top line and power play unit next to another talented winger in Alexander Ovechkin, and shouldn’t be too far off his more than point-per-game pace of the previous two seasons. Washington’s goaltending and defense won’t be quite up to par with the Rangers’, however, so Nylander will probably see a dip in his plus-minus rating.

Nylander anchors the Rangers’ most potent line, centering superstar Jagr to his right, and speedy Straka to the left. In 2005-06 he had a career high in points (79) and assists (56) while staying fairly durable suiting up in 81 games. There’s no reason why this can’t continue in 2006-07, so target him in the late rounds of your drafts and start him with confidence.

Heavily courted by many teams during the offseason, Nylander chose to pack his bags to New York with a chance to re-ignite his career with the most explosive player in the world, Jaromir Jagr. How many players can turn down that offer? Expected to start the season on the line with Martin Straka and Jaromir Jagr, the line has the potential to be explosive; but in order to see that through, everyone needs to stay healthy and develop camaraderie early.