Nathan Gerbe

The 31-year-old last saw regular NHL ice time in 2015-16, but after signing a two-year deal with Columbus in March, Gerbe will look to win a spot in the bottom six in training camp, although he's probably destined for a job at AHL Cleveland. At 5-foot-4, he makes the other waterbugs on the Blue Jackets roster, such as Cam Atkinson, look like power forwards, and while he's shown occasional flashes of offensive upside during his career, for the most part his skating and hockey IQ simply haven't been able to compensate for his lack of size. At this stage of his career, it's hard to see that changing.

Apparently, the Rangers didn’t think Mats Zuccarello was small enough, as they went out this offseason and signed Gerbe – the smallest player in the league – to a one-year deal. It’s a curious acquisition, as the 29-year-old winger is coming off the worst season of his career, one in which he totaled only seven points in 47 games with Carolina. Perhaps the change of scenery will do him some good, but Gerbe has never been more than a modest scorer and isn’t likely to see more than fourth-line minutes accompanied by some power-play time.

If nothing else, Gerbe was a model of consistency last season, as his numbers in 2014-15 were almost a mirror image of his 2013-14 campaign. He scored just three fewer points (28 vs. 31), and recorded similar totals in PIM (34 vs. 36), shots, (235 vs. 221), power-play points (eight vs. seven) and average ice time (16:27 vs. 16:24). Gerbe is a high-energy player and works hard every shift. He has quickness, good playmaking sense, and loves to shoot the puck, but at 5-foot-5 and 178 pounds, he is one of the smaller players in the NHL and is often outmuscled by the league’s bigger bodies. Last season, Gerbe spent most of the year playing on the Canes’ second or third line, and is expected to assume a similar role in 2015-16.

After spending the previous five seasons in Buffalo, Gerbe enjoyed a very productive first season in Carolina. With 16 goals and 15 assists in 81 games, he matched the career-best 31 points he notched three seasons ago with the Sabres, and also saw his average ice time rise by almost four minutes per game (from 12:30 to 16:24) skating on the Canes’ third line with Patrick Dwyer and Riley Nash. Gerbe also set a new career-high in power-play points with seven, after not seeing any meaningful PP time the previous two seasons with the Sabres. After he re-signed with the Hurricanes on a two-year, $3.5 million extension in June, look for Gerbe to fulfill a similar role in the lineup for the upcoming season. For those of you in deeper formats, Gerbe represents decent fantasy value as a late-round selection.

Gerbe was an electrifying college player who has struggled to find his place in the NHL. Bought out by Buffalo, he gets another chance to stick in the NHL with Carolina.

Gerbe was lost in the shuffle during the 2011-2012 season, posting just 25 points in 62 games during an injury-plagued season. He is healthy to kick off his third full season, but it remains to be seen which direction his career will take. With Tyler Ennis stepping forward, Gerbe needs to outplay Cody Hodgson and Mikhail Grigorenko in order to avoid getting relegated to spot duty once again. He's likely in line for a 30-40 point season as he fights for relevance in a competitive lineup.

In late November of last season, fans were calling for Gerbe to get sent down to the AHL. He had only three assists in the team's first 18 games, and didn't score his first goal until December 21. A switch flipped for Gerbe after that, and he went on to the season that most expected of him right out of the gate. In the final 46 games of the season, Gerbe posted 29 points (16 G, 13 A), including a number of game-winners, and he also had a solid playoff series against the Flyers. In 2011-12, Gerbe should be expected, at worst, to hit the 20-goal plateau and chip in 20 assists.

Gerbe is a big reason for the Sabres organization comfortably cutting ties with Tim Kennedy. The pint-sized winger has averaged just under a point per game with Buffalo's AHL affiliate in Portland in his first two seasons as a professional. Gerbe is a mild breakout candidate in 2010-11 with the chance to lock down a spot on the third or fourth line with a good showing in camp.

This could be Gerbe’s year to make the Sabres’ roster. At only 5-6, this finesse forward makes up for is size with a strong build and great skating ability. Last season he received the AHL’s rookie of the year honors after a 30 goal and 86 point year. Although he struggled in the few games he played with the Sabres last season, the team is hopeful that he can get over his NHL jitters and provide some good depth to their forward line.

While he might not make Buffalo’s season-opening roster, Gerbe is a player to watch. The Sabres signed him to the rookie maximum contract in May after he totaled 122 points (64G, 58A) in three seasons at Boston College. Gerbe is a fast and skilled (though undersized) forward in the mold of Martin St. Louis and Derek Roy. Two of Buffalo’s top three centers are coming off significant injuries and several other Buffalo forwards are inconsistent and/or past their prime, so Gerbe might get a chance to make an impact in 2008-09.

Junior at Boston College.