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Porter spend much of time in the minors last season, seeing only 12 games for Buffalo and scoring a point in the process. He is a depth center for Detroit and will likely start the season at AHL Grand Rapids.
After earning a mid-season call up, Porter posted nine points in 31 games last season. All but two of those points came during a seven-game stretch in April, so he was otherwise ineffective on the score sheet. He doesn’t seem to fit any particular role at the NHL level, but will nevertheless have a nice opportunity to grab a bottom-six role again this season. Despite a promising 14-goal campaign in 2010-11 with the Avalanche, Porter should not be a player of interest for fantasy leaguers on draft day.
Porter signed with the Sabres as a free agent in July, and could benefit from the change of scenery after struggling in Colorado last season. After potting 14 goals two seasons ago, he regressed to just four last year and has yet to find traction at the NHL level. He will have a chance to earn a role with the Sabres, but the uncertainty certainly isn't worth the risk on draft day.
Porter, who re-signed with the Avalanche in July, had a decent year last season, establishing career highs in games (74), goals (14), assists (11) and points (25). Porter is a versatile forward with enough offensive ability that he can sub in on either of the Avs' top two lines if needed, as evidenced by the 1:37 he averaged playing on the team's second PP unit. However, if the Avs can stay healthy this season, Porter's role will likely be limited to that of third-line player, with occasional spot duty on a scoring line. He has limited fantasy appeal outside of very deep leagues.
Porter was acquired from Phoenix last season in the Peter Mueller/Wojtek Wolski deal. Following the trade, Porter split time between Denver and Lake Erie of the AHL, but did see action in four postseason games in the Avs' first-round matchup against San Jose. Previously, Porter was a scoring star at the University of Michigan, but has been used primarily in a checking role since then. He will be expected to challenge for a spot on the Avs' fourth line this season.
Porter, another Michigan Wolverine in the Phoenix organization, enters 2009-2010 as the Coyotes' fifth-ranked prospect on
hockeysfuture.com. If Porter can win a starting position out of training camp, this could be a breakout season for the ex-Wolverine. He's perfectly suited for the fourth line, as he's a great two-way player, but he can also put the puck in the net.
The Coyotes' fourth-round pick in 2004 has been learning his trade through the University of Michigan, where he had an outstanding collegiate career. The Hobey Baker Award winner had his best year in a collegiate sweater in 2007-2008 with 63 points (33G 30A) in 43 games. He skated with the Coyotes' AHL affiliate San Antonio Rampage towards the end of the 2007-2008 campaign and scored four assists in seven games. He has solid upside and could be the surprise of the Coyotes in 2008-2009.
