Scott Walker

Walker seems destined for the fourth line, from which scorers simply do not emerge. At 35 years old, he is hardly a breakout candidate.

Walker is more likely to play the role of enforcer than scoring star, and even at that, he won't accumulate enough penalty minutes to make most goon lists. We expect fairly typical numbers for a third-line winger. Our forecast assumes he'll stay healthy, but keep in mind that he seldom does that; he has averaged just 55 games played over the past five seasons.

It's just too tempting to call Walker's situation with the Hurricanes a "perfect storm." He is coming off an injury-riddled campaign with the Preds; lands on a very powerful team where he'll be paired on the second or third line with capable scorers and passers; and has the opportunity and the skills to put up big numbers. He won't catch Carolina's big names in the scoring race, but 60-65 points isn't an unreasonable expectation. An excellent sleeper pick.

A bruising power forward, Walker's style of play makes him susceptible to injury but when he stays off the shelf he's capable of being a force (25 goals, 67 points and 94 PIM in 75 games in 2003-04). Rather than head to Europe, Walker took it relatively easy during the lockout (playing in Canada's OHA, the hockey equivalent of baseball's independent minor leagues) and as a result should be healthy and rested for the coming season, and ready to post similar numbers to his 2003-04 totals.