Tom Poti

Poti has really taken a back seat to Mike Green and his offensive talent and his fantasy value has dipped considerably. During his time playing opposite Green his offense fell off. Poti will become a more defensive blueliner with the young guns this team has to score. Look for him to lose power-play time in the final years of his contract, and let’s hope he will be ready to start the season after suffering an eye injury that left him temporarily blind in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Poti missed 30 games last year due to injury, and playing alongside the young star Mike Green has affected his ability to take more chances as Green has showed his ability to put up points. He will continue to play opposite Green on the power play and will get his chances, but not too many. Last year he recorded only 13 points and he seems content with letting Green handle the offensive activity. Do not expect much out of him this coming season. He has low to mid-level value for a fantasy defenseman.

Poti led the team in ice time last season, but his point total may not of been as expected. Playing alongside the young star Mike Green has affected his ability to take more chances as Green has showed his ability to put up points. He will continue to play opposite Green on the power play and will get his chances, but possibly not too many. Last year he recorded the least amount of shots since his rookie campaign and he seems content with letting Green handle the offensive activity. Although his stats took a hit, he still managed 29 points, but don’t expect much more out of him this coming season. He has mid-level value for a fantasy defenseman.

Poti had a renaissance of sorts last year with the Islanders, tallying over 40 points for the second time in his career and first time since the 2002-03 season while quarterbacking the power play (all six of his goals and 26 of his 38 assists came with the extra man). He will again occupy that role with the Capitals alongside Alexander Ovechkin, Michael Nylander and Alexander Semin, who totaled 112 power play points last season, and will be the only Washington defenseman draftable in most leagues.

Poti has posted just one season with more than 35 points. While he does not put up gaudy stats, he will help on the power play and chip in anywhere from 25 to 35 points.

Returning for his 3rd full season, Poti will serve as the No.1 defenseman in what otherwise is a young group of blueliners. Though his offense prowess is never in doubt, his defensive lapses leave something to be desired; alot of times he’ll focus on trying to generate scoring chances on his unit that he'll forget his defensive assignments. Something he definitely needs to improve on if the Rangers are to be successful. If he can become more consistent all around, Poti has a chance to become a top-tier blueliner this season, but with little help around him, it’ll be interesting to see how it effects his development. Poti had 10 goals and 14 assists in 2003-04 for New York, despite missing 15 games with injuries. He was an All-Star in 2002-03, when he set career highs with 37 assists and 48 points.