Bruno Gervais

Gervais spent the 2011-12 season in Tampa Bay before signing with Philadelphia in July. Gervais’s struggles to stay healthy have resulted in two consecutive 50-55 game seasons with mediocre point production. Don’t count on Gervais for big fantasy numbers this year, as he is more of a defensive defenseman that takes care of business in his own end.

Gervais has untapped potential. He has to have something because he also has a lot of knocks against him. He's injury prone (he hasn't gotten through a full season yet). He's brutal -- sorry, inconsistent -- in his own zone (try minus-44 in his last three seasons and minus-60 on his career). And he's not exactly tough (thin on both hits and PIMs). But he can be creative with the puck and he skates well enough to be in today's NHL. Maybe he can tap into his offensive potential within Guy Boucher's system and beside a steady partner like an Eric Brewer or Mattias Ohlund. Watch and wait, and make him a waiver pickup. Do not use a valuable draft pick on him unless your league is the size of Australia.

Gervais is what he is, a solid defenseman who doesn't have much offensive potential, scoring only five goals in 146 games. If you're looking for a fantasy defender, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

Gervais enjoyed a career year in 2008-09 as he posted career-highs pretty much across the board: games (69), goals (3) assists (16), points (19), shots (82). That being said, his 19 points (and minus-15 rating) did not win anyone a fantasy championship last year. He has the potential to increase his points a bit as the team should improve, but unless you are in an extremely deep league, he does not need to be added to most cheat sheets. He is more waiver-wire pickup than draft-day hidden gem.

Various injuries (concussion, ankle, oblique) limited Gervais to 60 games this past season. He scored 13 points in 2007-08, which happens to be his career-high. There's no need to have him under fantasy consideration until he shows he's capable of producing at a high level.

Gervais played a career-high 51 games in 2006-07, but has yet to show some of the offensive flair he displayed in the OHL and AHL. He should make the team for 2007-08, but may be shuttled back and forth to the AHL since he has a two-way contract.

Gervais appeared in only 27 games in 2005-06, recording three goals and four assists. However, he will be expected to make the team out of training camp this year, and he may post decent numbers in a full season. He has had success in the AHL the past two years, posting a campaign of 30 points (76 games) in 2004-05 and then 41 points in 55 games last season. There will not be tons of pressure placed on him since the team has some decent depth at the position, so he should quietly go about learning the game and progressing towards one day (though not this year) being a top-four defensemen.

Highly skilled offensive defenseman. Gervais scored 30 points in 76 games in his first AHL season this past year. One of the top prospects in the system, he needs to get stronger physically and work a bit on his skating. Most feel the question for him is not if he'll make the NHL, it's when.