Craig Adams

Adams led all Pittsburgh forwards in penalty-killing time (2:51), good for third on the team behind Brooks Orpik and Zbynek Michalek. He played in all 82 games and has missed only two contests the last three years. Adams registered 162 hits but compiled only 18 points (5G, 13A). The fourth-line centerman will continue in the same role for 2012-13, as the Pens will lean even more on his short-handed skills with Jordan Staal gone to Carolina.

Adams is a short-handed wizard who has potted more goals in three postseasons with Pittsburgh -- six in 44 games -- than he has in the last two regular seasons (four in 162 contests), combined. Despite averaging a little over 12 minutes of ice time, Adams amassed 171 hits and 64 blocked shots in 2010-11. The 34-year-old veteran can play wing or center on a third or fourth line but showed virtually no offensive production last year, even with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz all missing significant action.

Adams is a fourth-line grinder who scored zero goals in 2009-10. Adams, along with center Jordan Staal, were the only two Penguins players to suit up for all 82 regular season contests. Acquired for his veteran experience, Adams surprisingly netted a pair of goals in 13 playoff contests. The winger finished with an impressive 197 hits while leading all Pittsburgh forwards with 59 blocked shots, though he averaged only 11:05 TOI per game.

Adams is the classic veteran who helps on the ice more than in fantasy leagues. The 32-year-old forward collected just one point in nine games with Pittsburgh after coming over from Chicago, where he had six points in 36 points. The Penguins rewarded his rugged postseason play with a two-year, $1.1 million contract, but fantasy owners would be wise to avoid the low-scoring Adams.

Adams averaged under 11 minutes of ice time per game last season. He's a 31 year-old right winger whose best years are behind him. Avoid him in all but the deepest of leagues.

He's mired as a fourth-line player, and valuable fantasy commodities don't play on anybody's fourth line. Even if his playing time returns to previous levels, don't expect meaningful fantasy numbers.

Adams will likely continue in the role he established for himself with the Hurricanes, playing on a checking line and logging about 12-15 minutes per game. At 29, he is not a serious threat for a breakout season. His significant penalty-killing ice time may give him a few shorthanded goal opportunities, but he is not a major fantasy force by any measure.

If Adams makes the squad, he'll spend the majority of his time between the third and fourth lines. Not the scoring option he used to be, Adams shouldn't be a fantasy option for you at this point. With a few youngsters in the wings, Adams will have serious competition to make the team.