Kris Beech

Depth centerman won't make much of an impact in Columbus.

The Caps re-acquired Beech, whom they originally traded for Jaromir Jagr a few years ago, in a deadline deal for Brendan Witt. He was the seventh overall pick in 1999, but hasn't lived up to his promise, tallying only 30 points and a minus-29 rating in 109 NHL games over the last five seasons. Beech did, however, tear up the AHL last season, finishing the year with 64 points in only 58 regular season games, topping that off with 14 goals and 14 assists in 21 playoff games. He has little more to prove at that level, and with the Caps extremely thin at center, Beech will likely fight it out with Brian Sutherby and Brooks Laich to see who will center the team's second line in 2006-07. If he lands that role, Beech could be a nice fantasy sleeper this season.

He had a decent rookie season for the Penguins in '01-'02, but has looked like an AHL lifer ever since. A new organization might get him new opportunitites to break back into the NHL.