Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Despite entering just his seventh NHL season, Aube-Kubel will be suiting up for his fifth NHL club after signing a one-year deal with Buffalo this offseason. In 60 outings for Washington last year, the hard-working forward dished out 159 hits but was limited to a mere six goals and 10 assists. Given his lack of offensive upside, the 28-year-old Alberta native is unlikely to find fantasy managers fighting over his services. Even his hits don't drastically increase his value when you consider it's not paired with large numbers of blocked shots or PIM.

A quiet start to the year saw Aube-Kubel waived by the Maple Leafs after six scoreless appearances. The Capitals picked him up, and he played in 33 of the team's last 36 games while earning a one-year contract extension. Overall, he produced 12 points, 117 hits, 67 shots on net and 40 PIM in 53 contests last season. Aube-Kubel has rarely seen anything more than fourth-line usage in his career, and he'll have to continue battling for that if the Capitals opt to give any prospects a chance in 2023-24. Fantasy managers in most formats can leave Aube-Kubel on the draft board.

Originally a second-round pick of the Flyers (48th overall) in 2014, Aube-Kubel began last season in Philadelphia before moving on to Colorado. He won a Stanley Cup with his new team, finishing the year with 11 goals and 23 points in 74 games. He was in and out of the lineup during the postseason. The Avalanche were reported to be interested in re-signing NAK, but he ultimately agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with Toronto. Aube-Kubel should again battle for bottom-six minutes with his new club, which isn't a fantasy-friendly proposition.

Aube-Kubel took a step back in 2020-21, registering just 12 points and 120 hits in 50 games a year after posting 15 points in 36 contests. The 25-year-old forward hits like a wrecking ball, which is a double-edged sword in fantasy -- he'll likely be limited to bottom-six usage barring injuries to the Flyers' top six. The Alberta native probably won't do enough to bump Cam Atkinson off Philadelphia's second line, so Aube-Kubel shouldn't be expected to see much more than 13 minutes of ice time per game. As such, don't expect much more than 25 points, although he could supplement his fantasy value with 150 hits and 70 PIM as one of the Flyers' grittier players.

Aube-Kubel became a semi-regular for the Flyers in 2019-20, notching 15 points and 82 hits in 36 appearances. Impressively, three of his points came on the power play -- not bad for a forward who typically saw fourth-line usage at even strength. Aube-Kubel isn't expected to get much more than bottom-six assignments in 2020-21, either, which will limit his exposure to high-quality scoring chances. That said, the 24-year-old made the most of his chances last year and could challenge the 20-point mark in the abbreviated 56-game campaign. Nonetheless, fantasy managers should be cautious with NAK given the uncertainty surrounding his role heading into the year.

The Flyers second-round pick from the 2014 draft will be a welcome addition to the big club once his game matures. A sparkplug on the ice, Aube-Kubel's high-intensity game would be welcome on any third line in the NHL. He is only 18, though, and still needs to add bulk to be able to play his style of game successfully among the best in the world. It is expected that he will rejoin Val d'Or in the QMJHL to complete his third year in junior and will look to start his professional career next season.