Sheldon Brookbank

Brookbank was one of the few pickups by the Blackhawks in the offseason and could be one of the big pluses for the 2012-13 season. One of the team's missing ingredients last season was penalty killing and that's what they are looking for from Brookbank. He should be able to deliver a mirror image of his last year with the Ducks, so 12-15 points, 100+ of both hits and blocked shots, and maybe even 100 PIMs could be on tap.

Brookbank, entering his sixth season for the Ducks, isn't exactly known for his scoring ability. In 40 games last year he didn't have one point but tallied 63 penalty minutes and a minus-8 rating. However, the 30-year old defenseman has been known to mix it up with the opposition. He doesn't much fantasy value but provides stability if the Ducks wish to carry eight defensemen.

Brookbank started 2009-10 as the seventh defenseman and a healthy scratch. Head coach Randy Carlyle made a lineup switch on December 3 and benched Steve Eminger in favor of Brookbank. He never left the lineup and went a plus-14 in 56 consecutive games. For 2010-11, he could be slotted as the sixth defender on a roster that has depth issues at the position. He is not an offensive-minded defensemen, but a solid-blueliner who is focused on hitting and defense.

Brookbank is not someone any fantasy owner should be looking at. At best he is a third pairing on defense with little to no offensive upside.

Brookbank came to Newark in the middle of the season and was brought in to beef up the blueline. He didn't manage a goal but had 63 penalty minutes in 63 games. It would be nice if the Devils could let him get involved more, as Brookbank showed some offensive flash in the AHL while in the Nashville organization with seasons of 35 and 56 points. If he starts to produce, he's worth a look in very deep leagues that count PIMs.

Perhaps the Predators' best young tough guy is going to likely spend a second straight season in Milwaukee. Brookbank posted a whopping 232 penalty minutes with the Admirals last season, but also showed some offensive prowess by racking up 35 points in 73 games. Brookbank could get the call from the Preds this season, but probably just for brief injury relief.

Brookbank is a depth defenseman who should spend most of the year in the AHL.