Fringe Forwards: Pros and Cons

[Michael Amato]

When picking forwards in the later rounds it is important to focus on specific areas that your squad may need upgraded. Maybe there is a guy whose all around game may not be attractive but they can really help you out in the power play or penalty kill department. Maybe someone doesn't have sparkling numbers but they have a strong plus/minus.

Sometimes you can find someone that can even help you in multiple areas and you begin to question why they are still available. Here are five forwards that you may find floating around at the end of your draft.

Bobby Butler - OTT

Why you should take him

Butler can put the puck in the back of the net as was evident in his first pro season last year. He had 22 goals in 47 games with Binghamton before being called up to Ottawa where he added ten more in 36 games with the Sens. He also added 13 goals in 23 playoff games while helping Binghamton to the Calder Cup.

Butler also sniped 29 times in just 39 games in his final NCAA season at the University of New Hampshire in 2009-10. There is a very good chance with the Senators in a full rebuild that he will get plenty of ice-time this season.

Why you should be cautious

He is still relatively young and consistentcy could be an issue until we see a more full body of work. His PIM aren't very high and the Sens will most likely struggle next season making points and a plus rating hard to come by.

Colby Armstrong - TOR

Why you should take him

Armstrong is a gritty forward that can hit and score. If he plays a full season he could easily be good for 20 goals as well as over 100 hits. He has proven in junior and also in the AHL that putting the puck in the back of the net is not an issue but injuries at the NHL level have hampered his scoring touch.

He is also good for your PIM category as he plays a physical style and is not afraid to drop the gloves. With a predominantly healthy season he should be able to produce 70-80 minutes in penalties.

Why you should be cautious

In his seven seasons as a pro, he has really only been able to stay healthy for three full seasons, missing significant time in the others. His reckless style of play can lead to a lot of missed time and you searching the waiver wire.

Tomas Holmstrom - DET

Why you should take him

Holmstron potted 18 goals last season and ten of those came on the power play, tying him for the Wings lead in that category. He also ranked third on the team in power play ice-time and second among all Detroit forwards.
His presence in front of the net alone is enough to keep his scoring touch going and his feistyness can help your PIM out as well.

Why you should be cautious

He was a minus player last season for the first time since 2001-02 and although he can still score, his goal totals as well as his point totals have been on the decline for the now 38-year-old. Holmstrom has also not played 80 games in a season since 2005-06.

Michael Frolik - CHI

Why you should take him

Scoring 21 goals in each of his first two National Hockey League seasons should prove Frolik can score and add some depth to your roster. He also loves to shoot the puck as was evident by his team leading 219 for Florida in 2009-10. His plus-10 rating for the Panthers in 2008-09 proved he can be responsible defensively, even on a weak team.

Why you should be cautious

The troubling thing about Frolik is that when he arrived in Chicago in the middle of last year's season, his production dropped considerably. He was only able to muster three goals and nine points in 28 games down the stretch for the Blackhawks. His ice-time will be significantly less than it was in Florida so watch out for that.

Steve Downie - TB

Why you should take him

Downie's 22 goal and 208 PIM performance in 2009-10 had fantasy owners everywhere drooling about his potential. This year injuries limited him to just 57 games, but that didn't stop him from putting up 171 PIM and a plus-8 rating which led the Lightning. When healthy Downie can score as well as provide a big boost to your hits and PIM categories, while giving your power play a slight upgrade also.

Why you should be cautious

Downie has a temper and can get off his game easily. He has received two major suspensions over the the course of his career that has seen him miss substantial time.

[Dobber]

I wouldn't consider Downie a fringe roto forward, and Frolik's numbers perked up considerably once Bolland was put on his line. Otherwise, solid piece

[Magicstew]

You also can look at forwards who can slip into the top 6 on a team or some older players.
Knuble, Korpikoski, Parse, Condra.

They guys could get some top line action.
Good topic as these are the guys that can win you a draft, the late round fillers.

[Pengwin7]

Almost a great piece.

I'm a fan of presenting both sides of player predictions... but you should also go out on a limb and tell us which direction you are going.

One extra paragraph per player would have made for an A+ piece.
*Why you should take him
*Why you should be cautious
*What I'll be doing...

One thing I love about Dobber & Angus is that they put their necks out there by making their predictions.

Mmmm - I like that.