Daley sustained a whopping six injuries in the 2018-19 campaign, further decimating what little fantasy value he had coming in. Mobile defensemen capable of logging big minutes always have a place in the NHL, but Daley's power-play role has diminished, and there are legitimate concerns about younger blueliners like Madison Bowey, Joe Hicketts and Oliwer Kaski stealing his thunder in Detroit. Daley's value to the Red Wings is not intrinsically linked to his yearly point total, but it's safe to assume that incumbent GM Steve Yzerman will hold the Canadian rearguard to a higher standard after he pitched in a mere nine points through 44 games last season
It took a while for Daley to find his bearings in Motown, as he recorded just one point (an assist) through the first two months of the 2017-18 campaign, but the sprightly journeyman ultimately uncorked nine goals -- including four game-winners and a shortie -- thanks to a robust 8.7 shooting percentage among 16 total points and 125 blocked shots. The Red Wings acquired Daley via free agency last July, putting him on the books for three years and $9.5 million during an otherwise quiet signing period for the cash-strapped club. He settled into a role as a penalty-killing specialist but still averaged 20:42 of ice time which was around the level of playing time he'd seen with the Penguins in the season prior. Overall, Daley remains a thrifty spend in deep fantasy leagues.
Strapped for cash heading into free agency, the Red Wings didn't make much noise when the market opened July 1, but they did scoop up a heady blueliner in Daley -- he'll make $3.18 annually on a three-year deal. The 33-year-old figures to see a modest uptick in minutes from his 20:23 average with the Penguins last season; a top-four role is pretty much a guarantee, and he may even form the top pair with Mike Green. Daley had just four man-advantage points over 1:38 of average ice time in a Penguins sweater last season, but the Wings ranked 27th on the power play and are desperate for answers. With 13 years of experience and two Stanley Cups to his name, Daley will be welcomed with open arms in Hockeytown.
When the Penguins traded for Daley last year, their fans were initially pleased merely with the addition-by-subtraction departure of slow-footed Rob Scuderi in the deal. That was until they realized that Daley’s a pretty decent player in his own right. The blueliner compiled 22 points in 53 games with Pittsburgh, including seven points on the man advantage. His speed on the back end fit nicely with the north-south game instituted by coach Mike Sullivan, but a broken ankle halted his Stanley Cup run in the fourth game of the Eastern Conference finals. However, Pens captain Sidney Crosby handed the Cup directly to Daley after winning it, honoring both the injured defender and his infirmed mother. The 33-year-old could begin to see his biggest asset – speed – decline, but he should be good for yet another of his 25-to-30 point campaigns. However, it’s a lot to ask for him to replicate the double-digit goal total he posted as a Dallas Star two years ago.
Daley has to be pinching himself right about now. Already coming off a career year in Dallas in which he delivered 13 goals and 38 points in 68 games, Daley is now a member of the defending Stanley Cup champs and will toil as a power-play specialist, just like the departed Brad Richards. That’s a pretty plum gig for a one-dimensional player. The Blackhawks will need to seriously shelter him at even strength -- Daley's atrocious in his own zone, pathetic in possession, and pitiful as an outlet passer. But none of that matters for most fantasy owners, so look toward a repeat of his numbers from last season, complete with a team-influenced improvement in his plus/minus.
The 2013-14 season proved that Daley is tough as nails and still has quite a bit of juice left in the tank. He recorded a career-high nine goals, added 16 assists and delivered a plus-10 rating. Daley came alive in a big way at the end of the year and that bled over into the playoffs where he scored two goals and three assists through six games. With the departure of Stephane Robidas and Aaron Rome, Daley will shoulder a little extra responsibility, including a likely gig on the first pairing with Alex Goligoski. He gets a bit of power play time, but also sees a significant amount of time on the penalty kill which could hinder his production. He'll turn 31 this season, but he's got a place as a 30-point, depth defenseman in many fantasy leagues.
Daley's name was believed to be dangled in trade talks during the summer, but all signs point to him remaining a Star for another season. The slick-skating defenseman remains stuck in neutral from a point-production standpoint, having recorded between 22 and 27 points in each of the past five seasons (last year's 13 points in 44 games would fit the same mold as well). He'll continue in his role as one of Dallas' main blueliners, alternating between the top and second pair on any given night. But don't expect a major offensive outburst at this point.
Daley continues to tease with occasional end-to-end rushes up the ice, showcasing elite speed from a blueliner, but his overall numbers tend to disappoint at years' end if you only just see the highlight reel. He's settled into the 25-30 point range and rarely sees time on anything above the second power play unit.
Daley will be a big part of Dallas' future after signing a six-year deal last December, and has proven to be a reliable 25-point/22-minute per game blueliner the past several seasons. He's really nothing more than that, despite a smoothness on the ice that would seem to indicate more offense is possible.
Daley has settled into the 25-point range, posting seasons of 24, 25 and 22 points the past three seasons. His speed and puck-moving game would seem destined to result in more offense, but it's never translated to such at the NHL level. He won't get a ton of time on the man advantage with Stephane Robidas and Brad Richards manning the point on the first unit.
Daley continued to see limited time on the power play despite Sergei Zubov missing virtually the entire season, often yielding to Stephan Robidas and either Mike Modano or Brad Richards on the point. He managed a respectable seven goals and 18 assists in 75 games, but had just one point on the power play all season. He remains a solid puck-mover, but doesn't see much time with the man advantage.
A lot has been expected of Daley after a junior career that featured loads of offense from the blue line, but Daley has failed to produce in that role in the NHL. An injury to Philippe Boucher opened the door a bit, but Matt Niskanen's quick emergence limited Daley's PP ice time again. He posted a modest career high 24 points, but he's unlikely to repeat that.
Daley hasn't shown the dazzling offensive prowess he displayed during his junior days, but he remains a solid defenseman on the penalty kill. Daley won't see time on the power play, limiting his offense to around 15 points a season.
Given a vote of confidence in the form of a two-year deal this offseason, Daley is expected to return primarily in a penalty-killing and puck-moving role on the Dallas blueline. Offensive skills from the minors haven't translated to the NHL, and a deep Dallas blueline won't give Daley much of a chance on a power play unit.
Major offensive upside here if he breaks camp with the Stars. Excellent skater and puck handler, he's the future of the Dallas power play along with Shawn Belle. Daley could see significant time on the power play unit this season, so watch his role this camp.
