Slater Koekkoek

Koekkoek appeared in 22 games with the Blackhawks last year after joining the team via a trade in January, notching one goal and four assists while posting a plus-4 rating over that span. The 25-year-old will likely be fighting for Chicago's a rotational role during training camp, but even if he's able to secure a spot on the Opening Night roster, he'll likely struggle to crack the lineup on a regular basis. Koekkoek can safely be disregarded in all fantasy formats.

Koekkoek played 35 games with the Bolts last season, but the arrival of Ryan McDonagh pretty much relegated him to the pine. And while the Bolts re-signed the 2012 first-round (10th overall) pick over the summer, Koekkoek is unlikely to see playing time in the NHL in 2018-19. He could be the Bolts' seventh man or spend most of the season watching from the media box. Either way, there is no fantasy value here.

Koekkoek (pronounced coo-coo) was a first-round pick in 2012, yet after three seasons of pro hockey he's played just 41 NHL games. He has struggled with injuries his entire career, but he's also spent most of his time in the minors. The 2017-18 season looks like his time to complete a full campaign in the big league. His fantasy contributions will likely be few and far between this season, but if the 23-year-old can prove he's developed at the lower levels, he may find himself climbing the depth chart.

Koekkoek (pronounced coo-coo) must think it's Groundhog Day. The kid's last year in junior ended early with a third consecutive, season-ending shoulder surgery. Yes, that's right - three seasons, three surgeries. The rest of the tools - skating, skill and size - are still there, but at some point, you have to wonder if he's too fragile to play in the NHL. He did look good before this last injury and the Bolts' director of player development Stacy Roest described him "as the best defenseman in the OHL". He's ticketed for Syracuse of the AHL where he will need to spend a couple seasons making up for lost development time. Once again, keeper leaguers should play watch and wait - you don't want to use up a roster spot on him yet.

Koekkoek (pronounced coo-coo) has outstanding fantasy potential … that is, if his injury history isn't a foreshadowing of an ugly future. He missed most of the 2011-12 season after shoulder surgery, but thought he had things "fixed." Nope. Part way through last year, it became clear the first surgery had failed and he underwent a more radical surgery in the spring that involved titanium screws, bone immobilzation and permanent reduction of range of motion. He should be ready for training camp and the docs say the surgery shouldn't limit him on the ice. But his development is behind and he'll spend 2013-14 with Windsor in the OHL. Still, he has it all -- size, skill and smooth, smooth wheels, particularly for a big man. He still has a chance to be a star, but we want to see how that shoulder holds up. Check back in a couple seasons.

The sky’s the limit for this offensive defender. That is, if he’s healthy. Koekkoek (pr. Coo-Coo) missed more than 40 games in his draft year due to a torn labrum in his shoulder. If he’s fully healed, he could actually be one of the best two-way defenders of the 2012 draft and a real steal (he was the 10th overall selection). He’s big, poised with the puck and extremely mobile, and his first pass is one of the best of the draft. His compete level is also high and that bodes well for his NHL future as a possible top-pairing, scoring defender.