Eric Daoust looks at some players on cheap deals who can help your fantasy team out.

This week we continue a multi-part series that will cover many NHL players who are delivering good fantasy numbers at a bargain price in the shortened season. Obviously, the team that wins a league with a salary cap is the one that gets the best value out of every dollar allocated to its roster. This will include players who have a cost that is near the league minimum. Getting the most out of them can go a long way towards improving your chances of winning.

The focus will be put on players who have a cap hit under $1 million for at least this year and next year. Some have real potential to be scoring line players for years to come while others are shorter-term solutions that can still give your team a boost in the proper setting.

Gabriel Bourque (LW) – Nashville

2012-13: $618,333
2013-14: $775,000
2014-15: $775,000

Gabriel Bourque is posting excellent numbers for an underdog player but should be avoided in most points-only leagues. He is far more effective in multi-category leagues where his combination of goals, hits and blocked shots along with respectable plus-minus, power play points and shots make him an excellent combo depth player. Unfortunately his offensive upside is limited so there is a chance that he is at his peak already but at such a low cap hit until 2015 his contributions cannot be ignored.

Matt Frattin (RW) – Toronto

2012-13: $925,000
2013-14: $925,000

One of the many good stories for the Toronto Maple Leafs this year, Matt Frattin has taken a big step forward towards establishing himself as a scoring threat for years to come. He missed time with a knee injury but has been a factor on the score sheet when in the lineup despite only being on the ice for about 13 minutes per contest and not being involved on the power play. His combination of points, hits and shots on goal along with an eventual opportunity on the power play make him a guy worth owning in any league.

Matt Read (RW) – Philadelphia

2012-13: $900,000
2013-14: $900,000

Like Frattin, Matt Read is a player worth owning in any league format although he offers a lot more in terms of peripherals. Earlier this season he was producing at a clip near the point-per-game mark while on the top line next to Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. Now that Scott Hartnell has returned from injury, Read finds himself lower on the roster and as a result we have to bring down expectations.

Nick Bonino (C) – Anaheim

2012-13: $700,000
2013-14: $700,000

Nick Bonino is a depth player in the NHL who only has value in roto leagues. His blocked shots rank third among all forwards and the respectable combination of goals assists, shots on goal and faceoff wins make him a balanced multi-category asset. There are some who believe that he may be able to elevate his offensive game one day which adds to keeper league value.

Patrick Dwyer (RW) – Carolina

2012-13: $625,000
2013-14: $900,000
2014-15: $900,000

Patrick Dwyer is similar to Bonino because he needs the multi-category league format to have value. None of his stats jump out but if you combine his 12 points with a strong presence in hits and blocked shots along with a surprising 53 shots on goal you have a well-balanced contributor. Having a cap hit under $1 million until 2015 gives fantasy teams excellent flexibility.

Ryan Carter (C) – New Jersey

2012-13: $775,000
2013-14: $775,000

Sticking with good depth roto players, Ryan Carter is enjoying the best season of his NHL career. His 10 points are already a personal best. Add in 17 PIM, 27 hits and 40 shots on goal and you have an underrated player who can contribute in a few areas. Just be careful for formats that count faceoff wins if he is listed as a centerman only.

Eric Gryba (D) – Ottawa

2012-13: $562,500
2013-14: $562,500

Eric Gryba has been a key contributor on a Senators' squad that has continued to win despite several injuries to star players. He is not the most gifted offensive player but provides an excellent combination of hits, blocked shots and penalty minutes. His 30 shots on goal in just 16 games is a very surprising total for a defender. If he continues to find the net it will only add to his roto league value and will greatly increase his chances of scoring more goals than most people would think.

Korbinian Holzer (D) – Toronto

2012-13: $575,000
2013-14: $787,500
2014-15: $787,500

Korbinian Holzer has quickly established himself as a rugged defenseman in Toronto and his play translates into numbers that are useful in fantasy hockey. Like Gryba, he offers an excellent combination of penalties, hits and blocked shots. He signed a two-year extension but has struggled since then and has seen his plus-minus sink rapidly to its current mark of minus-12. As a result he currently finds himself back in the AHL so there is risk in owning him right now. If he can reclaim his spot in the NHL and fix his plus-minus he will be a solid depth contributor with a cap hit of less than $1 million until 2015.

Previously from Daoust:

• Cheap NHL Labor – Part 1
• Dealing With Expensive Slumps