Some cheap options to fill out your fantasy roster…

As the hockey season nears its conclusion, trades and contract signings continue to make news. With keeper leagues currently in offseason mode, there is no better time to improve your roster while some of your rivals are asleep at the wheel. Here are some players who recently signed new contracts that can help you in salary cap leagues:

Patrick Bordeleau (LW – COL)

Cap Hit: $1,000,000
Years: 3

The hulking winger finally secured an NHL spot at the age of 27 and made the most of his opportunity. In 46 games he scored five points which is decent for an enforcer along with 70 PIM and 116 hits. His new three-year pact gives him a chance to become one of the more productive fighters in multi-category leagues provided that he is able to keep his point totals up. Still, his excellent contributions make him a strong value player given his cap hit that is well below the league average.

Colton Orr (RW – TOR)

Cap Hit: $925,000
Years: 2

Colton Orr is another big winger who brings a lot of toughness to the lineup. He is not as gifted offensively as Bordeleau having never scored more than six points in a season. However, his PIM totals are matched by few. Additionally, Orr provides a lot of hits and also blocks more shots than most enforcers. Being in Toronto under head coach Randy Carlyle certainly helps his chances of sustaining his current numbers.

Michael Raffl (LW – PHI)

Cap Hit: $792,500
Years: 1

With the Philadelphia Flyers set to buy out Daniel Briere along with other pending changes following a lousy season, there is an opportunity for some new faces to land spots on the main roster. One example is 24-year-old forward Michael Raffl who just completed a point-per-game year in Sweden.

Raffl is close to average size and plays with a bit of an edge which should help him fit in with the Flyers. If he lands a spot with the club, he could have an impact similar to Matt Read a couple years ago. In a deep league he is worth a farm position.

Ian Cole (D – STL)

Cap Hit: $825,000
Years: 2

After three years of part-time duty, Ian Cole is ready to take the next step and land a permanent roster spot in St. Louis. In 67 career NHL games he has 11 points, a plus-9 rating, 67 PIM, 58 hits and 86 blocked shots. That gives an idea of what to expect next year in his first full NHL season. In points-only leagues he is probably irrelevant but in multi-category leagues he has value immediately and could become quite potent should he improve his point totals to the 25-30 point range.

Patrick Mullen (D – VAN)

Cap Hit: $600,000
Years: 1

Patrick Mullen is unknown to most people  but the upcoming changes in Vancouver to adhere to the lowered salary cap ceiling presents a rare opportunity for players in the organization. He signed a two-way deal so nothing is guaranteed but his 41 points in 71 AHL games suggests that he could come out of nowhere and land a roster spot much like Andre Benoit in Ottawa.

The downside to Mullen is that he is 27 years old and undersized. If he does make it, the team can pull the plug on him at any point and send him down if he stumbles. Keep an eye on him in leagues that allow dropping him without penalty should it not work out.

Christopher Nilstorp (G – DAL)

Cap Hit: $725,000
Years: 1

A year ago poolies were looking at Christopher Nilstorp as a dark horse to secure a full-time NHL job. Today, he finds himself in the same position, having recently signed another two-way deal with the Dallas Stars.

The good news is that the hype has certainly died which makes him much easier to acquire. The upside is that he could win the backup spot behind injury-prone Kari Lehtonen in the fall. The downside is that he could be forced to play another year in the minors. In leagues that have farm positions he is definitely worth a gamble as he could be productive immediately.

Previously from Daoust:

• Cap Breakdown: the Central Division
• Cap Breakdown: the Atlantic Division
• Cap Breakdown: the Pacific Division
• Cap Breakdown: the Northeast Division

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