Sheldon Dries

Dries was one of a handful of players to benefit from more playing time with the Canucks last season. He produced 17 points in 63 games, both career highs, while chipping in 84 hits, 40 blocked shots and 94 shots on goal in a bottom-six role. At 29 years old, expecting a big uptick in offense is a lot to ask from Dries, but he may be able to retain a regular role in the lineup for a team that has a lot of question marks regarding depth and experience. Fantasy managers won't need to pay him much attention unless he can find his way onto the power play again -- he had five points and averaged 1:27 of ice time per game with the man advantage in 2022-23.

Dries was limited to just five NHL games in 2019-20, failing to record a point a year after notching six points in 40 outings. The 26-year-old spent most of his time with AHL Colorado, where he generated 21 goals and 14 assists in 50 games. Dries seems like a perfect candidate for the taxi squad in 2020-21 -- he has some NHL experience, but the Western Michigan University product is a little older than a true prospect, so the organization won't feel the need to seek out featured playing time for him in the minor leagues. Either way, it would take multiple injuries with the big club for Dries to draw into the lineup on a regular basis in 2020-21.

Dries is an intriguing Avalanche prospect who gained prominence with Western Michigan University. The physical forward wore the 'C' for the Broncos in his final three seasons, totaling 84 points (44 goals, 40 assists) over 148 games of his collegiate career. Dries turned pro and pitched in 19 goals and 11 assists for AHL Texas last year, and a slew of late preseason injuries point to the 5-foot-9, 179-pounder getting a chance at hockey's highest level to start the 2018-19 campaign.