Zac Dalpe

Now associated with his fifth NHL organization, Dalpe scored 26 points in 35 games last year for AHL Cleveland but failed to hit the scoresheet in 12 games with the Blue Jackets, which offers a nice snapshot of his skill level. The 28-year-old has a solid all-around game and won't look out of place if pressed into regular duty in the NHL, but he lacks a standout trait that might allow him to thrive. Expect him to serve as center depth once again in 2018-19.

The 27-year-old journeyman will provide some depth up the middle for the Blue Jackets in 2017-18, but isn't likely to rise above a checking-line role when he is on the NHL roster and not in the minors.

Dalpe spent most of last season with AHL Rochester, scoring 28 points in 44 games and scoring another three points in 21 games with the Sabres. After signing with the Wild in the offseason, he'll have a much more difficult time cracking the lineup with Minnesota. Expect him spend most of his campaign at AHL Iowa.

Dalpe, who signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Hurricanes in July, played in just 10 games last season, notching a goal and two assists. In each of the last three seasons, Dalpe has spent over 50 games with AHL Charlotte and seen less than 20 games in the NHL, so it seems he will likely remain in a similar role this season. That said, with the departure of Tim Brent to the KHL, Dalpe may have a good opportunity to earn himself third- or fourth-line checking role with the team.

Dalpe recorded three points in 16 games with Carolina this season, spending most of his time with the organization's AHL affiliate in Charlotte. From a fantasy perspective, he is at least another year away from having any real impact. He's a talented offensive player, but has yet to find a defined role with the Hurricanes; he tallied 18 goals and 14 assists in 56 games with Charlotte (AHL).

Dalpe, a prospect of the Hurricanes, was frequently shuffled between AHL Charlotte and the parent club in 2010-11. The well-rounded Ontario native collected 57 points (23 G, 34 A) in 61 games with the Checkers, and three goals and an assist during his 15-game sampling of the NHL. As a young center, he’ll need to work on his skills in the face-off circle after losing 22 of 33 draws a season ago. Still, Dalpe will only get better with experience, and one can expect him to assume a bigger role with the Canes this season.

Dalpe will compete with a handful of other young roster hopefuls in what is expected to be a crowded training camp in Raleigh ahead of the 2010-11 regular season. One of the best traits of Dalpe is his versatility, with the potential to become one of the team's better two-way forwards in the future. He could afford to size up a bit, though that could be said about a number of young NHL prospects. Track his progress, even if he ends up needing more experience in the minors, because his natural ability to score goals and dish helpers is tough to ignore.

Dalpe is a prospect developing his game with Ohio State of the CCHL. The ‘Canes snagged the two-way player as recently as the 2008 entry draft (2nd round), so there is plenty of time for Dalpe to bulk up and gain more recognition.

He'll stay in college for the 2008-09 season. If you have a long term draft-and-follow league, he makes an intriguing pick.