Marcus Pettersson

While the Penguins are judged based on playoff performance, which doesn't bode well when you miss the postseason for a second straight year, Pettersson quietly put together a career year in which he set new personal bests in nearly every statistical category. That included goals (four), assists (26), points (30), shots on net (106), plus-minus (28) and average ice time (22:40). The 28-year-old blueliner even recorded the first game-winning goal of his eight-year NHL career. Billed as a shutdown defenseman, the puck-moving blueliner is never going to be confused for his offensively-gifted teammates Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang. Still, Pettersson should continue logging big minutes even without a power-play role and has shown he is capable of producing 25-30 points with added value in formats that value hits and blocks.

Despite missing 14 games during the 2022-23 season, Pettersson was able to produce a career year. He set new career bests in several categories, including points (24), hits (133), blocked shots (131) and PIM (58). The 27-year-old blueliner also averaged a career-high 20:35 of ice time. Pettersson was limited to one goal and has yet to score more than two goals in any of his six NHL campaigns. ​​He's never been very impactful on the offensive end and won't provide any extra help with the man advantage. Pettersson's value comes from his physicality, making him a viable option only in deeper fantasy formats.

The Penguins decision to trade Daniel Sprong to Anaheim for Pettersson a few years ago was widely panned at the time, but it ended up working out for Pittsburgh. The big Swede has become a reliable depth defender for the Pens, killing penalties and averaging 15-plus minutes of ice time per game. Pettersson, now 26 years old, has never posted more than 25 points in any one season and has basically no fantasy value, but he's a useful piece for the Penguins.

Pettersson managed a second straight 20-plus point campaign while being tasked with increased responsibilities, including the penalty kill, as he averaged a career high 19:24 of ice time last year. The puck-moving blueliner won't be tasked with contributing much offensively while playing alongside John Marino, so he could struggle to put together another 20-point season in 2020-21, especially with the shortened schedule. If Pettersson does log power-play minutes, it figures to be with the second unit, which won't significantly increase his fantasy value.

After putting up just six assists in 27 games with Anaheim, Pettersson went on a tear after being traded to the Penguins in December, notching two goals, 17 helpers and 72 shots while recording a plus-13 rating and 49 PIM in 57 contests. The big-bodied defenseman came into the league as a defensively-minded player, but it appears that he has the ability to chip in offensively as well. The 23-year-old Swede should be capable of challenging the 30-point mark in 2019-20 and figures to earn a spot on the No. 2 power-play unit, giving him solid mid-range fantasy value.

Pettersson arrived in North America from Sweden and needed little time to prove he could hang at the pro level. The 22-year-old notched 14 assists in 44 games for AHL San Diego before being called up to Anaheim after a slew of injuries. With the big club, Pettersson accrued one goal and three apples (one on the power play) in 22 games, and the Ducks played him for all four playoff outings as well. The adjustment was made easier by his 6-foot-4 frame, and Pettersson is expected to start the season on the Ducks' bottom pairing with too low of a ceiling for fantasy owners to take a shot at.