Nicolas Deslauriers

A gritty forward in service of Gritty, Deslauriers is gearing up for his third campaign in Philadelphia and 12th NHL season overall. He recorded a goal, four points, 89 PIM and 188 hits in 60 appearances with the Flyers in 2023-24 while serving primarily in a fourth-line capacity. Although he can be a great source of PIM and hits, the 33-year-old forward isn't guaranteed to make regular appearances with the Flyers this campaign. The real possibility of him spending significant stretches as a healthy scratch makes it hard to recommend Deslauriers to even those fantasy managers in search of PIM and hits, though, at the very least, it's a situation worth monitoring because he would have considerable value to those fantasy managers if circumstances allow him to play regularly.

With 12 points in 80 games, Deslauriers' scoring production was right in line with his usual level in 2022-23. He did, however, find another level for physicality, racking up 306 hits and 136 PIM as a fourth-line regular in his first year with the Flyers. His never-back-down style also occasionally earned Deslauriers top-six assignments at even strength due to head coach John Tortorella's efforts to spark his team. Deslauriers is never going to score enough to be a factor in most fantasy formats, but he can pummel his way into relevance in banger leaguer. However, at age 32, his ability to out hit his scoring deficiences may not last much longer.

Deslauriers was relatively productive in his first year with the Ducks, amassing 13 points, 137 hits and a career-high 92 PIM in 59 games. The 29-year-old rarely fills anything other than a fourth-line role, but his gritty playing style suits that assignment well. Deslauriers hasn't topped 15 points in any season in his career, so it's safe to assume that's his point-production ceiling. He's also good for at least 130 hits and the occasional shorthanded point at times. Fantasy managers won't need to select Deslauriers on draft day, but he could be a useful addition in exceedingly deep formats, especially if injuries arise among other Ducks forwards.

Deslauriers appeared in 48 games with the Canadiens last campaign, notching two goals and five points while posting a disappointing minus-12 rating over that span. The 28-year-old vet will be a solid rotational bottom-six option for the Ducks in 2019-20, but he likely won't have a permanent spot in the lineup, and won't produce enough offense when on the ice to warrant consideration as a spot starter in fantasy circles.

Montreal's acquisition of Deslauriers flew under the radar -- and deservedly so -- but the fourth-line grinder turned in a very surprising offensive season for a team desperately in need of it. He notched a career-high 10 goals, 13.0 shooting percentage and generated 109 high-danger scoring chances, the most among the fourth-line regulars. It earned him a two-year contract extension, and his team-high 238 hits made him a Bell Centre favorite. The offensive output is way out of line with his career norms, plus his possession metrics indicate there was a bit of luck to his production. He'll likely reprise his role on the fourth line once ready to return from a facial fracture, but don't expect a repeat in offense when he's ready. Be satisfied with the hits.

Deslauriers notched just two assists in 42 games last year, serving as a fourth-line banger. The defenseman-turned-winger is a hitting machine, but unfortunately does not offer much in other aspects of the game. He'll play a similar role for the 2017-18 season, but if his production and consistency don't improve, he may not see much action with the Sabres. Deslauriers will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Deslauriers appeared in all 82 games in his first full season with the Sabres, scoring five goals and 15 points while becoming a mainstay on the team's fourth line as a tireless grinder. He's expected to build on his success in his sophomore year, where he should be able to contribute a little more offensively without sacrificing his style of play. However, with a glut of bodies up front, Deslauriers will have to prove he's worthy of a full-time spot once again.

Acquired in a late-season trade from Los Angeles, the converted defenseman provides some extra offense and size on the wing. The Sabres love his physical play, but there are other aspects of Deslauriers’ game that needs to improve. In 17 games with the Sabres in 2013-14, Deslauriers managed just one goal and finished with a minus-10 rating. Deslauriers won’t play a big role for the Sabres, if at all. He needs to get more comfortable playing as a forward and prove that his 18-goal performance in the AHL was no fluke.

Deslauriers was a huge disappointment last year in his first season away from the QMJHL, registering just 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) in 61 games after averaging nearly a point-per-game in the previous season. He entered the season as the team's best offensive prospect from the blue line behind Thomas Hickey, but will need to re-establish himself this year or risk getting buried on the organizational depth chart.

Deslauriers had another fine season in the QMJHL, recording 43 points (14 G, 30 A) in 48 games. He then lead all QMJHL blueliners in playoff scoring (5 G, 15 A in 24 games) as he took his team to the finals. He's the Kings' best offensive prospect among their blueliners behind Thomas Hickey and bears watching as he enters the pro ranks.

Deslauriers was selected in the third round of the 2009 Entry draft out of the QMJHL. The Kings are stocked with young blueliners so he'll have a hard time distinguishing himself within the organization. There's no reason to get excited here until he moves up a few levels.