Stefan Noesen

Noesen's coming off a disastrous season that saw him record just eight points and a minus-19 rating in 41 games. The Devils chose not to serve him a qualifying offer following such a poor showing, sending him into unrestricted free agency. As of this writing, the 26-year-old forward is yet to latch on with another team, and Noesen's going to get a bottom-six role at best if he's in the NHL at all.

Noesen outperformed expectations in his first full NHL season, finishing with 13 goals, 27 points and a plus-12 rating over 72 games. His profile is remarkably similar to that of fellow Plano, Texas native Blake Coleman, as both are bottom-six forwards in their mid-20s capable of pushing for 30 points but not much more for the Devils. Both also play a high-effort style that's more valuable inside the NHL rink than it is in the fantasy realm.

Noesen, Ottawa's second pick in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, had a solid 2011-12 season in junior playing for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL, leading the team in scoring with 38 goals and 44 assists in 63 games and was a plus-18. Noesen was dynamite in the playoffs, notching 15 points (7G, 8A) in seven games before suffering a wrist injury which sidelined him for the remainder of the postseason. Noesen is likely another year or two away from seriously challenging for a spot in Ottawa's lineup, but he is an extemely hard worker who has gained both weight and strength since his draft year. He projects as a solid top-9 winger with top-6 potential who is tough to play against while also possessing a very underrated offensive game. 2012-13 should see him spend his final year in junior with Plymouth before moving on to Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Binghamton.

Noesen will spend the 2011-12 season playing for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL where he'll look to better his numbers from the previous year, when he exploded for 34 goals and 43 assists in 68 games. Ottawa's management has compared the 21st overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to Corey Perry in that he's big, strong, and plays with an edge while also showing some nice skill with the puck. Noesen projects as a power forward and is likely two to three years away from challenging for a spot with the Senators.