Dean Kukan

Kukan suited up for a career-high 25 games in the regular season last year before playing in all 10 of the Blue Jackets' playoff games, as injuries tested the depth of the team's blue line. While he doesn't offer much offense, the 26-year-old plays a smooth, confident game in his own zone thanks to plenty of experience overseas and in the AHL, using his size and passing skills effectively. A depth role seems the best he can hope for in Columbus, however. More highly touted prospects like Vladislav Gavrikov are banging on the door, and the club's top five defensemen are set in stone barring another rash of injuries. Kukan's contract should keep him on the roster, but not necessarily out of the press box.

Although Kukan only played in 11 games last season, he made enough of an impression on the Blue Jackets that they locked him up with a one-way, two-year deal in March -- all but assuring him a spot on the NHL roster. He's shown a little offensive acumen in the AHL, but his role with the big club will likely be that of a stay-at-home defender who uses his passing skills and sharp hockey IQ to clear the defensive zone with a minimum of fuss. Jack Johnson's departure does open up some minutes on the blue line, but the 25-year-old Kukan will have to fight off challenges from players with bigger prospect pedigrees such as Gabriel Carlsson to win a regular shift.