Tim Schaller

An unheralded free-agent addition last summer, Schaller managed to carve out a bottom-six role with the Bruins in 2016-17, notching seven goals and seven assists in 59 games. The 6-foot-2, 201-pounder possesses extremely limited fantasy upside, but his blend of toughness and a little bit of skill makes him a player who can retain a role with the big club this season, so long as he fends off the challenge presented by the team’s incoming crop of forward prospects.

Schaller, the former Hockey-East Defensive Player of the Year, was the most improved Sabres prospect last year at AHL Rochester, scoring 15 goals and adding 116 penalty minutes, both career-highs. He was rewarded with 18 games of duty with the Sabres, but looked out of place while skating in limited minutes. He'll likely begin the upcoming season in Rochester to further prove that last season was no fluke. Schaller is a good defensive player who is developing a scoring touch, but he’s not expected be a significant contributor with the parent club this season.

Schaller was a defensive wizard for Providence College and completed his first pro season with a respectable 11 goals in 72 games with AHL Rochester in the 2013-14 season. A strong two-way player who can play wing or center, Schaller is a long shot to make the Sabres' lineup, but if he continues to improve, he may get receive a call up down the road. He’s expected to stay in Rochester for much of the 2014-15 season.