One of my favorite late round grabs is Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins. He doesn’t typically show up among the league leaders in any category, usually falling just out of range for those scouting for the top players. I’ll admit that even as a hockey junkie, I was surprised to see Bergeron has already played eight seasons in Boston. That has to be the quietest 400 points anyone has scored in NHL history.

Bergeron is front and literally center for the Bruins these days, anchoring their top line and finishing among the top on the team in scoring. While young star on the rise Tyler Seguin led the Bruins in scoring and headlines in general last season, Bergeron was quietly putting together his best statistical season in over four years.

There are few players in the NHL that play as complete a game as Patrice Bergeron, playmaker on offense and shutdown center in the defensive zone. Always among the league leaders in face-offs, Bergeron has had only one season in eight where his plus/minus dipped into the negative.

He is one of the regulars on the Boston power play and is probably a top five penalty filler in the entire NHL. The Quebec native is a sooth fluid skater, who plays an intelligent and not overly physical game. His first option is almost always to pass, but Bergeron isn’t afraid to pull the trigger, topping the 20-goal mark four times.

While I hate to bring any more attention to him than I need to, mostly for my own selfish drafting reasons, Patrice Bergeron can be a difference maker on your fantasy roster. The Bruins have been ranked in the top five in scoring over the past three years and you can find Bergeron’s name there with great regularity.

Look for the Bruins and their explosive offense to play with even more of a chip on their collective shoulder once the season begins. Motivation from a first round playoff loss and another year of experience could see the Bruins and their top center contend for the Stanley Cup once again.