Erik Cole was considered one of the premier power forwards a few short years ago and his heroic return to the Carolina line-up after his serious neck injury helped the Hurricanes win their first and only Stanley Cup.  The question now; what kind of player is Erik Cole going to be going forward.  Many fantasy hockey managers have held onto Cole waiting patiently for him to return to that 30 goal 29 assist level he reached four years ago.  On that note, Cole put up those numbers in just 60 games so that’s 59 points in 60 games or a point a game pace.

The trade to Edmonton was a disaster, there’s no other word for it.  Craig MacTavish had no idea how to use the charging bull and he never got things on track.  A return to Carolina seemed just the tonic to get Cole back on track, and he put up 15 points in 17 games to finish the year in the comfortable confines of Raleigh.  Despite flashes of his former self Cole is a player who plain and simple has lost his confidence.

Key line-mate Eric Staal has also been a shadow of his former self in the past couple of years, leaving many to question whether that 100 point season was a one-off.  The coaching staff in Carolina has been patient with Cole, and not just out of loyalty.  6’2”, 205 lbs. wingers are hard to find, especially ones who skate like players much smaller.

There is a key to Cole’s game that has returned and that is his physical game.  When Erik is playing well he is hitting everything in sight, and that physical contact is what gets him into a game.  In just 22 games this year Cole has registered 58 hits.  That is a good sign because his hit totals had been in decline over the past three years.

This season has been a complete write-off for Cole.  Most players struggle with their timing when they are out for long stretches and Cole is certainly no different.  He’s not the kind of player who makes those around him better, but is the perfect complement to someone like Eric Staal and their past chemistry has been undeniable.

Most fantasy GM’s have given up on Cole and with good reason.  That makes him a prime under the radar candidate.  If the talented 31-year-old can start next year healthy and stay healthy there is absolutely no reason he can’t recapture his old form.  He’s gone from a must pick in all pool formats to a forgotten man.  Put him on your draft chart and when you get down to those players you know aren’t going to get you 40 points, come on you know the ones, roll the dice on Cole because 50 – 60 points is not out of the question and he has the tools for more.  It could be the end of Cole power, but I’m just not convinced.