Observations:

October 2014 – With more maturity and experience look for Cole to be a healthy scratch less frequently. Last year he only suited up 46 times for the Blues. He is a dark horse to be a valuable depth defenseman in deep multi-category leagues this year. Eric Daoust

February 2014 – Cole has successfully made the transition to the Blues full-time. At this time he is a depth defenseman and will probably never be more than a moderate scorer at the NHL level. However, he is continuing to show signs of becoming a dependable multi-category blueliner. Eric Daoust

September 2013 – Ryan Whitney was released from his tryout contract which helps Cole’s chances of staying on the Blues’ main roster. Eric Daoust

August 2013 – Jay Bouwmeester just signed a five-year extension. With Alex Pietrangelo expected to sign a multi-year extension soon, the Blues will have seven defensemen signed to one-way deals for the next two years, with one of them being Cole. This does not affect his chance of making the team – he will probably be the team’s seventh defenseman – but Bouwmeester’s signing will make it difficult for him to climb the depth chart. Eric Daoust

June 2013 – Cole once again played the 2012-13 campaign split between the NHL and AHL. In 67 career NHL games he has 11 points, a plus-9 rating, 67 PIM, 58 hits and 86 blocked shots. This gives an idea of what he could produce in the near future now that he has likely transitioned to the Blues full-time after signing a two-year contract extension. The agreement carries a cap hit of $825,000 which gives him excellent value in salary cap leagues. Eric Daoust

January 2013 – Cole is currently becoming a regular on the St. Louis roster as the seventh man. The Blues decided he was a much more viable option than Jeff Woywitka who was placed on waivers and assigned to Peoria. St Louis has been building an offensive powerhouse of a franchise and Cole’s numbers should swell when he gets opportunities to play. He produced 14 points in 34 AHL contests during the lockout which put him and Mark Cundari as front runners to recalls when the Blues required depth. Had the Blues not signed Wade Redden his value would have grown even more. Jason Banks

May 2012 – Ian Cole has good size and a solid all-around game. With good showings in limited time with the Blues, Cole appears to be ready to handle the NHL game. Expect Cole to start in the AHL, or as the Blues #7 option, as solid depth is keeping him on the outside looking in. Cole will make a solid NHL player at some point. Ryan Goddard

Fantasy Outlook: C+

Ian Cole has the ability to produce limited points in the right situation with the potential to operate the second powerplay unit. Cole does have decent penalty minute potential with 57 penalty minutes in his first 52 NHL games, his value will increase in leagues that count hits and penalty minutes.

Footage:

Cole VS Ferriero.

{youtube}0jRYshKIQiI{/youtube}

Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.