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Sharks' Justin Braun: Sets new career high in blocks

Braun has set a new career high with 150 blocked shots. He also has managed a career-best 126 hits, but those are about the only two categories in which he steadily contributes for fantasy owners.

Sharks' Justin Braun: Dishing out more hits than ever

The rearguard has added triple-digit blocked shots (110) to complement his affinity for laying the body this year. Unfortunately, Braun's paltry nine points and basically non-existent power-play time seriously hinder his fantasy value in the vast majority of formats.

Sharks' Justin Braun: Scoring significantly less this year

The rearguard was able to put up an identical 23 points in each of the last two seasons, but has taken a major step back offensively in 2016-17. Where his game is developing, however, is on the defensive side of the puck, as his 84 hits and 82 blocked shots will attest. Braun had 95 and 140, respectively, last year, so perhaps the Sharks' coaching staff has asked him to take on more of a shutdown role. Nonetheless, his lack of scoring makes him a fringe fantasy commodity at best, even in leagues that count hits and blocks.

Sharks' Justin Braun: Scores insurance goal against Flyers

It was just the second tally of the season for Braun, and with only six points, 36 shots and a minus-3 rating, he doesn't provide a lot of fantasy value. Additionally, he entered Friday's game starting just 39.6 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone, which further hinders his upside.

Sharks' Justin Braun: Scores first goal of 2016-17

He's not much of a fantasy asset, as Braun now owns a mere five points in 29 games this year, and he doesn't contribute enough in the defensive stats to make up for that in specialty formats. At 29 years old, Braun's already probably about as good as he'll ever be, so there's no need to keep holding out hope for him if there's an interesting candidate on your waiver wire.