The Waiver Wire Shake-Up
The NHL regular season kicks off on Tuesday, but the real drama happened Sunday. Remi Poirier was claimed off waivers by the New Jersey Devils from the Dallas Stars, according to Daily Faceoff. This move shakes up the back end for a team that was already running with Jake Allen and Nico Daws.
Per reports, the Devils are taking a shot on Poirier despite his lack of NHL experience. He spent four seasons in the AHL with the Texas Stars. Last season, he posted a 27-19-8 record with a 2.61 goals against average. That .912 save percentage looks solid on paper. The Devils hope Daws becomes the starter later in the season, but Poirier is here to fight now.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues claimed defenseman Justin Barron from the Nashville Predators. Barron has 18 goals and 34 assists over 208 career games. He averaged 16:42 of ice time with the Predators. This is a clear upgrade for a Blues defense that needs help. The other 16 players placed on waivers cleared, meaning teams like the Rangers and Flames cut loose some depth pieces.
Colorado’s Bold Gamble
While teams shuffle rosters, the Colorado Avalanche are making a specific play for the top unit. The team signed undrafted free agent T.J. Hughes. He is a college player who never got drafted, yet he is now in line for prime deployment. Coach Jared Bednar confirmed that Hughes has made the team. Bednar also said Hughes will start on the first power-play unit on Wednesday night.
This is a massive opportunity for a player with zero professional history. Fantasy owners should keep a close eye on his production while he has this chance. The Avalanche are betting on upside over a safe veteran. If Hughes clicks, he could be a league-winner in deep leagues.
Fantasy Draft Realities
My own fantasy draft took place on Saturday, just before the season starts. It was a 14-team snake draft, which is not my favorite format. I focused on established producers early to build a safe foundation. Jason Robertson went in the first round because he offers goal-scoring ability and power-play time. Martin Necas was an easy target in the second round given his recent growth. Sam Reinhart went in the third round as I expect Florida to bounce back. I took a swing on Dylan Guenther in the fourth round, sacrificing some safety for young upside. He has the right eligibility to make life easy for managers.
The goal is to balance risk and reward before the puck drops. The waiver wire moves by the Devils and Blues show that teams are not sitting still. Poirier has a 27-19-6 record with a .912 save percentage in 52 appearances last season. Those numbers prove he can handle the pressure. Hughes is the bigger question mark, but the top unit spot is a golden ticket.
Fantasy managers who ignore these moves will pay the price when the season starts. The Avalanche are giving Hughes a chance to shine immediately. The Devils are looking for a goalie who can win now. Both moves are bold.
