Stafford was in training camp on a PTO and signed Friday morning after it was announced that Jesper Bratt would miss 2-3 weeks with a fractured jaw. Stafford is not expected to suit up in the Devils season opener on Saturday.
Bratt suffered a fractured jaw after he was hit in the face by a puck that deflected off of the crossbar during Thursday’s practice. With Bratt out, the team signed veteran winger Drew Stafford to a one-year deal after playing on a PTO during training camp. Stefan Noesen is expected to move up into the top-6 in the Devils’ season opener with Bratt sidelined.
In 2018, Lundqvist failed to win 30-plus games for the first time in his career. The veteran was 26-26-7 with a 2.98 GAA, .915 SV% and two shutouts in 61 starts. The 36-year-old’s game is starting to deteriorate as he gets older and the Rangers will likely be one of the worst teams in the NHL this season, limiting his upside. He draws a terrible matchup on opening night with the Predators in town.
During his age-35 season, Rinne started 59 games games and won 42 games while posting a 2.31 GAA, .927 SV% and leading the NHL in shutouts (8) and goals saved above average (27.5). Rinne enters the final year of his contract, so they could turn to Juuse Saros if Rinne struggles early-on. He should be able to get off to a good start as he faces a below average Rangers team.
After being limited by injury in both 2016 and 2017, Howard started 57 games for the first time since 2012. Howard was 22-27-9 with a 2.85 GAA and .910 SV% and is a risky fantasy option this season behind a young Red Wings team. He was 0-0-2 while allowing six goals on 73 shots (.918 SV%) against the Blue Jackets a year ago.
Wagner was a minus-1 and failed to record a shot in 13:10 TOI during his Bruins debut on Wednesday. The Bruins lost 7-0 so they will make some changes tonight, mainly Anders Bjork replacing Wagner on the fourth line.
Bjork sat out as a healthy scratch during the Bruins 7-0 loss to the Capitals last night, but will draw in for Chris Wagner tonight in Buffalo. Bjork had 12 points (4G / 8A) in 30 games with the Bruins last season.
2018 was the first time Dubnyk has not started 60-plus games during his three years in Minnesota. However, he still won 35 games and carries a 2.36 GAA and .920 SV% over that three-year stretch. Dubnyk is not the flashiest name on the fantasy radar, but he is one of the most consistent and his team is one of the best at limiting scoring chances against. Pencil him in for another solid year.
It is still hard to believe what the Vegas Golden Knights were able to accomplish in their first season. Marc-Andre Fleury was on-fire when healthy, posting a 2.24 GAA and .927 SV% in 46 appearances. Entering the 2018-19 season, Vegas likely won’t repeat last year’s efforts but Fleury should remain in the No.1 fantasy netminder conversation as long as he is healthy.
Raanta was arguably the best goalie in the NHL during the second half of last season and comes into 2019 looking to drag the young Coyotes back to the playoffs. The team in front of him is not very good, but if Raanta was able to win 46 percent of his starts with a 2.24 GAA and .930 SV% last year, he’ll be a great fantasy option this season.
In 2018, Lundqvist failed to win 30-plus games for the first time in his career. The veteran was 26-26-7 with a 2.98 GAA, .915 SV% and two shutouts in 61 starts. The 36-year-old’s game is starting to deteriorate as he gets older and the Rangers will likely be one of the worst teams in the NHL this season, limiting his upside. He draws a terrible matchup on opening night with the Predators in town.
Murray had a tough time with injuries last season. He was started under 50 games for the last two seasons and is tied for 19th in SV% (.915) and 23rd in GAA (2.66) over that stretch. Tonight he faces the Capitals, who smashed the Bruins 7-0 last night. Murray was 2-2-0 with a 3.01 GAA and .899 SV% against Washington last year.
Callahan has been cleared to contact but nothing has changed in the timetable for his return. The veteran winger is not expected to be back until November, so expect Cory Conacher and Adam Erne to remain on the Lightning fourth line for the time being.
Hartman was moved to IR retroactively to September 21, so he is eligible to come off of IR for tonight’s season opener. Hartman had 11 goals and 20 assists (31 points) in 78 games between the Blackhawks and Predators last year and will start the season on Nashville’s fourth line.
Anton Forsberg suffered an injury during the Blackhawks morning skate, so Delia has been called-up to serve as Cam Ward’s backup. Delia was 17-7-2 with a 2.72 GAA and .900 SV% in 28 games with the IceHogs last year.
Forsberg had to be helped off of the ice during the Blackhawks morning skate and will not be available to backup Cam Ward tonight. Forsberg will eventually be the Blackhawks’ No.3 netminder when Corey Crawford is healthy. Colin Delia will meet the team and serve as their No.2 in Ottawa.
Bailey didn’t skate this morning, but head coach Barry Trotz said there is a “0.0% chance” that he won’t play tonight. Bailey is coming off of the best season of his career (18G / 53A / 71P) and will start the year on the top line with Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier.
Hellebuyck has quickly become one of the best goalies in the NHL, leading the league in games played (67) and wins (44) last year while posting a rock-solid 2.36 GAA, .924 SV% and six shutouts. Hellebuyck could very well lead the NHL in wins again this season with a high-powered Jets offence playing in front of him.
