The 2023-24 regular season is here, which means that fantasy hockey has started. Fantasy hockey managers now have their rosters set, but as we all know, sometimes changes are needed. The waiver wire is a great tool for this, as you add steals who were overlooked in drafts. The first week of the season provided us with some notable waiver-wire goalies to consider. Let’s discuss three of them now.
Waiver Wire Goalies to Consider for Week 2
Mackenzie Blackwood, San Jose Sharks
Are we witnessing Mackenzie Blackwood’s revenge season? It seems possible. After some rough seasons with the New Jersey Devils, the club traded him to the San Jose Sharks this summer. Yet, this may end up being a great move for Blackwood, as he has been magnificent for San Jose. In his first start, Blackwood saved 51 out of 52 shots, sporting a ridiculous .981 SV%. Thus, he’s a waiver-wire goalie to watch.
If you avoided Blackwood in your fantasy hockey draft this year, it is very understandable. He is coming off very poor back-to-back seasons, posting a .892 SV% and a .893 SV% respectively. However, the former starting goalie seems to have found his form in his season debut, and he is a clear waiver-wire goalie to consider taking a chance on because of it.
Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues
Boy, Jordan Binnington started the 2023-24 season on the right foot. The St. Louis Blues starting netminder was nothing short of excellent. In his first two games, he saved 63 out of 65 shots, which equates to a .969 SV% and a .092 GAA. This was wonderful to see, as he is coming off back-to-back bad seasons. Last season was particularly atrocious, as he had a .894 SV%. Yet, his great play makes him a clear waiver-wire goalie to consider.
After Binnington’s poor 2022-23 season, he naturally was not among the top goalies to choose in fantasy hockey. As a result, there is a good chance that he can be had in your fantasy leagues. Although he certainly could take a step back in the coming weeks, his hot start could be an indicator that he is ready to recapture his 2019 form. As a result, why not take a look at this waiver-wire goalie candidate?
Petr Mrazek, Chicago Blackhawks
Petr Mrazek has also been off to a great start for the Chicago Blackhawks this season. After his first two starts of the year, Mrazek sports a .935 SV% to go along with a 2.54 GAA. This is wonderful to see, as he has had a rough few seasons. He had a .888 SV% in 2021-22 and then a .894 SV% last season. Yet, he is showing signs of his previous form in this young season and is now a waiver-wire goalie to consider because of it.
Not too long ago, Mrazek was a quality starter, and one has to wonder if his strong start is an indicator that he’s ready to bounce back. Due to this and the Blackhawks having a stronger roster now, he is an underrated waiver-wire goalie to take a flier on for your fantasy hockey team.
Alas, we will need to wait and see how these three waiver-wire goalies perform this upcoming week and onward. After their first weeks, one has to be optimistic about them.
Are you on board with Michael’s goalie recommendations? You can also check out defensemen who might be available on your fantasy hockey waiver wire.