Week Five Waiver Wire Wisdom

It has finally happened. Connor Hellebuyck is now a New Jersey Devil, with a blockbuster trade between the Devils and the Jets transpiring last week. It’s a tough time to be a Jets fan. While the return was good, there simply is no replacing Hellebuyck. He’s been the best goalie the city of Winnipeg has ever had. That being said, you have to be excited for Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils. This move launches them in the mix of contenders. If Hughes can stay healthy, the Devils can do some serious Damage in the east. If you took a chance on Hellebuyck in your draft, or bought-low on him in a trade, you’re about to reap the rewards.

The return of Hellebuyck is great news for the entire NHL. You never want to see superstars miss any time. Unfortunately, there are currently some good goalies set to miss some time. Jacob Markstrom, Logan Thompson, Devon Levi and Linus Ullmark are all out with injuries. Here are a few options of goalies you can stream if your looking for replacements.

Target: Darcy Kuemper (37% Rostered on Yahoo)

A few weeks ago, Darcy Kuemper was a goalie to avoid on Waiver Wire Wisdom. Since then, the Los Angeles Kings have mostly struggled. They have only won two out of their first nine games played. However, both of those wins were games that Kuemper played, and they came in his last two starts. With four games this upcoming week, Kuemper is a no-brainer target if you’re looking for a goalie to stream. The Kings have plenty of talent. With Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe and some good young players like Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke, it shouldn’t be long before the Kings start stringing together some wins. If a manager gave up on Kuemper early, this is a perfect week to scoop him up.

Target: Jacob Fowler (65% Rostered on Yahoo)

Jakub Dobeš (74% Rostered on Yahoo) was a very popular goalie heading into this year. We all saw what he did in the playoffs last spring. His play was incredible, and his raw interviews and aggressive style of play quickly endeared him to fans. This season has not gone Dobeš’ way so far. He has mostly struggled in the games he has started, and his last start against the San Jose Sharks was arguably his worst one this season. Dobeš got called for interference in overtime on a no-danger play. There was no reason to take that kind of penalty, especially at that point in the game. Macklin Celebrini and the sharks quickly made him pay, with a Celebrini overtime game-winner on the power-play. Dobeš is a young promising goalie, but so is Jacob Fowler. Fowler has been good in every level of hockey that he has played, including this year in the NHL. He is coming off consecutive wins, and is gaining the coaching staff’s trust more and more. With a three game week coming up, Fowler will likely start two games. He has given us no reason to doubt him, and he might just surpass Dobeš as the 1A earlier than expected.

Target: Dan Vladar (44% Rostered on Yahoo)

Another Goalie who was one to be avoided early on was Dan Vladar. The Flyers had a horrid start to the season. While they are not out of the woods yet, Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras have found their game as of late, and the flyers finally have some good things going for them. Vladar has stringed together three straight good-quality starts and has won his last two games played. Don't forget that the Flyers made the playoffs last year, and are loaded with young talent. They are much better than they have looked so far this year. The Flyers play three games in week five, starting with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday October 27. If Vladar can find his form from last season, he is a must start in all formats.

Avoid: Joey Daccord (34% Rostered on Yahoo)

Joey Daccord has been the number one goalie in Seattle for the last three years, and he has been solid. This year, things feel a little different. Philipp Grubauer (26% Rostered on Yahoo) has played more games than Daccord so far, and Grubauer has been impressive. He has won four games out of seven starts and seems to be taking over as the 1A goalie. The Seattle Kraken only play two games in week five, on Wednesday and Friday. Daccord seems to be losing his grip on the starter role. Daccord is definitely a goalie to avoid streaming in week five. Even beyond this week, you will likely find better options on the wire. Look elsewhere for now.

One of the best goalies so far this season has been Pyotr Kochetkov. What’s so special about Kochetkov? He likely went undrafted in your league, and was picked up on waivers. There are more Kochetkovs out there. Keep scanning your waiver wire. Goalie trends are constantly changing, which means there is always new value to be found in the crease. Will Kochetkov keep impressing, and completely take over the crease in Carolina? How long will Montreal sit Dobeš until his next start? What will the Devils look like with an elite goalie? Can Tristan Jarry hold down the fort in Edmonton while Devon Levi and Freddie Andersen recover from injuries? Let's see in week five.