Chiasson, Brunner, Hertl, Monahan, Setoguchi, Trouba

[Seeds of Grapes]

We only get two waiver wire picks a seasons, and they are costly. Most owners in our league wait until waiver wire deadline to draft them. Some owners take chances early. Sometimes it pays off (i.e. Kadri), sometimes not (i.e. Burnistrov).

I would like to grab at least one of these to help me this year; keeper potential would be bonus:

Chiasson, Brunner, Hertl, Monahan, Setoguchi, and Trouba.

I am leaning toward Brunner (simply a great opportunity). Shall I wait it out, or shall I pounce? Alternatives to Brunner?

Edit - add Jaden Schwartz to the list

[rataylor22]

I had all of those guys on my waiver wire as well (granted not the same waiver restrictions) and I choose TMNH. Hertl is also a top 6 player, and I prefer the linemates of Thornton and Burns to whoever is playing with Brunner (Loktionov and Zubrus? Clowe and Elias?)

[als_revenge]

I'd gamble on Hertl. If he keeps playing the way he is, and with the players he is, you soon will not get a chance to snag him.

I would not consider Chiasson or Setoguchi from that list, they seem to have the lowest potential, imo.

And just FYI: it's difficult assessing the "keeper" part, just because I've never seen a league that does keepers based on total points.

[Mattp913]

1. Hertl
2. Trouba

[HockeyHippie]

I grabbed both Hertl and Trouba already in our keeper league. I'm a huge Schwartz fan and his eventual LW eligibility (in Yahoo anyway, Hertl too) will be a bonus as well.

My only thoughts as to grabbing two players now as opposed to waiting would be if Drouin is available in your league and is called up to TB. Otherwise those 3 players listed above all seem to present benefits for this year and beyond.

Good luck.

[Thunder]

With only two moves, I'd wait beyond the first week.

If you just can't help yourself, I'd go with Brunner.

There's too much uncertainty surrounding the others right now. A lot of these kids seem destined to have bright futures and are even off to good starts, but if you're looking for help this year it's too early to figure out who will be keeping the pace over a very long 82-game season.

[pmkidd]

I like Hertl. I drafted him late. With only 2 ww picks its tough. I think I might wait and see if his good play continues. Getting some pp time. But I like his situation a lot.

[Seeds of Grapes]

With only two moves, I'd wait beyond the first week.

That's the dilemna. The prudent thing to do would be to wait, but the owners in my league may not be prudent.

[Axeman33]

I think I'd be holding off a little bit and let the dust of the new season settle a bit. I realize it's tempting to jump on an early flyer, but with your limited moves I think patience is the best option here. I am not saying to wait until you HAVE to use them, but simply letting the early season stink blow off a bit before jumping.

[Old_Smokie]

Hold off and let someone else acquire the risk. With only 2 moves all year what happens if you pull a major injury?

[BCFelony]

I would probably add Trouba and drop Lindback.

Trouba may be your second best dman going into next season and you already have a lot of youth with your forward group.

[Bass56]

I would make a move now, especially with your league format.

13 teams: top 8F, 4D and 2G count. 1pt G/A, 2pt W/SO. (I put the players I feel will not count towards your stats in brackets)
Protect b/w 375 - 400 points in a full season

F: P Kane, Spezza, RNH, E Kane, Hodgson, Little, Brown, Burns, (Weiss), (Drouin), (Nichushkin)

D: Suter, Campbell, Markov, Goligoski, (Leddy), (MacDonough)

G: Rask, Pavelec, (Thomas), (Lindback)


Hertl is the best player from the list, but with only 26 total moves (13 teams x2 moves =26), your league's managers have to be sure who to target.

I think you are more than OK on D, even if you stumble on a couple of injuries. Your goalies are more than fine as well, unless you have anyone available that is worth a pickup (I figure you don't cause you own Lindback )

If you are going to select anyone, it's gotta be a forward (especially if Burns can be considered a D). That being said, I do not see any guys coming out of nowhere this year (like Kadri last year), at least, not anyone that could be a free agent. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that using one of your 2 picks on a promising forward early on is a risky move, but it is also a CALCULATED move. As I said, your league has 26 moves, but there are not (and will not have) 26 quality players available throughout the year based on the Free Agents you've listed.

I would gamble on Hertl here to help you out (if Burns can count as a D) since he will most likely outpoint Weiss, Nichushkin and Drouin. Worst case scenario, you keep Burns as an F, but at least you know you have a top 6 player on your bench ready to fill in whenever.

You can use your last pick later on as a safety net, baring multiple injuries, but I think it's important to nab the hot players with potential early on as they won't be there later.

EDIT: this is coming from a Brunner and Chiasson owner

[Loki]

I know you may be gun shy after the Drouin debacle early in the season but I like Hertl's chances in SJ.

I'm also in a league where we have very limited moves...about 4 times per season (unless injury) so I can see your concern.

He's been productive in a brief period (very brief), getting top 6 play, has the draft pedigree, dual position eligibility, and SJ does a decent job of preparing these guys may be in line for more minutes if either Thornton or Marleau move on next season.

[als_revenge]

I will be quite sad if someone scoops up Hertl before you do...

[4horsemen]

Guess the shine has worn off Brunner around here

If the player you're grabbing here is for this year only I'm 100% going for Brunner. His opportunity in NJ is perfect, he'll be playing with good linemates and being depended on to shoot the puck (12 shots in 2 games!!). There's no chance he's sent down and next to no chance he won't be in a scoring role (they've paid him to score and there's little competition for the spot).

Trouba is a great d-man and I'm a HUGE fan but for this year I dont' think he'll help you enough. I have similar feelings about Hertl.

At the end of the day I'm simply asking myself this: Will ANY of these players potentially be keepers for me? If the answer is 'unlikely' then don't let the keeper factor affect your decision.