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Top James Wisniewski News
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James Wisniewski: Seeking NHL return
Wisniewski will try and sign an NHL contract after the Olympics, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.
Even though Wisniewski was given a PTO with Tampa Bay and a chance with AHL Chicago following the ACL injury he suffered in 2015-16, he isn't calling it quits for North America's top league just yet. He's been playing in Germany with the EC Kassel Huskies in 2017-18, notching 44 points (nine goals, 35 assists) in 35 games, and will try and use the Olympics to showcase his skills to NHL suitors. Head coach Tony Granato did praise his shot following Team USA's practice, and if a team needs a right-handed defenseman for its second power-play unit, the 33-year-old could receive an offer.
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James Wisniewski: Inks deal with German club
Wisniewski signed a contract with the EC Kassel Huskies in Germany on Wednesday, TSN reports.
Once a fantasy relevant power-play quarterback, Wisniewski sustained a devastating ACL injury Opening Night of the 2015-16 season for the Hurricanes, and hasn't played in an NHL regular-season contest since. He did find his way into 21 games for AHL Chicago to supplement 16 more appearances with the Vladivostok Admiral of the KHL last season, but it looks as though he's content trying out the various leagues overseas.
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Blues' James Wisniewski: Signs PTO with AHL Chicago
Wisniewski signed a 25-game professional tryout contract with AHL Chicago on Thursday, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.
Wisniewski gets another crack at an NHL roster, but he will have to impress in the AHL first before getting a call to the big club. The 32-year-old put up four points and 39 penalty minutes this season for the KHL's Vladivostok Admiral, so he'll likely be looking to make his mark as an enforcer if he can get a chance with St. Louis.
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James Wisniewski: Headed to KHL
Wisniewski has signed a contract with the KHL's Vladivostok Admirals that includes an NHL out clause, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.
Wisniewski has yet to play a 70-game season in the NHL and, despite the out clause in his deal, that's not likely to change with this move to Russia. He's completely off the radar for fantasy purposes.
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Lightning's James Wisniewski: Released by Lightning
Wisniewski was released by the Lightning on Sunday, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Wisniewski was with the Lightning on a professional tryout agreement and despite optimism about potentially making the final roster, it appears Wisniewski will have to look elsewhere for work. The 32-year-old defenseman missed a full year after undergoing ACL surgery, so he could still be shaking off some rust and may find another team willing to give him a shot.
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Lightning's James Wisniewski: Shaking off rust
Wisniewski has shown his vision and passing ability at Bolts' camp, but he's still shaking off the rust after missing a full year after ACL surgery. "His reads sometimes are just ... it's based on rust and indecision on how we like to play," said associate coach Rick Bowness. "But for the most part, his positional play is good. He's where he's supposed to be. You've got to keep in the back of your mind he's missed a lot of time (and) he's coming off a very serious injury. You just have to be a little bit patient there."
Wiz played 19:49 Saturday against the Preds and picked up an assist. He'll be a bottom pair guy if he makes the final roster for the Bolts.
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Lightning's James Wisniewski: Good fit on power play if he can make team
Wisniewski, who played just one game last season due to an ACL injury, says "this is probably the most excited I've ever been coming into a training camp" even though he's entering the season on a tryout agreement, reports the Tampa Bay Times.
"(General Manager Steve Yzerman) told me they really wanted a right-shot power play defenseman," Wisniewski said. "I've been in that role the last six years or so. So what better team to come to than a team that loves being here?" Wiz is a low-risk, high-reward fantasy pick this season, as he could slot into a specialty role on the power play for the Bolts. The team ranked 28th in 2015-16 with just a 15.8 percent success rate. And new Bolts assistant coach Todd Richards understands the value Wisniewski can bring -- the defender played for him in Columbus. Five D spots are all but locked up, leaving Wiz to fight with two or three other guys for the remaining opening. But coach Jon Cooper likes to roll seven guys on the back end and Wiz might just be able to resurrect his career with a potential Stanley Cup fave.
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Lightning's James Wisniewski: Will attend Lightning's camp on PTO
Wisniewski will attend Tampa Bay's training camp on a professional tryout agreement, James Mirtle of The Globe and Mail reports.
Wisniewski logged just 47 seconds of ice time in 2015-16, as he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the first period of Carolina's season opener on Oct. 8. The 32-year-old Michigan native's health remains a huge question mark, which is likely why he hasn't garnered more interest from defenseman-needy clubs this offseason. Wisniewski will hope to secure a bottom-pairing role with the Lightning in September's training camp.
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James Wisniewski: Ready for 2016-17 season
Wisniewski (knee) wrote on Twitter that he is back to 100 percent ahead of the upcoming NHL season.
Wisniewski is still looking for a place to call home after being bought out of his contract by the Hurricanes in June. The 32-year-old played in just one contest last year after undergoing surgery on his knee. If he can return to the form that saw him notch at least 30 points in four of his last seven seasons, which is far from guaranteed, the blueliner could be a discounted value play -- assuming a team is willing to take a risk on him.
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James Wisniewski: Bought out of contract
Wisniewski (knee) will be a free agent after his contract was bought out by the Hurricanes on Thursday.
Wisniewski was injured less than a minute into the opening game of the season and sat out the entire year rehabbing from surgery. Given his age, it is not surprising that the 32-year-old has been released and it seems unlikely he will be re-signed by Carolina. Since his recovery time remains vague, the blueliner's chances of landing with a new team seem equally uncertain.
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Hurricanes' James Wisniewski: Spotted ahead of morning skate Tuesday
Wisniewski (knee) was on the ice prior to morning skate Tuesday, Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer reports.
The Hurricanes have been relatively mum on Wisniewski since the defenseman sustained a torn ACL in the first game of the season. We'll take the lack of substantial information as a sign that he still has several hurdles to overcome in his rehab before he'd be able to return. Only 22 games remain on the regular-season schedule for the Hurricanes, who still have work to do in order to secure a spot in the playoffs.
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Hurricanes' James Wisniewski: Still in recovery mode
Wisniewski is still rehabbing from left knee surgery performed early last October, Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer reports.
Wisniewski has logged just 47 seconds of ice time this campaign as he tore his ACL in the first game of the season. The team hasn't disclosed much information about his recovery progress though it's worth noting that Wisniewski's return timetable of six months falls right around the tail end of the regular season.
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Projecting early sleepers and duds
Odds are you drafted a few weeks ago, but that doesn't mean you're done with player assessment. The early free agent/waiver wire pickups can provide a boost to your lineup and give you the satisfied feeling of beating others to the punch. (Unless you're wrong. But that never happens.)
No need to analyze the stars; you're familiar with the returns. The key is to find those who will make a significant jump and others set to dip into obscurity or merely drop a couple notches. To speed up the learning process, we'll be combining the two groups here. Six examples from each: three forwards, two defensemen, one goalie. And to save space, the rationales will be brief yet still provide the info you require. (How do we do it? Volume.)
Prepare to be simultaneously impressed and appalled. By reading this, you may experience side effects such as dizziness, confusion and dry ice. Use only as prescribed. If you're reading this for more than four hours, immediately consult your nearest Fantasy physician:
Sleepers
Mikkel Boedker, F, Arizona: Arizona may be awful but there's enough talent up front to write about. Boedker's season (finishing with 28 points in 45 games) was unfortunately cut short but he's back and has been working on the top power play point with some dude named Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Sounds like that may be a good thing.
Roberto Luongo, G, Florida: Luongo may be 36 but he's still above average (29 wins, 2.35 GAA, .921 SV% in 2014-15) and his backup is Al Montoya. The Panthers look like an exciting bunch and they play in the Atlantic Division, arguably the worst in the league. That should translate into more victories and similar returns for Bobby Lou.
Paul Martin, D, San Jose: The Sharks clearly targeted Martin in free agency. While the 34-year old will be relegated to the second PP unit, he has already developed an and off-ice chemistry with alpha D (and Chewbacca stuntman) Brent Burns. A 30-plus point haul isn't out of the question.
Nino Niederreiter, F, Minnesota: Now in his third year in Minnesota, Niederreiter has matured to the point where he's confident in his abilities. The projections peg the Swiss winger for the third unit but he's so much better than that. Cracking 40 points shouldn't be an issue; look for something closer to 50.
Jakob Silfverberg, F, Anaheim: Ooh, aah, Silfverberg! Great skater supplemented by soft hands and a wicked shot. He'll probably never hook up with Ryan Getzlaf, but a regular gig beside the other Ryan will probably net the Swede a new career-high point total (anything in the 40s would qualify as a personal record, expect high 40s/low 50s).
Nikita Zadorov, D, Colorado: The giant Russian (0.002km, 16 stone) had initially been paired with Tyson Barrie for even strength, and this combo should eventually manifest itself on the man-advantage because Zadorov is -- thanks to carbon dating -- at least a century younger than Francois Beauchemin.
Duds
Tyler Bozak, F, Toronto: No Phil Kessel means no guaranteed points for Bozak (49 the last two). And it looks as if the Leafs' only relevant forward, James van Riemsdyk, is being centered by Nazem Kadri. At least Bozie is flanked by Joffrey Lupul. If that statement doesn't elicit excitement, then there's something wrong with you, man.
Andrew Hammond, G, Ottawa: The latest groin injury notwithstanding, the Hamburglar will be fighting Craig Anderson for top duties. Don't be fooled by the surprise stats from his hot run (20-1-2 to end the regular season). Like the food served at the establishment associated with Hammond's nickname, it's best to find greater substance elsewhere.
Mike Ribeiro, F, Nashville: No matter whom Ribeiro is playing with, he will not eclipse 60 points again this season. That's a guarantee. At least there's little worry he'll drop out of the top six, unless Cody Hodgson reverts to his junior self. Remember there are loads of great options at center, and Ribeiro isn't one of them.
Alexander Semin, F, Montreal: When things go good, Semin can be awesome. When times turn tough, he's magically AWOL. The upside for the 31-year old is 20-plus goals and roughly 45 points. Yes, that's his ceiling. And that's assuming nothing goes wrong, which would qualify as a miracle since he'll inevitably become frustrated with the Habs' continued lack of offense.
James Wisniewski, D, Carolina: The numbers (34, including 14 PPPs) reflect some degree of competency, although it's tough to ignore how Wiz sat in the press box throughout the playoffs for an Anaheim squad that sorely needed recruits in that long Chicago series. It's only a matter of time before Ryan Murphy claims the second chair behind Justin Faulk, and that time should be very soon.
Michael del Zotto, D, Philadelphia:His comeback was impressive (32, with eight on the PP), but he remains a plus-minus liability. He signed a new two-year deal, so Del Zotto has less to play for, other than avoiding becoming a healthy scratch. Oh, and the Flyers boast a stable of formidable offensive blue-line prospects just itching to get the call.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 5-11, 203 lbs |
| Birthplace: Canton, MI |
| Age: 40 |
| Shoots: Right |