2018-19 was Kuemper's first full season in Arizona and it went very well. Kuemper went 27-20-8 with a 2.33 GAA and .925 SV% in 55 games while filling in for an injured Antti Raanta. Entering 2019-20, Kuemper will be the Coyotes No.2 but showed he’s capable of handling the starting gig should the oft-injured Raanta miss time again. Kuemper is signed through the 2021-22 campaign.
Through four NHL seasons, Edmundson has never played more than 69 gams and is coming off of just 11 points (2G / 9A) in 64 games last year. The 6-foot-4, 215 lbs. defenseman plays a physical brand of hockey tying for 22nd among D-men in hits (531) over the last four years. Playing on a loaded blueline in Carolina will likely mean third-pairing minutes for Edmundson in 2002.
Fiala struggled after being traded to the Wild last season, scoring just three goals with four assists (seven points) in 19 games. Heading into his first training camp with Minnesota, Fiala has a chance to start the season on the top-line with Eric Staal and Jason Zucker, putting him back on the map for a fantasy hockey breakout. He has great shot volume and that will only get better with first line minutes.
Kempe gets a three-year deal nine days before training camp after registering 28 points (12G / 16A) in 81 games last season. Despite seeing an uptick in ice-time, Kempe’s numbers decreased in his second full season. Decreased shot volume was the main component to his drop in goals and a big dip in on-ice SH% affected his assist total. Expect him to centre the Kings second line in 2020, which makes him a candidate to return to 15 goals and 20-plus assists.
In his first four NHL seasons, Edmundson has never played more than 69 games. Edmundson had just two goals and nine assists (11 points) in 64 games this past season. The 26-year-old ranked fourth among Blues defensemen in TOI/gm (19:23) while leading them in hits (128) and ranking fourth in blocked shots (106).
Hicketts led all Grand Rapids defensemen with 27 points (3G / 24A) in 64 games in 2018-19. Hicketts has just three assists in 16 career NHL games but continues to get bumped down the Red Wings depth chart and may never become a full-time NHLer in Detroit.
Edler is coming off of one of the best seasons of his career despite missing 26 games due to injury. Edler scored double-digit goals for the first time since 2011-12 and added 24 assists. That’s a 15-goal, 35-assist (50 points) per 82 game campaign from the 33-year-old, who hasn’t appeared in 82 games since 2012. With the Canucks emerging as a strong offensive team, Edler will carry some fantasy value into 2019-20 but injuries are always a huge concern for the big Swede.
Despite winning in Game 4, the Blues will make on minor change in Game 5. Edmundson will come out of the lineup with Robert Bortuzzo drawing back onto the blueline. Edmundson has recorded seven points (1G / 6A) in 21 playoff games.
Edmundson was a healthy scratch in Games 3 and 4 but will replace Robert Bortuzzo in Game 5. Edmundson, who will be back on the top-pairing with Alex Pietrangelo, has two assists, four PIMS and 10 shots in eight playoff games.
Kuemper appears set to start Thursday despite leaving Tuesday’s game vs. the Kings after taking a stick to the eye. The playoffs is likely a motivating factor for Kuemper to be between the pipes tonight at less than 100 percent. Kuemper is 1-1-1 with a 3.27 GAA and .905 SV% in three starts against the Golden Knights this season.
Kuemper appears set to start Thursday despite leaving Tuesday’s game vs. the Kings after taking a stick to the eye. The playoffs is likely a motivating factor for Kuemper to be between the pipes tonight at less than 100 percent. Kuemper is 1-1-1 with a 3.27 GAA and .905 SV% in three starts against the Golden Knights this season.
Kuemper was forced to leave Tuesday’s game after taking a stick to the eye and his availability is in question for Thursday’s game. Adin Hill was recalled from Tucson (AHL) in case Kuemper can’t play vs. the Golden Knights.
Kuemper stopped all 39 shots that he faced in Sunday’s shutout win over the Wild. Kuemper now has two shutouts in his last three starts and is 7-5-3 with a 1.73 GAA, .943 SV% and three shutouts in 15 starts since the start of March. Kuemper is 1-1-0 with a 2.05 GAA and .935 SV% in two starts vs. the Kings this season.
