Fantasy Hockey Blockbuster Signing Breakdowns: Claude Giroux, Matthew Knies and More

Alright folks, we are going to go through some of the blockbuster signings that will have a fantasy league impact. If we went through all of the signings we would be here forever, and a lot of the signings that have happened are minor league or depth players, and will have no immediate impact on your fantasy league. 

While we do cover every trade that happens, because this involves roster changes as a whole, today we will only go through the biggest signings that will impact your fantasy league. 

Let's get right into some of the signings that happened prior to July 1!

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Joel Hofer - St. Louis Blues - $3.4M AAV - Two Years

Hofer is back to be the backup for Jordan Binnington, or step up if there are injuries. We know Binner can be streaky and seems to have either a good year or a bad year. He played excellently in the Four Nations Face-Off, which I believe bought him some leash. Either way, Hofer had great numbers and overperformed and between the two, the Blues are set for the blue paint for the next couple years.

Hofer had 16 wins in 28 starts as a goaltender. He also had a .904 save percentage, 2.68 goals against average, and one shutout.

Dante Fabbro - Columbus Blue Jackets - $4.125M AAV - Four Years

The first of two big blueline signings for the Blue Jackets, Fabbro brings more of a defense first, and will likely be on the top pairing this year with Zach Werenski. Fabbro will also likely be on the top penalty kill unit, which will add value to his fantasy value due to deployment.

Fabbro had nine goals, 17 assists, and 40 penalty minutes as a defenseman in 68 games played. He also had 89 shots on goal, 67 hits, and 143 blocked shots.

Claude Giroux - Ottawa Senators - $2M AAV - One Year

I am a big Giroux fan. He brings a calming veteran presence to this young Senators' locker room. And for being an older player, he still produces and can play up and down the lineup and checks his ego at the door. This is a great move, and I am glad he is back in Ottawa. Always a sneaky good late fantasy pickup.

Giroux had 15 goals, 35 assists, and 18 powerplay points as a forward in 81 games played. He also had 138 shots on goal, 64 hits, and 41 blocked shots. He will also continue to see powerplay time and see himself sharing top line minutes.

Matthew Knies - Toronto Maple Leafs - $7.75M AAV - Six Years

Knies is an absolute workhorse. With losing Mitch Marner, this was an important signing. Knies will be seeing top line minutes, powerplay minutes, and penalty kill minutes. His deployment will be elite, and a near 60-point showing last season puts him with a lot of superstars with regard to compatibility. This contract is going to look like a gem over the next couple seasons.

Knies had 29 goals, 29 assists, and 15 powerplay points in 78 games played as a forward. He also had 152 shots on goal, 181 hits, and 41 blocked shots.

Morgan Geekie - Boston Bruins - $5.5M AAV - Six Years

The rebuilding Bruins are in need of good players both now and into the future. Locking up Geekie gives them a top six forward for the next six years who not only produces offensively, but has that typical Bruin style physicality to his game. A decent late draft for fantasy league, especially bangers leagues.

Geekie had 33 goals, 24 assists, and nine powerplay points in 77 games as a forward. He also had 150 shots on goal, 110 hits, and 29 blocked shots.

Nicolas Hague - Nashville Predators - 5.5M AAV - Four Years

While this is a big move on paper, as I have said before, Hague's talent falls into the specific group of players who knock the “eye-test” out of the water and have great contributions on the ice and to their organization, but that doesn't reflect in fantasy leagues. Great for the Preds, but a bit of a name trap in fantasy.

Hague had five goals, seven assists, and 40 penalty minutes as a defenseman in 68 games played. He also had 74 shots on goal, 81 hits, and 74 blocked shots.

Alexander Romanov - New York Islanders - $6.25M AAV - Eight Years

This is a huge move for the Islanders. They certainly needed to shore up their blueline after dealing Noah Dobson. Romanov had a great season last year and really burst onto the scene as a big, talented, shot blocking phenom. It's yet to be revealed where Romanov's ceiling is.

Romanov had four goals, 16 assists, and 20 penalty minutes in 64 games played as a defenseman. He also had 100 shots, 147 hits, and an impressive 165 blocked shots.