Nick DeSimone

Nick DeSimone, who signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Devils this offseason, increasingly looks like a fringe roster player this upcoming year. The team added Brenden Dillon and Brett Pesce in free agency and will also benefit from the return of Dougie Hamilton from a long-term pectoral injury. As such, the 29-year-old DeSimone will likely spend the bulk of the 2024-25 season watching from the press box as a healthy scratch, and he could even be waived to be demoted to the AHL. Given his age and role with New Jersey, DeSimone probably isn't worth stashing in dynasty formats.

DeSimone is a waiver-exempt prospect looking to climb the prospect ladder in San Jose. The New York native easily led AHL San Jose in points among defensemen last season, with 14 goals and 32 assists comprising the total over 65 games. His fluid passing skills from the back end should ultimately benefit a Sharks team hoping to be a top-10 offense for a second straight year. Of course, DeSimone is operating under the terms of a standard two-way contract, so it's no guarantee that he'll crack the Opening Night roster, let alone stick with the parent club long enough to make an impact in fantasy hockey circles.