2023–24 Time On Ice Stats
Past Fantasy Outlooks
Fernandez, who is coming off a season pretty much lost to a knee injury, is virtually untradeable because of his age, contract, and injury history. For those reasons he'll have a chance to compete with the perennially underrated Tim Thomas for the B's goaltending gig. Expect a time-share as long as the pair (both 34) stay healthy. Tuukka Rask is the goalie of the team's future, but the organization would prefer to stick to the vets this season while he gains minor league seasoning.
Fernandez is expected to take over the full-time starter's duties from Tim Thomas this season and provide the Bruins stability between the pipes. In Minnesota, he proved he has all the tools to be a number one goaltender in the NHL, but he also had a much better team playing in front of him then. He will be hard-pressed to duplicate similar numbers (22-16-1, 2.55 GAA, .911 SV%) with the defensively challenged Bruins. Furthermore, he will have both Thomas and Tuukka Rask nipping at his heels for playing time in case he falters.
He's finally the every-game starting goalie after Dwayne Roloson was traded late last season. He could thrive in the role after coming off a strong season (2.29 goals against average and .919 save percentage).
Fernandez made noise during the lockout and in the offseason about wanting to be traded, but then returned to the Wild since he was a restricted free agent with few other options. He'll enter the season as the backup, but will likely share the starts in goal and could win the job outright if he gets hot. Expect the Wild to once again alternate starts in goal between Fernandez and Dwayne Roloson, with Fernandez the lesser of the platoon mates.
