New Jersey Devils: 5 Players Losing Waiver Exempt Status
By Nick Villano
Tyce Thompson
This is where things get interesting. The next three players are going to put Tom Fitzgerald into a very precarious position. He has to decide whether these players are going to go on waivers or if he’s going to find a spot on the NHL roster for them. Tyce Thompson might be the most interesting of the bunch.
The Devils thought Thompson might be NHL ready coming out of college. Once he signed with the Devils after his time with Providence College, the former fourth-round pick went right to the NHL to start his quarantine to play in the NHL. He played seven games that first season before he was sent down. He only had one assist in those seven games.
Since then, Thompson has zero points in four games. He got into two games last season, and he was awful. He’s last on the Devils in Corsi For Percentage, and he was on the ice for a goal against at 5v5 but none for. That’s not something that will stand out for Lindy Ruff and his staff. Thompson has a lot to prove this offseason. If he wants to live up to the hype surrounding his name, he needs to show he can do it in training camp.
Speaking of hype, his name alone might get him claimed on waivers. His brother Tage Thompson turned into a bonafide superstar. He’s become one of the league’s great wingers. If anything, Buffalo would claim him just to make their star happy. Are the Devils willing to take that risk?