The Dallas Stars took a chance when they waived defenseman Patrik Nemeth to try and send him to the AHL yesterday, and they didn’t get away with it. The Colorado Avalanche have claimed Nemeth off waivers, and will add him to their roster for the start of the season.
Nemeth, 25, spent 40 games with the Stars last season but still can’t seem to put it all together and fulfill his second-round draft status. Through 108 games in the NHL now, he’s registered just 14 points and has averaged fewer than 16 minutes a night. With the Stars adding Marc Methot to the mix this offseason, and feeling stronger about Jamie Oleksiak and youngster Julius Honka, there was no longer any room for Nemeth on the roster.
In Colorado though, where there is a near void of NHL-capable defenders, Nemeth will likely be given a chance immediately to turn his career around. Beyond Erik Johnson, Tyson Barrie and Nikita Zadorov, the team will carry a group of players all trying to prove their worth in the NHL. Nemeth will have to compete with the likes of Chris Bigras, Mark Barberio and others for minutes.