Hey guys! Sven here with a post-deadline buy/sell/hold. It was so nice coming out of a midterm at 2:30pmEST and seeing that I hadn’t really missed much, only to turn on my TV and then WHAM! Trades, trades, and more trades! Viz did a live analysis of each if you wanted more information (or have been living under a rock since Sunday), but here is where I will cover buys, sells, and holds from the deadline and around the league!
ALL STATS ARE AS OF THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 28
BUY:
Andreas Johnsson – 56GP 19-17-36. Making the most of his ice-time boost, Johnsson is a guy that the Leafs will need to continue chipping in if they want that #2 spot in the Atlantic. It should also be worth noting that Johnsson decided not to sign an extension right now and play out the season – providing all the more incentive for him to light it up down the stretch.
Tyler Bertuzzi – 55GP 15-17-32. I’ve been high on Bert all season (and have him in a few deep leagues), but with the Wings dealing away Nyquist, the “poor-man’s Matthew Tkachuk” (as described on Spittin’ Chiclets) has a nice opportunity here to finish the season at #1W with Larkin and Mantha. This trade also has a positive impact on Filip Zadina, but I’m thinking the Wings will ease the rookie in and get him ready to play full-time next year. Andreas Athanasiou is also worth a look.
Tony DeAngelo – 44GP 4-19-23. It took him a while to pan out since being dealt to the Rangers in the Raantta/Stepan deal, but boy has the former Soo Greyhound looked good in his last few games. Boosting his ATOI by almost four minutes AND picking up some power play time? That’s a buy!
Brock Nelson – 62GP 19-22-41. Similar to Johnsson, if the Islanders want to stay in that top spot they are going to need more secondary scoring. Nelson has had a solid offensive year, and the minutes are still there for him to be a lower-risk buy in deep leagues.
Nolan Patrick – 56GP 12-13-25. Patrick is listed as Philly’s #1C right now, and he has back-to-back games with an apple. I may be overthinking this one, but Patrick could explode down the stretch and salvage what has been a pretty underwhelming Sophomore season.
SELL:
Bryan Little – 63GP 14-25-39. The addition of Kevin Hayes pretty much ruins any fantasy relevance Little had. His ice-time declined about five minutes in Hayes’ first game, and I think this will be the new norm with Little on the third line.
Rickard Rakell – 51GP 9-17-26. I was being optimistic with Rakell, but unfortunately there’s just no help around him with Getzlaf out of the lineup. This Ducks team doesn’t appear to be capable of any miracles to make the playoff push, so I’ve given up on Rakell for this year. I am confident he will bounce back.
HOLD:
Nikolaj Ehlers – 43GP 16-12-28. Fresh off the shelf and hopefully able to find some chemistry with a new centreman on his line, Ehlers will certainly chip in down the stretch for the Jets. Top spot in the Central is up for grabs, and the Jets have Ehlers back when they needed him most.
