It’s my favorite day of the year! It’s the NHL Trade Deadline, and I’ll be updating this post throughout the day with instant analysis on every single move. I’m starting this post now with moves over the weekend and will start up again around noon EST and be here through the hour after the trade deadline. Let’s get to it!
Boston Bruins acquire forward Ondrej Kase from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward David Backes, defenseman Axel Andersson and a 2020 first-round pick. Loyal Razzballers know my infatuation with Kase. Is this move great for him fantasy wise? Probably not. My hope is that he goes onto the second line with Krejci and DeBrusk, but the power play time is going to take a hit. Maybe an injury will change things, but for now Kase is a solid streamer. The Ducks ate Backes’ salary to get the first round pick in return. His days of fantasy relevance are over. Andersson is a decent prospect who could end up being a PP2 guy down the line.
Winnipeg Jets acquire forward Cody Eakin from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2021. Eakin wasn’t getting much time in Vegas and received 14 minutes in his game with the Jets. Maybe he can become a streamer again, but for now, leave him on the waiver wire.
Nashville Predators acquire defenseman Ben Harpur from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Miikka Salomaki. Depth piece for depth piece, nothing to see here.
Washington Capitals acquire forward Ilya Kovalchuk from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2020 third-round draft pick. Nice piece of business by the Canadiens, who just signed Kovalchuk two months ago and turned that into a third round pick. Kovalchuk looked completely washed up with the Kings but was completely revitalized with the Canadiens. So what does this trade do for him fantasy wise? My guess is that it’s a negative. His role in the top six was locked in with Montreal. Perhaps he gets a chance on the top line in Washington, but I’m expecting their current top six of Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson and Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie to remain intact putting Kovalchuk on the third line. He’ll also end up on the second power play unit. It’s definitely worth monitoring, but I’m downgrading Kovalchuk to middling streamer until we see how things shake out after a couple games.
Edmonton Oilers acquire defenseman Mike Green from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for forward Kyle Brodziak and a conditional fourth-round draft pick. The Oilers blueline is gutted and Green should step right into PP1 with Klefbom out. Even if only for a couple weeks, Green is must-own, especially since McDavid returned on Sunday. Brodziak is irrelevant at this point. As far as trades go that took place before deadline day, the big winner for fantasy is Green.
Colorado Avalanche acquire forward Vladimir Namestnikov in exchange for 2021 fourth-round pick. Nice depth add for the Avs. My guess is Namestnikov goes to the third line and PP2 which makes him a middling streamer, but perhaps he goes to the second line.
New York Islanders acquire forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau in exchange for conditional first-round pick in 2020, second-round pick in 2020 and conditional third-round pick in 2022. The Islanders have already extended Pageau as well. The first will almost certainly convey as it’s only top three protected this season. Great add for the Islanders but this isn’t necessarily ideal for Pageau’s fantasy value. Unless they move Nelson to wing which I highly doubt, Pageau will be the third line center. I wouldn’t be holding Pageau unless he gets off to a hot start. As for who gets a boost in Ottawa, whoever slides in between Tkachuk and Duclair will be a strong streamer.
Carolina Hurricanes acquire forward Vincent Trocheck in exchange for forwards Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark, Eetu Luostarinen and defenseman Chase Priskie. Interesting move for both teams. Haula slides into the 2C role for Florida and is an elite streamer for now if he plays with Hoffman and somebody (Vatrano or Connolly presumably). Wallmark is depth, Luostarinen could end up having some value down the line, and Priskie is a former sixth round pick who was having a solid season in the AHL. Not convinced he ends up an NHL’er, so he’s not much of a consideration. For Trocheck, this could be very good for his value depending who he plays with, or neutral. I don’t think it’s going to be worse. My hope is that Svechnikov moves onto his line, but they could just keep him with Aho and Teravainen. Perhaps he gets going with Nino. Regardless, he should get more power play time there.
Philadelphia Flyers acquire forward Nate Thompson from Montreal Canadiens in exchange for 2021 fifth-round draft pick. Depth add for Philly, no fantasy impact.
Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Patrick Marleau from San Jose Sharks in exchange for conditional 2021 third-round draft pick. Really don’t get why Pittsburgh would do this besides to hope to get Marleau a Cup. He doesn’t have much left in the tank. He may end up fantasy relevant just because of the chance he plays with Crosby or Malkin, but for now I’m assuming nothing.
Colorado Avalanche acquire goaltender Michael Hutchinson from Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Calle Rosen. Goalie depth for Colorado, defensemen depth for the Leafs. No fantasy impact.
Philadelphia Flyers acquire forward Derek Grant from Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Kyle Criscuolo, 2020 fourth-round pick. Grant has been a nice story this season, but it’s hard to imagine him being streamer worthy. Criscuolo is a non-prospect, organizational depth.
Buffalo Sabres acquire forward Wayne Simmonds from New Jersey Devils in exchange for conditional 2020 fifth-round pick. Simmonds is pretty much shot and carries little fantasy relevance outside of a deep league streamer for hits and PIM, and potentially PPP if the Sabres put him in front of the net on the power play (they have had Risto in front lately).
Boston Bruins acquire forward Nick Ritchie from Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Danton Heinen. Don’t really get this move for the Bruins. Ritchie has never provided much and I don’t expect that to change. Perhaps Heinen improves with more playing time in Anaheim? I’m monitoring Heinen’s workload over the next week, but he could end up being a winner here.
Ottawa Senators acquire forward Matthew Peca from Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Aaron Luchuk and a 2020 seventh-round pick. Nothing to see here.
Edmonton Oilers acquire forward Andreas Athanasiou and Ryan Kuffner from Detroit Red Wings in exchange for two second round picks and Sam Gagner. Athanasiou could end up being the big winner of the day. All indications are that Athanasiou will get a chance to play with McDavid to start, and he’s a rare player who has the speed to keep up with McJesus. We’ve seen the upside with 30 goals last season; who knows what he can do with McDavid? He’s worth the spec add everywhere. Gagner should get minutes in Detroit but hard to care from a fantasy perspective.
Edmonton Oilers acquire forward Tyler Ennis from Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2021 fifth-round pick. Ennis could end up being a streamer depending on where he slots into the lineup. Probably break even in terms of his value compared to Ottawa as his minutes will be lower.
Calgary Flames acquire Derek Forbort from Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Depth add for the Flames that has little fantasy impact. Hopefully the Kings get Sean Walker some more minutes down the stretch as I liked what I’ve seen from him this season.
Buffalo Sabres acquire Dominik Kahun from Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Conor Sheary and Evan Rodrigues. Good move for the Sabres as the other two were giving them next to nothing. Kahun has produced points in limited roles the last two seasons. I don’t see a ton here yet, but at 24, there’s some upside here. Rodrigues and Sheary are both depth pieces. Maybe Sheary gets a chance in the top six again, but I doubt it.
Florida Panthers acquire Emil Djuse from Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round pick. Depth add, nothing else.
Analysis and details for trades below incoming:
Carolina Hurricanes acquire Sami Vatanen from New Jersey Devils in exchange for Janne Kuokkanen and a second-round pick. How much value Vatanen has comes down to when he returns from injury. If he’s back before Dougie returns, then he’s an easy hold. If Dougie is back by then, then Vatanen will be on the fringe. Kuokkanen has been scoring regularly in the AHL and is a former second round pick. Odds are that he ends up being a middle 6’er.
Vegas Golden Knights acquire Robin Lehner from Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a second-round pick, Malcolm Subban and Slava Demin . My concern is whether DeBoer actually plays Lehner over Fleury like he should. I suspect they split to start but Lehner is definitely worth owning regardless. Subban is simply below-NHL caliber. Demin has some offensive upside but he’s still a few years away for sure.
Tampa Bay Lightning acquire Barclay Goodrow from San Jose Sharks in exchange for a first round pick. How is he returning a first round pick!? Good for San Jose.
Columbus Blue Jackets acquire Devin Shore from Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Sonny Milano. One for one move in which a change of scenery could potentially help either guy. Nothing for now, but could be something.
Carolina Hurricanes acquire Brady Skjei from New York Rangers in exchange for a first round pick. Carolina really loaded up on the blue line. Skjei is a nice player, but in fantasy he’s a bit of an afterthought. This should given Adam Fox and Tony DeAngelo a small boost each with slightly more playing time.
Vancouver Canucks acquire Louis Domingue from New Jersey Devils in exchange for Zane McIntyre. Domingue becomes the #3 in Vancouver and gives insurance if Markstrom’s injury is more serious than it appears. McIntyre is a lotto ticket.
Calgary Flames acquire Erik Gustafsson from Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a third-round pick . I like this move for Calgary and for Gustafsson. This season has been a massive disappointment, but Gustafsson did have 60 points last season. He should slide onto PP1 with Giordano out giving him plenty of short term upside. I’d add Gustafsson if you need defensemen help. I think I prefer Green though as the Edmonton power play is better than Calgary’s.
Washington Capitals acquire Daniel Sprong from Anaheim Ducks for Christian Djoos. I’m still being stubborn with Sprong; I think he can still turn into a solid middle 6’er. Not sure where he’s going to play for Washington yet. My hope is with Eller and Kovalchuk but we’ll have to wait and see. Djoos doesn’t have much fantasy upside but could get some minutes on a rebuilding Ducks squad.
Nashville Predators acquire Korbinian Holzer from Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Matt Irwin and a pick. This is your typical trade deadline deal that doesn’t move the needle at all in either direction.
Vegas Golden Knights acquire Nick Cousins from Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Depth add for the Golden Knights that doesn’t do much of anything for fantasy.
That’s about it outside of minor league transactions. If anything NHL-related trickles in, I’ll be sure to answer it. I’m going to start having my Playoff Manifesto start to come out over the next week, so I’m unsure when my next set of daily notes will come out, but probably Wednesday morning. Feel free to make Three Point Challenge picks for Tuesday. I got Mark Scheifele correct last Thursday so I am on the board. I will go with Brayden Point against the Maple Leafs.
Feel free to give any comments or ask any questions below and I will be sure to answer you.
