NHL Trade Deadline – what it means for your fantasy team

So technically this wasn’t a trade deadline deal but it’s significant

1. Boston Receives: Rick Nash
New York Rangers Receive: Matt Beleskey, Ryan Lindgren, Ryan Spooner, first round 2018 pick and seventh round 2019 pick.

On the surface this was one of the flashiest trades that happened but Rick had just 28 points this year across 60 points. Sitting on the second line at Boston, I don’t see much more coming from Rick Nash this year than what he’s already shown. He might be an infusion of deep scoring come playoff time but through the final 20 games of the season (the part you care about) don’t expect a ton as he acclimates to his new surroundings. The only bit I see coming from him are an uptick in his power play production, he has 4 power play points and will likely be on the top power play line and could double his power point production (4 more points) in 20 games.

2. San Jose receives: Evander Kane
Buffalo receives: Danny O’Regan (prospect); conditional first round 2019 pick and conditional 2020 pick

This trade still has me stymied, the only way I can process this is by acknowledging that Evander is toxous behind the scenes. Why else would a 20 goal scorer yield so little in return. IF (big if) this is the case, San Jose needs to know what they are getting into. San Jose has largely been a team that is sink or swim on chemistry. There were years of tough times with Patrick Marleau and while some more young scoring talent is EXACTLY what the Sharks need, it’s not worth it if it comes at the cost of the team playing together. I feel like the Sharks took turns just passing the batton of who the new up and coming prospect would be to light the lamp (only to fall back to nonexistance the next year) whether it was Thomas Hertl or Tommy Wingels or Melker Karlsson to help meld with Brent Burns, Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture and Joe Thornton but this year there is no real supplemental help. (For the record I think they rebound next year in a strong manner) I’m not on board with a whole lot coming of this move – this year.

3. Las Vegas receives: Tomas Tatar
Detroit receives: 1st round 2018 pick; 2nd round 2019 pick and 3rd round 2021 pick

Tomas Tatar had a great 2016 year where he scored 46 points and played all 82 games, his 2017-2018 campaign took a decline as he scored just 28 points in 62 games. He adds depth to Vegas, another non-star but talented shooting hard skating player for the team. I think he will fit in well but I don’t think he will be on the top line or net anything more than he is currently producing. He’s 23% owned and that’s about right.

4. NY Rangers receive: Vladislav Namestnikov, Libor Hajek (prospect); Brett Howden (prospect); 1st round 2018 pick; conditional 2019 pick
Tampa Bay receives: Ryan McDonagh & JT Miller

This is one of the interesting trades in that there were meaningful impacts NOW for both teams. The Rangers, who just shed a bunch of existing players get Vladislav Namestnikov, a 26 year old who came out strong scoring 33 points in his first 38 games. He has since cooled off scoring 11 points in 2018 across 24 games. I’m quite curious on how the Rangers are going to use him as he sits alongside Chris Kreider and Jimmy Vesey on the left wing side. He COULD be a third liner where he would become instantly droppable in all but the deepest of formats. IF he somehow sits on the top line he could hold some value but it appears the Rangers have effectively mailed in 2018. Tampa Bay (first in NHL standings) gets Ryan McDonagh and JT Miller which gives an instant boost to their defense (and reunites him with Dan Girardi). It gives them some solid experience (two players who were in the NHL finals in 2014, he’s hurt now but should be a top 4 defenseman for them when he returns. JT Miller holds little value with all of the offensive talent on Tampa Bay but Ryan McDonagh should see a nice bump.

5. St. Louis receives Erik Foley (prospect); conditional 2018 pick & conditional 2020 pick
Winnipeg receives Paul Stastny

So obviously the big component here is Paul Stastny (29% owned – WAY UNDEROWNED). There is a chance he’s on a line with Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrick Laine. IF that’s the case then you can take his existing 40 points through 63 games (which ends up being about .63 points per game). Putting him along 51 point Laine and 46 point Ehlers is good news for Stastny. Look for Paul’s assist’s to see a nice boost through the final 20 games. Additionally look for a potential PP bump (currently has 5, no PP forward on the Jets top two units has less than 8).

In Summary – the trade deadline has me wanting some shares of Paul Stastny and Ryan McDonagh.