Now that the all-star game is over, it’s time to look ahead at the NHL trade deadline. You have until March 21st to make any moves to improve your team for the playoffs.
This is where the problem lies. Unless you have a league administrator who has modified your settings, the default fantasy trading deadline in ESPN leagues will be March 18. To capitalize on player movement, this will require additional speculative moves.
It is important to make the most of this opportunity. Trades have the potential to make a significant impact on fantasy. A trade can bring about a storm of opportunity and skill if the right player is there.
There are many lists of players that hockey pundits expect to trade before the deadline. The trick to fantasy is identifying the players who could land in the perfect storm scenario. You have to not only look at the players, but also the roles that need to be filled. The roles that must be filled are more important than the player when it comes down to fantasy relevance for a trade.
This being said, instead of focusing on players who many believe are available, let us take a look to see which fantasy-relevant roles will be filled by the deadline.
The salary cap is often evaded by teams, so I won’t be using that as a factor in my speculations on player acquisition. To be fantasy-friendly, the role must be with a team in the hunt for the playoffs. Additionally, the trade targets need to be more attractive than the options in-house.
Edmonton Oilers goaltender: The Oilers are still very much in the mix for postseason, and the only hole in the lineup from fantasy perspective is the crease. Mike SmithHe can be good but not enough to keep him healthy at the end of his career. Mikko KoskinenAlthough he had every opportunity to be the best goaltender for the team, he has not stepped up. The potential for a top fantasy goaltender is in a goaltender who can be consistent, fit and makes above-average saves. The key is to have a player that has more upside than Smith or Koskinen. Some goaltenders available don’t meet this threshold. Anton Khudobin, Joonas KorpisaloOr Semyon VarlamovFor example, For this role to become a fantasy, it will require the acquisition of someone like Marc-Andre Fleury.
This role could also be available to other teams: Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues.
Boston Bruins center It is not necessary for the top-line. However, there are opportunities to elevate what has become an even more important role in the second line. With David PastrnakHis best hockey since being promoted to the second team Taylor HallIt wouldn’t hurt to have someone on the other side with more offensive potential. Erik HaulaThey are interconnected. Charlie CoyleAfter months of being given slack to earn his position, it was evident that this wasn’t the answer. In a dream universe, a Claude GirouxOr Tomas HertlThe player would be the one acquired, but any offensively-minded person that is between these two wingers has the potential to make something extraordinary.
This role could also be available to other teams: Nashville Predators.
Calgary Flames power-play quarterback: Nothing against Rasmus AnderssonHowever, he’s been sharing ice with one among the best lines in league on the advantage and doesn’t have the points totals to back that up. This role requires a true quarterback. He would be among the league’s leaders in defensive scoring. A few offensive-first defensemen are up for grabs before the deadline. The most notable of these is: Can you see a reunion? Mark Giordano? But Jakob ChychrunAnd John KlingbergThese are also available.
This role could also be available to other teams: St. Louis Blues Minnesota Wild.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger: It’s less about the lines at average strength, and more about upgrading that fourth forward to the power play. Lightning boast a top three that is a powerhouse. Nikita Kucherov, Steven StamkosAnd Brayden Point. After that, Ondrej PalatAnd Alex KillornWhile they are serviceable, they are not as effective as a player in this scenario. The fantasy game would benefit tremendously from the addition of a power-play specialist, winger. Players who like Phil Kessel, Mike HoffmanAnd Tyler ToffoliYou come to your mind.
This role could also be available to other teams: New York RangersWashington Capitals.
Forwards
Patrik Laine, W, Columbus Blue Jackets (Up 10 spots to No. 52): So, it seems like Laine could be returning to form. His three goals in the last three games suggests that he is back to his best. This is why I kept Laine ranked higher this season than his stats would have me believe. His offense is too strong for him to not produce many goals. The side effect is mass goals against. However, I argue that this is a trade-off Laine should accept from the Blue Jackets. Laine has been unable to play in the last three games at even strength. Gustav NyquistAnd Boone JennerThey have scored five goals, and have scored three goals each. It sure does look like coach Brad LarsenLaine will do anything to win, which gives him the chance to produce at an elite rate.
0:47
Patrik Laine capitalizes on the power play
Evander KaneEdmonton Oilers, W (up 34 places to No. 59): Kane has been a good Oiler so far. Through four games, he’s averaged 2.2 fantasy points per gaming (FPPG). Kane’s profile is so appealing because of the hits and shots he has. Kane has scored 20 hits and taken 14 shots in those four games. Look out for an Oilers power play that starts to click like it did earlier this season.
Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights (up 70 places to No. 67: Eichel has been cleared for contact at practice. The rush on Eichel in fantasy leagues is over 70 spots higher. But I suggest you to wait and see if anyone else has taken him. Then, try to make a trade. Although Eichel is in action this month, I believe the Golden Knights should wait until the trade deadline to get rid of the salary-cap space necessary to activate him. If Eichel wasn’t available from the free-agent pool, you still have a chance to make a move. If March rolls around and Eichel is not seen on the ice, fantasy managers could get frustrated. You could still make a move in that situation. Yes, I believe this ranking is indicative of my belief that we still have time to wait. Eichel, once active, is a top-20 fantasy asset.
On the move: Defensemen
Ryan Pulock, D, New York Islanders (Up 28 spots to No. 86): I believe Pulock is still a top 100 fantasy play, even without the power play. Noah Dobson. Pulock’s base in hits, blocked shots and fantasy keep means that he doesn’t need to do a lot. Consider his first two games. He had big zeroes in points but his shots, hits, and blocked shots still earned him 1.4 FPPG. He’ll be back when the points start to come in.
Jakob Chychrun, D, Arizona Coyotes (Up 28 spots to No. 155): The most discussed name in advance of the trade deadline. However, I believe that a pre-emptive Chychrun acquire is likely to yield dividends down the road in fantasy. With the exception of a few trades, Chychrun is the best defenseman and power-play quarterback for a playoff-bound team. His 2021 season was his second-best fantasy defenseman. Given the current state of the Coyotes, we can forgive his disappointing performance this year.
Goaltenders on the move
Linus Ullmark, G, Boston Bruins (up 40 places to No. 173: He’s done a lot better than Jeremy SwaymanAnd Tuukka RaskUllmark is likely to be out of the picture. Although the Bruins do not have an alternative, Ullmark will see the majority of the action as a playoff-bound team who does a better than average job of protecting their goaltenders from high-danger chances. If your fantasy goaltender situation remains unclear, Ullmark is now clear.
Rankings updated
Connor Brown(Back on the ice, and a power-play function due to other injuries). Calvin de Haan, Oliver Ekman-Larsson(He was very interested in his standout game. Quinn Hughes(outside the lineup) Michael Bunting.
Just missed
Ryan Lindgren, Ryan McDonagh, Brett Pesce, Nino Niederreiter, Scott Mayfield, Damon Severson, Travis Konecny, Brian Dumoulin, Adam Pelech, Adam Boqvist, Mason Marchment, Erik Cernak, Jeremy Swayman.
Dropped out
Paul Stastny, Tuukka Rask, Yanni GourdeSemyon Varlamov.
Top 250 rankings
1. Connor McDavid, F EDM (F1)
2. Auston Matthews, F,TOR (F2)
3. Leon DraisaitlF3, F, EDM (F3)
4. Nathan MacKinnon, F, CO (F4)
5. Andrei VasilevskiyG, G. TB (G1)
6. Nikita KucherovF5, F, TB
7. Mikko RantanenF, F, CO (F6)
8. Brad Marchand, F, BOS (F7)
9. Igor ShesterkinG, NYR (G2)
10. Jack Campbell, G, TOR, (G3)
11. Cale Makar?, D, COL(D1)
12. Alex OvechkinF, F, WSH, (F8)
13. Roman Josi, D, NSH, D2
14. Adam Fox, D. NYR (D3)
15. David Pastrnak, F, BOS (F9)
16. Timo Meier, F. SJ (F10)
17. Frederik AndersenG, G, CAR (G4)
18. Gabriel Landeskog, F, COL (F11).
19. Juuse SarosG, G, NSH, (G5)
20. Jake Guentzel, F., PIT (F12).
21. Tristan JarryG, G, PIT(G6)
22. Aleksander Barkov, F, FLA, (F13).
23. Sebastian Aho, F, CAR, (F14).
24. Kirill KaprizovF, F, MIN, (F15).
25. Mika Zibanejad, F. NYR (F16).
26. Kyle Connor, F, WPG, (F17).
27. Filip Forsberg, F. NSH (F18).
28. Nazem Kadri, F. COL (F19).
29. Charlie McAvoy, D, BOS (D4)
30. Steven Stamkos, F, TTB (F20).
31. Max Pacioretty, F VGS (F21).
32. Anze Kopitar, F. LA (F22).
33. Elias Lindholm, F. CGY (F23).
34. Victor Hedman, D., TB (D5)
35. Jacob MarkstromG, G, CGY, (G7)
36. Brady Tkachuk, F. OTT (F24).
37. Sidney CrosbyF, F. PIT (F25).
38. Chris KreiderF, NYR, (F26)
39. Alex Pietrangelo, D, VGS, (D6)
40. Patrice Bergeron, F, BOS (F27)
41. Kris Letang, D, PIT, (D7)
42. Vladimir Tarasenko, F. STL (F28).
43. Joe Pavelski, F, DAL, (F29).
44. Seth Jones, D, CHI (D8)
45. Bryan Rust, F, F30, PIT
46. Matthew TkachukF31, F, CGY
47. John TavaresF32, F, F32
48. Jonathan Huberdeau, F FLA (F33).
49. Drew Doughty, D, LA (D9)
50. Mark StoneF34, F, FGS
51. Mitch Marner, F, TOR (F35)
52. Patrik Laine, F. CLS (F36).
53. Aaron Ekblad, D. FLA (D10)
54. Artemi PanarinF, F. NYR (F37).
55. Ilya SorokinG, NYI (G8)
56. Johnny Gaudreau, F. CGY (F38).
57. Devon Toews, D, CO (D11).
58. Mats ZuccarelloF, F, MIN, (F39).
59. Evander KaneF40, F, EDM
60. J.T. Miller, F, VAN, (F41).
61. Sergei BobrovskyG, GFLA (G9)
62. Darnell Nurse, D (D12), EDM (D12).
63. Noah Dobson, D. NYI (D13).
64. Mark ScheifeleF42 (F42),?, F, WPG
65. Roope Hintz, F. DAL (F43).
66. Tyler Bertuzzi, F, DET (F44)
67. Jack Eichel, F., BUF (F45).
68. John Carlson, D, WSH, (D14).
69. Jack Hughes, F, NJ, (F46).
70. Dougie Hamilton, D, NJ (D15).
71. Jason Robertson, F. DAL (F47).
72. MacKenzie Weegar, D. FLA (D16).
73. Morgan Rielly, D. TOR (D17).
74. Zach Werenski, D. CLS (D18).
75. Brayden Point, F. TB (F48).
76. William Nylander, F, TOR, (F49).
77. Andrei Svechnikov, F, CAR, (F50).
78. Cam TalbotG, G, MIN, (G10)
79. Evgeni Malkin, F. PIT (F51).
80. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, F EDM (F52).
81. Jacob Trouba, D, NYR, (D19).
82. Ryan Hartman, F, MINT (F53).
83. Brock NelsonF54, FNYI
84. Pierre-Luc DuboisF55, F, WPG
85. Alex DeBrincat, F, CHI (F56).
86. Ryan Pulock, D, NYI, D20
87. Connor HellebuyckG, WPG (G11).
88. Thomas Chabot, D., OTT (D21).
89. Alex Tuch, F. BUF (F57).
90. Jordan Kyrou, F. STL (F58).
91. Brent Burns, D. SJ (D22).
92. Thatcher DemkoG, VAN (G12),
93. Tony DeAngelo, D CAR (D23).
94. Dylan Larkin, F, DET (F59)
95. Elias Pettersson, F VAN (F60).
96. Boone Jenner, F. CLS (F61).
97. Alec Martinez, D. VGS (D24).
98. Matt Duchene, F. NSH (F62).
99. Evgeny KuznetsovF, F, WSH, F63
100. Evan Bouchard, D, EDM, (D25).
101. Joel Eriksson EkF, F, MINIM (F64).
102. Josh Norris, F, OTT (F65).
103. Miro Heiskanen, D., DAL (D26).
104. Robin LehnerG, VGS (G13).
105. Sam Bennett, F, FLA, (F66)
106. Darcy KuemperG, G. COL (G14).
107. Tomas Hertl, F. SJ, F67
108. Moritz Seider, D, DET (D27)
109. Anthony Duclair, F FLA (F68).
110. Pavel Buchnevich, F. STL (F69).
111. Mario Ferraro, D, SJ, (D28).
112. Troy TerryF, F, ANA, (F70).
113. Mathew Dumba D. MIN (D29).
114. Cam AtkinsonF, F, PHI, F71
115. Colton Parayko, D. STL (D30).
116. Taylor Hall, F, BOS (F72)
117. Patrick KaneF, F, CHI (F73).
118. Ivan Provorov, D, PHI, D31
119. Teuvo Teravainen, F CAR (F74).
120. Tom WilsonF, FSH (F75).
121. Nicklas Backstrom, F. WSH (F76).
122. Logan Couture, F. SJ, (F77).
123. John Gibson, G. ANA, G15
124. Artem Zub, D., OTT (D32).
125. Valeri NichushkinF, F, COL, (F78).
126. Mathew BarzalF, NYI (F79).
127. Claude Giroux, F, PHI, (F80).
128. Marcus FolignoF81, F, MIN
129. Shayne Gostisbehere, D. ARI (D33).
130. Ondrej PalatF82, F83, F82
131. Esa Lindell, D-DAL (D34).
132. Vincent Trocheck, F, CAR, (F83).
133. Sam Reinhart, F FLA (F84).
134. Neal Pionk, D, WPG, (D35).
135. T.J. Oshie, F. WSH (F85).
136. Andre Burakovsky, F. COL (F86).
137. Samuel Girard, D, CO (D36).
138. Blake WheelerF, F. WPG (F87).
139. Kevin FialaF, F, MINT (F88).
140. Rasmus Andersson, D, CGY, (D37).
141. Jaccob Slavin, D, CAR, (D38).
142. Zach Whitecloud, D. VGS (D39).
143. Andrew CoppF89, F, FPG (F89).
144. Matthew Boldy F MIN (F90),
145. Erik Johnson, D., COL (D40).
146. Jared Spurgeon, D, MIN, (D41).
147. Andrew MangiapaneF91, F, CGY
148. Mark Giordano, D, SEA, (D42).
149. Jonathan MarchessaultF, F. VGS (F92).
150. Pavel FrancouzG, G, COL, (G16).
151. Connor Murphy, D, CHI (D43).
152. Shea Theodore, D, VGS, (D44).
153. Rasmus Dahlin, D., BUF (D45).
154. Tim Stutzle, F. OTT (F93).
155. Jakob Chychrun, D. ARI (D46).
156. Zach HymanF94, F, EDM
157. Clayton Keller, F, AR (F95).
158. Nikolaj EhlersF, F, WPG, (F96).
159. Brock Boeser, F VAN (F97).
160. Viktor Arvidsson, F. LA (F98).
161. Elvis MerzlikinsG, GCLS (G17).
162. Ville Husso, G (G18),
163. Jonas Brodin, D. MIN (D47).
164. Ivan Barbashev, F. STL (F99).
165. Alex Iafallo, F. LA (F100).
166. Jared McCannF101 (F101),?, F, SEA
167. Jeff Carter, F, F102 (PIT)
168. Tage ThompsonF103, F, FBU (F103).
169. Adam Larsson, D., SEA (D48).
170. Jesper Bratt, F. NJ (F104).
171. Rickard Rakell, F. ANA (F105).
172. Oliver Bjorkstrand, F CLS (F106).
173. Linus Ullmark, G, BOS (G19)
174. Jordan EberleF107, F SEA
175. Quinn Hughes, D, VAN, (D49).
176. Anthony Cirelli, F, TB, (F108).
177. Tyler ToffoliF, F, MON, (F109).
178. Ryan Johansen, F, NSH, (F110).
179. Oliver WahlstromF111, F112
180. Ryan GetzlafF112 -?, F, ANA
181. Ryan Graves, D (D50),
182. Alex KillornF113, f, tb
183. Joshua Morrissey, D, WPG (D51)
184. Lucas Raymond, F, DET (F114)
185. Chandler StephensonF, F, VGS, (F115).
186. Jonathan QuickG, LA (G20).
187. Brayden McNabb, D. VGS (D52).
188. Anton Lundell, F FLA (F116).
189. Ilya MikheyevF117, F117
190. John Klingberg, D, DAL, (D53).
191. Kevin Shattenkirk, D. ANA (D54).
192. Alex Goligoski, D. MIN (D55).
193. Jesse Puljujarvi, F EDM (F118).
194. Tyson Barrie, D, EDM, (D56).
195. Bo Horvat, F, VAN, (F119).
196. Jamie Benn, F. DAL (F120).
197. Mikhail Sergachev, D, TB, (D57).
198. Carter HartG, G, PHI, G21
199. Ryan O’Reilly, F. STL (F121).
200. Cam Fowler, D. ANA (D58).
201. Nate Schmidt, D. WPG (D59).
202. Torey Krug, D, STL, (D60).
203. J.T. CompherF122, F122, F123
204. Adam HenriqueF, F, ANA (F123).
205. Nick SuzukiF124, F, F124
206. Nico Hischier, F. NJ (F125).
207. Sean Couturier, F, PHI, (F126).
208. Mikael Granlund, F NSH (F127).
209. Ryan StromeF128, NYR,?
210. Anders LeeF, NYI, p.
211. Mike SmithG, EDM (G22).
212. Trevor ZegrasF, ANA (F130).
213. Tyler Seguin, F, DAL, (F131).
214. David Perron, F, STL, (F132).
215. Ilya SamsonovG, G, WSH, (G23).
216. James ReimerG, SJ (G24).
217. Justin Faulk, D. STL (D61).
218. Brayden Schenn, F. STL (F133).
219. Jaden Schwartz, F SEA (F134).
220. Vladislav Gavrikov, D, CLS, (D62).
221. Adrian Kempe, F, LA, (F135)
222. Evan Rodrigues, F, PIT, (F136).
223. Blake ColemanF, F, CGY, (F137).
224. Rasmus Ristolainen, D., PHI (D63).
225. Jeff Skinner, F, F138 (F138).
226. Connor Brown, F. OTT (F139).
227. Jordan Binnington, G, STL, (G25).
228. Jake OettingerG, G, DAL, (G26).
229. Matt Roy, D. LA (D64).
230. Lawson Crouse, F. ARI (F140).
231. Kaapo KahkonenG, G-MIN (G27).
232. Ondrej Kase, F. TOR (F141).
233. Ben Chiarot, D, MOON (D65).
234. Filip Hronek, D, DET (D66)
235. Braden HoltbyG, G, DAL, (G28).
236. Reilly SmithF, F. VGS (F142).
237. Robert Thomas, F, STL, (F143).
238. Mikko KoskinenG29, G, EDM
239. Carter Verhaeghe, F. FLA (F144).
240. Marc-Andre FleuryG, GCHI (G30).
241. Calvin de Haan, D, CHI (D67).
242. Sean Durzi, D, LA, (D68).
243. Jakub Vrana, F, DET (F145)
244. Justin Braun, D, PHI, D69
245. Nathan Bastian, F, NJ, (F146).
246. Cole Perfetti, F. WPG (F147).
247. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, VAN, (D70).
248. Radko Gudas, D, FLA, (D71).
249. Tyler Myers, D, VAN, (D72).
250. Michael Bunting, F, TOR, (F148).