Sun, Jul 2nd, 2023 5:51pm EDT
By Chris Schommer
Michael Bunting has agreed to a three-year, $13.5 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. (Source: Pierre LeBrun on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Bunting joins a Carolina squad in need of the forward’s combination of finishing ability and toughness as part of a forward group lacking the latter. The 27-year-old will look for a third consecutive 20-goal season as Carolina head coach Rod Brindamour looks to push his squad deep into the playoffs this upcoming season.
Sun, Jul 2nd, 2023 5:32pm EDT
By Chris Schommer
Ryan O’Reilly has agreed to a four-year, $20 million deal with the Nashville Predators. (Source: Pierre LeBrun on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: O’Reilly joins a Nashville squad attempting to re-tool under new head coach Andrew Brunette after moving on from Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene prior to the beginning of free agency. The veteran center should provide a solid scoring option in the top-six forward group in desperate need of more offensive punch as they attempt to capitalize on netminder Juuse Saros between the pipes most nights in hopes of returning to the postseason this upcoming season.
Tyler Bertuzzi has agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs according to Chris Johnston. (Source: Chris Johnston on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Bertuzzi fills a hole in a top-six forward group that lost Ryan O’Reilly and Michael Bunting to begin free agency. The enigmatic winger has flashed an elite finishing ability while also disappearing at times, but will look to reach his full potential playing alongside the core four forwards of William Nylander, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Auston Matthews for head coach Sheldon Keefe this upcoming season.
Sun, Feb 5th, 2023 3:57pm EST
By Chris Schommer
Bo Horvat has agreed to an eight-year, $68 million contract with the New York Islanders. (Source: New York Islanders on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Horvat is now locked in for the long term after being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks Monday. The 27-year-old instantly injects an inconsistent forward group with a legitimate force in the offensive zone, carrying a 1.10 point per game average (31 goals, 23 assists) for a team that looks serious about contending for the foreseeable future.
Matt Boldy and the Minnesota Wild agreed to a seven-year, $49 million contract extension. (Source: Frank Seravalli on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Boldy is now locked in with the Wild through the 2029-30 season and should play a key role alongside Kirill Kaprizov. The 21-year-old has recorded 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 42 games so far this season.
Alex Nedeljkovic has been placed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings according to Chris Johnston. (Source: Chris Johnston on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Nedeljkovic had struggled mightily in net for the Red Wings behind No. 1 goaltender Ville Husso and was eventually sent down to AHL affiliate Grand Rapids to work on his conditioning. It will be interesting to see if any organization is willing to take a chance on the netminder, carrying an abysmal 4.09 GAA and .880 save percentage in eight starts (2-4-2) in the crease this season with Detroit.
The Carolina Hurricanes announced they have activated forward Max Pacioretty from the injured non-roster list. (Source: Carolina Hurricanes on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Pacioretty has yet to suit up for the Hurricanes after undergoing surgery for an Achilles tear on Aug. 10. Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights this summer, Pacioretty notched 37 points in 39 games last season and posted 154 points over 158 games over the last three seasons. As long as he's healthy, he's a point-per-game player with a boatload of shots on goal and should be on every fantasy roster when he gets into the Hurricanes' lineup.
The Los Angeles Kings released veteran forward Nate Thompson from his professional tryout on Tuesday. (Source: Chris Johnston on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Thompson signed a PTO with the Kings on Sept. 14 but it appears he'll be looking for a new home for the 2022-23 NHL season. The perennial bottom-six forward has skated in parts of 15 NHL seasons, spending the 2021-22 campaign with the Philadelphia Flyers while registering just one goal and three points across 33 contests.
The Vancouver Canucks released veteran defenseman Danny Dekeyser from his professional tryout Tuesday. (Source: Chris Johnston on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: After spending parts of 10 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Dekeyser latched on with the Canucks via a PTO on Sept. 9. A former hot commodity out of college, Dekeyser's game never materialized into fantasy relevance but he could garner further NHL interest given his experience.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have released veteran forward James Neal from his professional tryout. (Source: Aaron Portzline on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Once a fantasy stud, Neal has struggled to keep his footing at the NHL level of late. The former 40-goal winger split last season between the St. Louis Blues and their AHL affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds, tallying just two goals and four points across 19 NHL contests. He could earn further NHL interest based on a productive 14 goals and 26 points across 28 games at the AHL level last season.
Alex Galchenyuk had signed a professional tryout with the defending Cup champs on Sept. 20 but has been released from that deal. (Source: Peter Baugh on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The journeyman has looked to revive his NHL career with several clubs over the last few seasons and it appears that search will continue towards the 2022-23 campaign. A former 30-goal scorer, Galchenyuk most recently tallied six goals and 21 points across 60 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season.
Andrew Peeke was rewarded with a three-year, $8.25M contract extension by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. The deal runs through the 2025-26 season and carries a $2.785M cap hit. (Source: Aaron Portzline on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Known more for his defensive work than his offense, Peeke recorded just two goals and 15 points while skating in all 82 games a season ago. However, he also recorded 169 blocks and 191 hits, ranking sixth and tied for 31st in those categories, respectively.
Former Montreal Canadiens forward Artturi Lehkonen has been traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for prospect defenseman Justin Barron and a 2024 second-round pick. Montreal is retaining half of Lehkonen's $2.3M cap hit this season. He will be an RFA in the offseason. (Source: Frank Seravalli on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lehkonen, just 26, is a fantastic middle-six player who makes his teammates around him better. Largely considered the darling of hockey analytics, he is an extremely underrated player who will significantly improve Colorado's cup chances. He has 13 goals, 16 assists, and 29 points this season, while managing to have a 0 plus/minus rating despite being on one of the worst teams in the history of the NHL. As good as he is in real life, his skills don't quite translate to fantasy. However, while he should not be on fantasy rosters at the present moment, he may become a valuable commodity surrounded by better talent on a contending roster. Montreal gets a decent return for their best player this season as they begin their rebuild.
Former Anaheim Ducks winger Rickard Rakell has been traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a large haul including forwards Zach Aston-Reese and Dominik Simon, a 2022 second-round pick, and prospect goaltender Calle Clang. Rakell, a UFA after this season, carries a cap hit of $3.9M, and Anaheim will retain 35% of it in this deal. Aston-Reese and Simon will also be free-agents this offseason. (Source: Bob McKenzie on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Rakell, 28, is a strong goal-scoring forward who struggles defensively at times, scoring 16 goals and 12 assists in 51 games this season. He will provide a large scoring boost for Pittsburgh as the arms race in the Eastern conference continues. He should certainly be rostered in fantasy leagues and watched with intent. Aston-Reese and Simon are better known for their elite defensive play in the bottom-six, and have 11 and nine points respectively this season. Neither are worth considering in fantasy. Clang, just 19 years old, is having a fine season in the SHL and is not yet with Anaheim. Anaheim begins its rebuild by acquiring very solid bottom-six pieces and a potential replacement for John Gibson. Should Pittsburgh go far in the playoffs, they likely won't mind the high price tag it took to acquire the sniper.
Former Winnipeg Jets center Andrew Copp has been traded to the New York Rangers, along with a 2023 sixth-round pick, in exchange for prospect center Morgan Barron, two conditional second-round picks, and a 2023 fifth-round pick. The first conditional second-round pick becomes a 2022 first-round pick if the Rangers win two rounds this year and Copp plays 50% of the games. The second conditional pick is Winnipeg's choice of St. Louis's 2022 second-round pick, initially acquired by New York in the Pavel Buchnevich trade, or New York's 2023 second-round pick. Copp is on the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $3.64M. Barron has one year remaining on his entry-level contract, valued at $0.925M per year. (Source: Darren Dreger on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Copp immediately provides a massive boost to New York's playoff push as a middle-six forward. The 27 year-old has 13 goals, 22 assists, and 35 points in 56 games this season. If available in fantasy leagues, he should be added, given his new team. A good even-strength player, he also takes face-offs particularly well. Barron, just 23, serves as a gritty depth piece for Winnipeg and should be disregarded for fantasy. He has one point in 13 games this season.
Former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Justin Braun has been traded to the New York Rangers for a 2023 third-round pick. Braun is in the last year of a two-year deal, and will be an unrestricted free-agent this offseason. (Source: Jeff Marek on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Braun offers little offensively, but is a strong shutdown defenseman that will push for time on the third pairing. Look for veteran Patrik Nemeth or rookie Braden Schneider to receive reduced roles. He is best left on waivers for fantasy purposes, but will help the Rangers' playoff push, providing a valuable veteran presence.
Per Chris Johnston on Twitter, the Seattle Kraken are sending forward Marcus Johansson to the Washington Capitals. The return is a 2022 fourth-rounder, 2023 sixth-rounder, and forward Daniel Sprong. The Kraken are also retaining 50% of Johansson’s contract.
Fantasy Impact: It remains to be seen where Johansson fits in the Capitals lineup. With Carl Hagelin out on long term injured reserve, the natural thought would be on the wing for the Capital’s fourth line. The veteran winger was solid in his previous stint in D.C. from 2010-2017. Fantasy managers will want to wait to see exactly what line he plays on for the Capitals, and if he gets any power play time.
Former Minnesota Wild goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen has been traded to the San Jose Sharks, along with a fifth-round pick, in exchange for defenseman Jacob Middleton. (Source: Pierre LeBrun on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Kahkonen, just 25, has a 2.87 GAA and .910 save percentage this season. In addition, he has 0.1 goals saved above expected, indicating he has been an average goalie. After Minnesota traded for Marc-Andre Fleury, the writing was on the wall for Kahkonen or Cam Talbot to get subsequently moved. Due to his young age, he has strong upside, but for now, look for him to back up James Reimer in San Jose. Middleton, 26, is a defensively-minded player who provides solid depth for Minnesota. He has nine points in 45 games this season, and should be ignored for fantasy purposes.
Former Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been traded to the Minnesota Wild for a 2022 conditional second-round that can become a first-round pick if the Wild make the Western Conference final and Fleury wins four games in the first two rounds. Chicago will also retain 50% of Fleury's $7M cap hit this season. In another move, the Wild are reportedly trading goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen. (Source: Frank Seravalli on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Fleury, 37, has had a tumultuous season following his Vezina-winning performance last year. The Canadian goalie has a 2.95 GAA and .908 save percentage this year, but also has -17.5 goals saved above expected, one of the worst in the entire NHL. With Cam Talbot already entrenched in Minnesota's net, look for Fleury to split time with him, providing a steady veteran presence for their playoff push. It's best to consider Fleury a fringe starter for fantasy purposes, but more likely a bench player in shallow leagues.
Former Seattle Kraken defenseman Jeremy Lauzon was traded to the Nashville Predators for a 2022 second-round pick. Lauzon, just 24, was initially selected in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft by Seattle from the Boston Bruins. Lauzon will be a restricted free-agent (RFA) following the conclusion of the 2021-2022 season. (Source: Pierre LeBrun on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lauzon has just six points in 53 games this season with the Kraken, and appears to be a depth move for the Predators. He doesn't merit roster consideration as of this moment. Seattle continues their firesale, attempting to remake their core for the future.
