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.
Defenseman Mark Giordano has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with forward Colin Blackwell in exchange for two second-round picks and a third-round pick to the Seattle Kraken. (Source: Chris Johnston on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Toronto gets their stay-at-home defenseman before the trade deadline as they look to make a deep playoff run in the Eastern Conference.
On Saturday, former Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm was traded to Boston for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen, defenseman John Moore, a 2022 first-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick, with 50% of his $5.2M cap hit retained by Anaheim. Boston also received defenseman Kodie Curran. A pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) this offseason, Lindholm promptly signed an eight-year extension with Boston for an AAV of $6.5M. (Source: Chris Johnston on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lindholm has 22 points this season over 61 games, tallying five goals and 17 assists. Although not known for his scoring, Lindholm's statistics may improve in Boston being surrounded by more talented players. His fantasy status is worth monitoring, although likely not worth adding to rosters as of this moment. Boston makes a key addition for their playoff push, a necessary move given that divisional rivals Florida and Tampa made key moves of their own recently. Vaakanainen, just 23, has four points in just 15 games this season, and although he should not be rostered, he may gain a larger role with a rebuilding Anaheim team and thus should be monitored for the future. Moore has just one point in seven games and does not merit the same upside Vaakanainen has. As a result, he should be left on waivers. Curran will be an AHL player for Boston and thus should be ignored for fantasy purposes.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Nino Niederreiter was suspended one game by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Saturday. During his game Friday night against the Washington Capitals, after being legally checked by Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson into the Washington bench, Niederreiter slashed Capitals' Axel Jonsson-Fjallby in the face. As a result, Niederreiter will miss Sunday's game against the division rival New York Rangers, and could return to action as soon as Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Source: @NHLPlayerSafety on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Niederreiter is a talented forward with 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points this season. While not a fantasy starter, he certainly merits roster consideration.
Center Claude Giroux was traded by the Philadelphia Flyers to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Owen Tippett, a first-round pick in 2024, and a third-round pick in 2023. (Source: Frank Seravelli on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Giroux will immediately provide another veteran offensive presence to a Panthers' team in pursuit of a deep playoff run that ends with a Stanley Cup championship. The veteran center has scored 18 goals and 42 points in 57 games with the Flyers this season.
The New York Rangers acquired forward Frank Vatrano from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 4th round pick in 2022. (Source: NHL.com)
Fantasy Impact: Frank Vatrano has a modest 19 points (10 goals, 9 assists) in 49 games this season. Vatrano has been playing predominantly on the fourth line on a potent Panthers team and could see an increased workload with the Rangers. That being said, Vatrano is likely not a viable fantasy option in most formats.
The Florida Panthers acquired defenseman Ben Chiarot from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for prospect Ty Smilanic, a first-round pick in 2023, and a fourth-round pick in 2022. (Source: NHL.com)
Fantasy Impact: Ben Chiarot is on pace for the best statistical season of his career on a last place Montreal Canadiens team. Chiarot is now joining a very talented Florida Panthers team that currently find themselves at the top of the NHL standings. The big defenseman is all but a lock to further increase his point production.
The Calgary Flames acquired forward Calle Jarnkrok from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a second-round pick in 2022, a third-round pick in 2023, and a seventh-round pick in 2024. (Source: NHL.com)
Fantasy Impact: Jarnkrok is having a decent season with 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 49 games on a struggling Seattle Kraken team. The fantasy impact is difficult to predict for managers because Jarnkrok will likely see a reduction in ice time but an increase in talent around him with the Flames. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on the situation in Calgary and Jarnkrok may be worth a speculative add.
Evander Kane is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers following completion of the NHL's investigation. (Source: Corey Masisak of The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Adding Kane to the McDavid/Draisaitl combination gives him a boost and is a must add in all formats. Obviously, he carries some risk with his history of trouble with the league, but he is a grab-and-stash if he's available on waivers.
Per Samantha Pell on Twitter, the Capitals have activated Garnet Hathaway from the NHL’s COVID protocol.
Fantasy Impact: Hathaway is still questionable to play tonight as he did not take line rushes in practice today. Keep an eye on the developing situation.
Per Samantha Pell on Twitter, the Capitals have placed forward Tom Wilson on injured reserve. (Source: @SamanthaJPell)
Fantasy Impact: The good news for fantasy managers here is that Wilson can return at any point since he’s already missed the mandatory seven days. Keep an eye on the situation as he was in a regular jersey in practice this morning.
Per the Capitals PR on Twitter, center Nicklas Backstrom is out for tonight and is in COVID protocol. (Source: @CapitalsPR)
Fantasy Impact: Backstrom will not be flying with the team to Winnipeg and is heading back to Washington. It has not been confirmed if he was a close contact or tested positive. After his first game this season, this is an unfortunate setback for Backstrom.
Per Samantha Pell on Twitter, forward Anthony Mantha was moved to the LTI list to make room to activate Nicklas Backstrom. (Source: @SamanthaJPell)
Fantasy Impact: There is still no time table for Mantha’s return so the move makes sense for the Capitals and their salary cap situation.
Per Samantha Pell on Twitter, Evgeny Kuznetsov has been added to the NHL’s COVID protocol. (Source: @SamathaJPell)
Fantasy Impact: This is a major blow for the Capitals. Kuznetsov has been playing at an elite level for the Capitals this season. No additional information has been provided on if he tested positive or was a close contact.
Jonas Johansson was claimed by the Florida Panthers and will be serving as the third goalie behind Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight.
Fantasy Impact: The Avalanche waived him as Pavel Francouz is returning. He was able to muster a 3-2-1 record with a 3.89 GAA and lackluster .880 save percentage.
Malcolm Subban was traded from the Blackhawks to the Sabres in exchange for future considerations on Thursday. (Source: Buffalo Sabres on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Subban has yet to make an NHL start this season but could get a mix of time in alongside Dustin Tokarski.
Philip Broberg was called up from AHL Bakersfield and will join the team for Saturday's game against Chicago. (Source: Jason Gregor on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Broberg will take Slater Keokkoek's spot on the roster. Keokkoek suffered a lower-body injury during Thursday's game against Winnipeg.
