Wed, Jul 31st, 2019 10:28am EDT
By Brendan Ballantyne
Will Butcher and the New Jersey Devils avoided arbitration as they came to terms on a three-year contract worth $3.73 million. (Source: Elliotte Friedman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: After an excellent rookie season that produced 44 points (23 on the power-play), Butcher experienced the dreaded sophomore slump. He averaged over three more minutes of ice-time, and virtually the same amount of power-play time, yet he posted just 30 points (14 on the power-play) in 2018-19. New Jersey's power-play efficiency as a team dropped 3.7%, so it was to be expected that Butcher's overall production would take a hit as a result. The Devils addressed this regression with the addition of P.K. Subban, so it looks like Butcher will be squeezed off the first power-play unit due to his presence. The Devils have turned themselves into a more threatening offensive team overall, which bodes well for Butcher 5-on-5, but he will likely find himself demoted to PP2.
The Vegas Golden Knights traded the rights to KHL star Nikita Gusev to New Jersey in exchange for a 2020 3rd round pick and 2021 second round pick. Gusev then signed a two-year, $9 million deal with the Devils. (Source: New Jersey Devils on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The 27-year-old Gusev joins Jack Hughes, P.K. Subban, and Wayne Simmonds amongst the notable offseason additions to the Devils attack. Despite having never stepped on the ice as an NHLer, Gusev's 73 goals and 215 points in 173 games over his last three seasons with SKA St. Petersburg in Russia has certainly done enough to turn heads. We've seen elite KHL imports translate into fantasy stars in the past - Alex Radulov and Artemi Panarin being the most notable - so Gusev is certainly someone to keep an eye on, especially since he looks set to line up with either Hughes or Nico Hischier in the top six.
Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has agreed to an eight-year, $76 million extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning. His AAV of $9.5 million is now the third highest in the NHL amongst goalies. (Source: Tampa Bay Lightning on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Vasilevskiy was money in 2018-19, and now he's being rewarded for it. He was a key factor in the Lightning's historic regular season success as he posted a 2.40 goals-against average and .925 save percentage while amassing an NHL-high 39 wins; he tacked on six shutouts for good measure. As a result, he went on to be awarded the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie. The 25-year-old is already among the elite at his position, and when you consider he'll be backstopping a stacked Lightning squad for eight more years, Vasilevskiy checks all the boxes of a cornerstone keeper league piece. He should be the first goalie off the board in all formats this fall.
David Rittich has signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract extension with the Calgary Flames. (Source: TSN)
Fantasy Impact: The 26 year-old managed a career high 27 wins in 2018-19, along with a .911 save percentage and 2.61 GAA in 45 games. Rittich split time last season with Mike Smith, and will have to hold off newly signed Cam Talbot this season. While he is far from a guarantee, Rittich will enter camp on top of the Flames goaltender depth-chart. If either goalie in Calgary is able to earn the bulk of the starts, there is definite wins potential on a strong team with a very good defense.
Pavel Buchnevich has agreed to a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the New York Rangers. (Source: NY Post )
Fantasy Impact: The 24 year-old Buchnevich was on pace for a fairly productive season in 2018-19, with 21 goals and 38 points in only 64 games. If he can stay healthy this season there is reason to believe that he can build on that number. The Rangers have added a few big names to their forward group in Artemi Panarin and Kaapo Kakko. Buchnevich should have every opportunity to stay in the Rangers top-six, and could potentially find playing time with Panarin. Keep an eye on Pavel Buchnevich, he could have some fantasy value playing in the Rangers re-shaped forward group.
Colton Sissons and the Nashville Predators have agreed on a seven-year extension worth $20 million. (Source: Elliotte Friedman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This is one of the more unique deals you'll ever see. The 25-year-old Sissons is what he is - a bottom six forward, nothing more. It's rare that this kind of term is given to players like Sissons, but the two parties are clearly happy with each other. Sissons supplied career highs last season with 15 goals and 30 points and if he keeps that up throughout the duration of this deal, both sides should be content. As for fantasy owners, there's not much to see here.
Sat, Jul 20th, 2019 3:30pm EDT
By Ty Lafreniere
Brock McGinn has signed a two-year, $4.2 million extension with the Carolina Hurricanes, avoiding arbitration. (Source: Elliotte Friedman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: McGinn finished the 2018-19 season with 10 goals, and 26 points, while appearing in all 82 games. That was a slight decrease from the 2017-18 season where he managed 16 goals, and 30 points in 80 contests. McGinn is a valuable role-player for the Hurricanes, he offers some secondary scoring, as well as providing something of a physical element for his team. However, as far as fantasy goes, McGinn can be safely avoided.
The Edmonton Oilers have decided to trade Milan Lucic to the Calgary Flames, in exchange for right winger James Neal. (Source: Ryan Rishaug on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The two Alberta rivals have decided to unload bad contract situations on their respective ends of the spectrum. Lucic may not be what he once was during his days in Boston, but he does have postseason experience, which can be a big plus for the Flames. Calgary took a huge step forward last season, and they appear ready to go even further in 2019. Expect Lucic to have an immediate impact on his new team.
J.T. Compher and the Colorado Avalanche have avoided arbitration and agreed to terms on a four-year deal that will pay the winger $14 million. (Source: Elliotte Friedman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Compher is coming off of a career-best season in what was his second "full" year in the NHL. He tallied 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points in 66 games. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old has yet to crack the 70 game mark in his young career, having dealt with injuries - including a concussion - in the past. In spite of this, the Avalanche clearly still believe in his abilities by signing him to this deal. But from a fantasy perspective, there's better options out there.
Tue, Jul 16th, 2019 4:47pm EDT
By Ty Lafreniere
Jakub Vrana has signed a two-year, $6.7 million contract extension with the Washington Capitals. (Source: tsn.ca)
Fantasy Impact: Vrana had his most productive season to date in 2018-2019, recording 24 goals and 47 points. Still only 23 years old, and with a first-round draft pedigree, there is reason for optimism going forward. The young winger will look to build on last season where he finished third on the team in goals and sixth in points.
