This past Friday was
one of the busiest days in NHL history in terms of significant transactions,
rivaling the best trade deadline days in recent memory. It started at the noon buzzer and ran
straight through the evening. Many of
the deals will have little to no fantasy impact (see Anaheim signing Nolan
Yonkman for more); however, many of the deals will play into your draft prep
later this summer. Here are the moves
this week (mostly from July 5) that you need to be aware of before heading to
the draft table, ranked roughly in terms of fantasy impact.
re-signing with their current teams are not included here)
Bobby Ryan Traded to Ottawa
not a free agent signing, this move was the biggest of the day. This deal will have fantasy implications for
years to come, particularly on the Anaheim side. But in the near term, this deal is all about
Bobby Ryan landing in Ottawa. He will
automatically slide in as the #1 LW for the Sens, reserving a spot with Spezza
(when healthy) or Turris (when not). Mr.
Ryan has to this point left us wanting more from a fantasy perspective. The highlight reels would suggest that his
point totals should be higher. Perhaps
the change in scenery will give him the boost to return to 30 goal scorer
status. He's declined over the last 2
seasons, so this may be the jump he needs.
Ray Emery (PHI)
On the surface,
seeing the Flyers bring the goalie of the year into town, particularly one who
has followed such a rocky road throughout his career, doesn't seem like
much. But don't be fooled. This may ultimately be the most significant
move of the off-season. Yes, I just
typed that. Consider this: had the Flyers received above-average
goaltending over the past two seasons, the could have written a significantly
different history. This is a good team
with bad goaltending. Emery has proven
over the past few seasons that he is a good soldier, and a very good
goaltender. What he needs is opportunity
and good health. The Flyers gave him the
first piece. If he can keep the doctor
away, we may have a serious value pick with Emery.
Nathan Horton (COB)
move, Horton brings his tremendous talent (and history of injuries) to the rising Jackets. Question his motives if you like, but this
feels like a nice fit. The Jackets (and
you, if you draft him) will have to wait a few months for his services, but
once he arrives, he should bolster a team that may be fantasy relevant for the
first time ever.
Jarome Iginla (BOS)
If you're a Bruins
fan, this move happened just a couple months too late. Iginla was never proper utilized in
Pittsburgh, being forced into the off wing.
His time (and results) with the Pens could have been so much more. Too many cooks, or something like that. He's coming into a situation in Boston with a
sudden need for a first or second line Right Winger to play with top notch
talent at center and LW. This should be
a perfect fit and the opportunity Iginla needed to revive his fantasy
status. Look for a bump in numbers.
Valtteri Filppula (TB)
Yzerman saw enough of Filppula during their brief overlap in Detroit to
convince him to pay the money Detroit wasn't willing to dish out. With Lecavalier sliding out, Filppula
defaults into the #2 center role. A
slight increase in playing time may be a bonus for a player who has been a
marginal fanstasy factor throughout his career.
Mike Ribeiro (PHO)
from his surroundings in Washington, more than he will in Phoenix. Expect a
"dive" in his points.
(Sorry, I will always see this punk as the league's top diver).
Pierre-Marc Bouchard (NYI)
This was another
under-the-radar move that may ultimately play out into a major factor in the
upcoming season. Bouchard has
occasionally shown flashes of really-goodness during his time with the Wild. He joins a crew of fast, gifted skaters who
are given the freedom to be creative, which suits his game better than the
Minnesota system. Look for Bouchard's
stock to rise in fantasy circles next season.
David Clarkson (TOR)
Clarkson was a big
signing for the Leafs, but like most analysts, I tend to think he was overpaid
in dollars and term. This will
ultimately haunt Toronto in a few years.
As for next season, Clarkson should benefit from the move to
Toronto. The top 6 talent in Toronto is
fairly stronger than the group he left in Jersey.
Derek Roy (STL)
This signing came a
day or two late and was largely ignored.
But don't count Roy out just yet.
He's capable of a point a game production, and St. Louis is in need of a
playmaker like him at the center position.
While he's been around seemingly for ever, he just turned 30 in
May. There is still plenty of offensive
tread on these tires and should surprise many with a solid fantasy season for
the Blues this year.
Stephen Weiss (DET)
The other new face
in Detroit, (see below), may finally emerge as a legit fantasy option. Fans who followed hockey in Miami know that
Weiss is a talented player who had very little talent to help boost his
production. A few powerplay minutes a
game with Datsyuk may be enough to re-introduce this first round draft pick to
the hockey community. Expect career
numbers for Weiss with his new squad.
Daniel Alfredsson (DET)
Yes, it was big news
in terms of legacy and hurt feelings. If
you're drafting a roster based on such emotions, you're on the wrong
website. Alfredsson's experiment in
Detroit will be fun to watch, but it will barely register in fantasy hockey
Viktor Stalberg (NAS)
somewhat trapped on the depth chart in Chicago, having to play behind Kane and
Hossa on the right side. The move to
Nashville at least opens to door to more minutes and more opportunity. He's one of the fastest skaters in the league
and should see his stock rise this season.
Michael Ryder (NJ)
Ryder is donning his
fourth different jersey in four seasons.
And all he's done at each stop is score goals. He will be counted on to fill the void left
by Clarkson. At 33 years old, he
probably has one or two solid chances at 30 goals seasons left in the tank.
Anton Khudobin (CAR)
The relevance of
this moves is dependent upon the health of Mr. Cam Ward. Ward is the undisputed man in net for the
Canes. Should he return fully healed of
his knee ailments, he will dominate the crease minutes, leaving Khudobin in the
same situation he left in Boston.
However, if the injury woes persist for Ward, Khudobin is a fine plan B
that Carolina has traditionally lacked.
If the cards fall his way, Khudobin could be a sweet sleeper option.
Ilya Kovalchuk Flees to KHL
Talk about screwing
the Devils. They signed this guy to a
monster deal and so couldn't afford Parise or Clarkson. He leaves after free agency, leaving New
Jersey with nothing. This move
effectively makes New Jersey a fantasy hockey graveyard. I can't see a single Devil being drafted in
fantasy hockey next season.
Alexander Burmistrov (WPG) off to KHL
So much talent that
never seemed to click in the NHL.
Burmistrov provided some top notch highlights, but just not enough of
them. If you're preparing for your KHL
fantasy hockey draft, take note.
Otherwise, get your pen out and cross him off your cheatsheet now.
What's To Come
While most of the
news has already been written, there are a few names of fantasy note still
sitting without a contract for next season.
Here are the most intriguing to watch over the coming weeks:
- Jaromir Jagr -- while the
goals refused to come, he showed he is still a top playmaker at age 41
- Mikhail Grabovski -- despite
the potty-mouth and insubordination, he can score points.
- Ryan Whitney -- maybe someday
that potential will be realized.
- Tim Thomas -- this guy has to
come back. Somebody please sign Tim
- Ilya Bryzgalov -- this story
is not over yet.