The NHL trade deadline is creeping up on us in just two days! As I talked about in my last article, Elias Lindholm was traded ahead of the deadline, narrowing down our players to choose from. Let's get into some top trade prospects and how a change of scenery for them might influence their fantasy fortunes. Plus, on the heels of some of these potential trades, we might have some other players who will start getting extra ice time as they step up to fill the void of traded teammates. As we all know, trade rumors are a dime a dozen these days, and depending what random dirt sheet website you stumble upon, a whole slew of hodge-podge of players get talked about. So, for my take on what's possibly legit and what's not, I've got my sights specifically set on expiring deals, players that are seriously being discussed by the bigger insiders, and of course, a little good ole' intuition and game sense.
#1- Jake Guentzel: PIT, W
Jake is undoubtedly the best offensive player being shopped at the deadline this year. The last two years, his points totals are 84 (2021-2022) and 73 (2022-2023), with 40 and 36 goals respectively. Jake has only ever played for the Penguins, and he's always been Crosby's right hand man. He has so much chemistry built with Crosby, who is no doubt one of the best hockey players on planet Earth. I feel like this year, his value will be a tad bit under his career average with any lateral move to another team. That being said, Guentzel has enough skill and a good enough shot to be lethal with any team and might command even more minutes by moving to a new team (Sullivan, his current coach, tends to roll all lines). He is eligible to return March 10th, but regardless of his final destination, he may not be up to speed right away, so don't put your fantasy playoffs hopes and dreams on him off the bat- but do keep an eye on him down the line.
#2 - Luke Kunin: SJS, C/W
Now to some, this might be an obscure name, and he really hasn't come up much in trade rumors or discussions- notably, half of his team has. As such, Kunin might be able to find some short term value by picking up some extra minutes in the lineup. The Sharks and general manager Mike Grier are in sell-now mode, and the fans seem to approve. It's time for a full tear down and a shot at future dynamo Macklin Celebrini. If Mikael Granlund is moved at the deadline, the centers are Kunin (who is currently at wing), William Eklund, Marco Sturm, and Ryan Carpenter. Eklund has really struggled to acclimate to the NHL game, being on pace for 37 points in 81 games. While Kunin, another first overall, has embodied more of a physical role player as opposed to an offensive force, for which he was originally touted out of the draft. In bangers' leagues, he offers some under the radar stat coverage, possible faceoffs at the wing position, and might see a slight uptick in offensive production, though he's not a substantially prolific scorer. In the unlikely event he gets moved, Kunin might see himself playing with some better talent, which will also give him an uptick- so whether he stays or goes, it's a win-win situation. Kunin is not going to outright win you a match, but a few little ancillary pieces here and there are always good to have on the bench.
#3 - Logan Cooley: PHX, C
Another player who might be taking on a larger role after the deadline is Logan Cooley, a former #3 overall pick. He might not be available in your dynasty leagues, but his coach leaving him on a leash might have him sitting on your waivers in redraft. Cooley is currently averaging 15:45 minutes a game, which is certainly not doing his stats any favors. He's currently behind Nick Bjugstad, who has seen his name swirling in trade rumors. Nick is a responsible center and winger who is a +4 on the season (vs. Cooley at -12). Arizona is not really competing for anything, and in the dog days of the season when teams are not fighting for anything, they begin to tinker with their lineups and guess at what the future might hold. Cooley is weak in the faceoff dot, which isn't a shocker, as McDavid, Bedard, and Crosby all struggled at the dot early in their careers, too. I look to see the training wheels finally come off for Cooley as we go into the last portion of the season, and fantasy managers might be rewarded with stashing him now, especially if Bjugstad does get traded.
#4 - Vladimir Tarasenko: OTT, LW/RW
Vladdy just hasn't found his home with Ottawa. I've watched many of his games, and it's not that he's playing particularly bad, but he's not exactly been the Vladdy of the days of old. With some of the names he's being linked too, Vladimir (current point pace of 55) might see himself playing meaningful hockey alongside some top names if he gets traded. A reunion in New York is making it's way around the rumor mill, and he might find himself in Kakko's role on line 1 with Mika Zibenjad and Chris Kreider. Line 2 with Vincent Trochek and fellow Russian Artemi Panerin is not a bad consolation prize either.
#5 - Noah Hanifin: CGY, D
Noah is probably one of the biggest names being shopped this year at the deadline, and for our purposes, we are praying he ends up on Boston. Hanifin has a respectable 47 point pace for the season on an otherwise barren Calgary roster. A trade to Boston would immediately put him right next to Charlie McAvoy. Boston's current defensive core is in shambles due to injuries, so Hanifin would almost undoubtedly see 20+ minutes a night- which might yield you some points because anyone breathing the same air as David Pastranak is bound to get points. If you're a Boston fan or a Noah Hanifin fantasy owner, you should also be praying they land him, and that the promised child returns home at last.
Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)- Guentzel
Photo by Steven Ellis/The Hockey News) - Cooley
March 19, 2021 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images) - Hanifin
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) - Guentzel
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