Let’s not waste any time and begin with the juicy stuff, we could? Based on a number of sources, Toronto and Vegas have been in dialog a few Mitch Marner sign-and-trade, though the deal has not been accomplished on the time of writing. An indication-and-trade would enable the Golden Knights to signal Marner to a most eight-year contract. Vegas can be an important match for Marner, and Marner would considerably improve the fantasy values of a number of Vegas forwards. I will not break all of it down right here, in case Vegas’s large plans fall via.
Elliotte Friedman additionally added that Nicolas Roy may very well be despatched to Toronto if the deal is accomplished. As well as, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Evaluation-Journal stated that Nicolas Hague, who’s presently an RFA, is also headed to Toronto if this will get carried out. Because it stands, Vegas has solely $5.6 million in cap house based on PuckPedia. That would not be practically sufficient to signal Marner, so that they would want to maneuver our bodies with a view to make room. The excellent news for Vegas is that they have loads of expertise on this space, ruthlessly sacrificing somebody with a view to seize the shiny new toy.
Do you know the Golden Knights are additionally expert in utilizing LTIR to their benefit? Based on Jesse Granger of The Athletic, GM Kelly McCrimmon stated the staff remains to be on the lookout for readability on Alex Pietrangelo‘s well being standing for subsequent season. This information is clearly one thing of concern for these rostering the 35-year-old Pietrangelo. The Vegas blueliner has handled accidents over the previous few seasons, averaging solely 69 video games performed over the previous three seasons. His manufacturing has declined to a 40-point tempo over the previous two seasons, as has his power-play time. Regardless, transfer Pietrangelo down your rankings.
–
Day 2 of the draft went down on Saturday, with groups choosing in Rounds 2-7. Full draft outcomes may be discovered on the NHL Draft Tracker on the league’s web site.
Many NHL followers aren’t aware of a lot of the names being picked, so it is a matter of monitoring which gamers your favourite staff picks, or on the lookout for sure gamers that play for close by junior or school groups. I do not comply with prospects as carefully because the crew at Dobber Prospects, however I will say that one specific participant chosen in Day 2 stood out to me.
That participant occurs to play for a junior staff that’s positioned not removed from the place I reside, however I nonetheless consider he deserves point out as a possible sleeper for these of you in deep a number of spherical entry drafts. That participant is Cameron Schmidt, who was drafted late within the third spherical (94th general) by the Dallas Stars.
The Prospects Report ranked Schmidt at 34, which might have had him being picked early within the second spherical. Schmidt was even mentioned as a attainable first rounder, but his measurement (5-7, 157 lbs.) and tendency to be a fringe participant scared groups off within the first and second rounds. Groups determine they will train talent however they can not train measurement, which is why gifted smaller gamers can fall down the draft whereas larger gamers get the advantage of the doubt.
Have a look at the Stars’ draft file and their organizational depth. This was a staff that drafted Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, and Jason Robertson in a single draft. Schmidt may very effectively be a Logan Stankoven-type choose, as Stankoven was drafted within the second spherical (47th general) in 2021. Stankoven was additionally neglected due to his measurement (5-8, 165 lbs.), though COVID was additionally wreaking havoc on junior leagues at the moment. The Stars are a profitable group as a result of they guess on expertise once they draft.
–
Saturday additionally noticed two trades of be aware. The Geese traded John Gibson to the Purple Wings for Petr Mrazek, a 2027 second-round choose, and a 2026 fourth-round choose. I wrote the Fantasy Take of the commerce.
Additionally, the Senators acquired Jordan Spence from the Kings for a 2025 third-round choose and a 2026 sixth-round choose. There’s additionally a Fantasy Take for this commerce.
–
The Flames have signed Kevin Bahl to a six-year extension price $32.1 million ($5.35 million AAV). Bahl doesn’t contribute many factors, as 20 factors from 2024-25 is his profession excessive. Nonetheless, the 6-6, 230 lb. Bahl was a dependable blueliner, averaging 21:23 per sport (third on the Flames) whereas being Rasmus Andersson‘s common protection companion. Bahl was additionally credited with over 100 hits and over 100 blocked pictures for the second consecutive season, so he performs a bodily fashion whereas additionally killing penalties. Six years looks like a very long time to be betting on such a participant, however Bahl is just 25 years previous.
–
The Blues have given goalie Joel Hofer a two-year extension price $6.8 million ($3.4 million AAV). Hofer has appeared in a minimum of 30 video games in back-to-back seasons for the Blues as Jordan Binnington‘s backup. He has been a reasonably dependable backup at that with a 58.1% high quality begin price. Anticipate him to play in an analogous variety of video games subsequent season. And because the Blues’ X account acknowledged, Hofer will not be topic to supply sheets this offseason.
–
The Penguins have traded Conor Timmins and Isaac Belliveau to the Sabres for Connor Clifton and a 2025 second-round choose. Timmins scored 15 factors in 68 video games break up between Toronto and Pittsburgh this previous season, averaging slightly below 17 minutes. He was a promising prospect at one time, however he can most likely be ignored in most fantasy leagues at this level. In the meantime, Clifton doesn’t present a lot offense, however he has some bangers worth. Clifton has amassed over 200 hits and over 100 blocked pictures in every of his previous three seasons.
–
Based on the Seattle Instances, the Kraken won’t purchase out Philipp Grubauer‘s contract, as a substitute opting to work with him to attempt to enhance his sport. Grubauer has largely struggled throughout his time in Seattle with a sub-.900 SV% throughout every of his 4 seasons. As well as, Grubauer has did not file 20 wins in a season regardless of being handed a six-year contract with a cap hit of practically $6 million. Joey Daccord has statistically been a lot better than Grubauer throughout his two full seasons, taking part in in a minimum of 50 video games in every of these seasons. Anticipate Daccord to proceed to begin the majority of the video games for the Kraken.
–
Now that I have been capable of course of the Evander Kane commerce, it appears a little bit simpler to digest for me as a Canucks fan. Kane’s off-ice points are effectively documented, and his acquisition has raised issues amongst many, particularly contemplating the Canucks’ dressing room issues this previous season. Certain, Kane’s off-ice status will probably be unattainable to shake during his profession, however he appeared to be a mannequin citizen in Edmonton from what I am studying.
The Canucks had a spot at energy ahead after J.T. Miller was traded, and few gamers within the league can fill that like Kane. The upside for Kane ought to nonetheless be 25 targets, 50 factors, 200 pictures on purpose, and 150 hits, which is super manufacturing in multicategory leagues. Nonetheless, accidents should issue into Kane’s fantasy worth, as he has missed important time in recent times. That features your complete 2024-25 common season with a laundry checklist of accidents: surgical procedures to restore each abductors, two hernias, two belly tears, and a knee harm. This may very well be put on and tear from taking part in a high-event “banger” fashion since debuting within the NHL in 2009-10.
One path for his general fantasy worth to enhance with the commerce to Vancouver may very well be via the facility play. Kane was normally on the second energy play for the previous two common seasons he has performed in, in addition to in the course of the playoffs for his total four-season stint in Edmonton. Throughout his three common seasons in Edmonton, Kane averaged simply over 4 power-play factors per season. Getting onto the Canucks’ high energy play is perhaps a little bit simpler, as they presently characteristic Quinn Hughes, then Elias Pettersson I suppose, then Conor Garland and Jake DeBrusk? We’ll have to attend and see what else the Canucks have in retailer for the offseason. Their plan to commerce the 15th general choose on the draft for a middle did not pan out.
One other phrase about wage: Kane is on the ultimate 12 months of his contract, so the Canucks aren’t holding the bag long run if this commerce seems to be a catastrophe. Kane additionally has incentive to be on his finest conduct, as he will probably be 34 years of age subsequent offseason and sure attempting to earn a minimum of yet one more NHL contract.
–
Comply with me on X @Ian_Gooding and Threads @goodsfantasyhockey and Bluesky @goodsfantasyhockey.bsky.social
