This article is part of our Frozen Fantasy series.
The trade deadline is Apr. 12. I thought COVID would make it a bore.
Not anymore.
The Canadian government changed the quarantine rules so inbound NHLers only need to self-isolate for seven days, not 14. Yes, that smacks of privilege. We can discuss that another day. Now, trade deadline day will be fun.
Eric Staal is already in Montreal. Will Taylor Hall follow him across the border?
The trade rumor mill has already fired up hot. I live within earshot of Toronto sports media. They're already conjuring up another trade with the Kings. Why anyone would think Jonathan Quick is a worthy option at this point is beyond me.
But I'm not Kyle Dubas.
Patrik Laine's name is swirling again, although they could also do a one-year extension, too. The Jackets lost Pierre-Luc Dubois. Would they really risk the perception they also lost the first trade?
Mattias Ekholm just got a lot more desirable, especially to Canadian teams. The Jets land him and they go from pretty darn good to Cup contender.
Kyle Palmieri's contract discussions with the Devils aren't going well. He's having a down season, but he'll be coveted by a lot of teams. Palmieri, Alex Iafallo, Nick Foligno and Mikael Granlund have all been linked to the Leafs. And a load of other teams.
The rumors are fun. The deadline will be, too. Just remember that traded players may not perform as well in their new homes as they did before the trade.
The trade deadline is Apr. 12. I thought COVID would make it a bore.
Not anymore.
The Canadian government changed the quarantine rules so inbound NHLers only need to self-isolate for seven days, not 14. Yes, that smacks of privilege. We can discuss that another day. Now, trade deadline day will be fun.
Eric Staal is already in Montreal. Will Taylor Hall follow him across the border?
The trade rumor mill has already fired up hot. I live within earshot of Toronto sports media. They're already conjuring up another trade with the Kings. Why anyone would think Jonathan Quick is a worthy option at this point is beyond me.
But I'm not Kyle Dubas.
Patrik Laine's name is swirling again, although they could also do a one-year extension, too. The Jackets lost Pierre-Luc Dubois. Would they really risk the perception they also lost the first trade?
Mattias Ekholm just got a lot more desirable, especially to Canadian teams. The Jets land him and they go from pretty darn good to Cup contender.
Kyle Palmieri's contract discussions with the Devils aren't going well. He's having a down season, but he'll be coveted by a lot of teams. Palmieri, Alex Iafallo, Nick Foligno and Mikael Granlund have all been linked to the Leafs. And a load of other teams.
The rumors are fun. The deadline will be, too. Just remember that traded players may not perform as well in their new homes as they did before the trade.
That's bad news for their current managers. But if your trade deadline hasn't already passed, you might want to pitch a deal to a crazy fanboy (or girl) in your league. But be cautious.
Trading Taylor Hall doesn't make sense to me. He has nowhere to go but up. But moving Patrik Laine does, especially if someone thinks he'll excel elsewhere. And honestly, if Jonathan Quick lands in Toronto, SOMEONE will want him.
Leafs fans always do. Now let's take a look at who caught my eye this week.
Anthony Beauvillier, LW, NY Islanders (5 percent Yahoo!) – Beauvillier's overall game has improved this year – he just hasn't gotten the production to match… until this week. After finding twine just twice in his first 22 games, Beauvillier has scored in three-straight games (four points) heading into Saturday. Pick him up – he, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Oliver Wahlstrom have caught fire in the last week. Better you get him than someone else.
Joonas Donskoi, LW/RW, Colorado (18 percent Yahoo!) – Donskoi is playing inspired hockey and fantasy managers have noticed – he's jumped from being rostered in about 4 per cent of leagues to 18 in a matter of days. Heading into Saturday, Donskoi had points in six of his last seven games and nine points - including five goals - in that span. He wants a Cup and is clearly ready to do whatever it takes to get one.
Filip Gustavsson, G, Ottawa (8 per cent Yahoo!) – Five goalies have skated into the blue paint in Ottawa this season. Four since Mar. 10 alone. Yes, it's a revolving door. The Sens aren't great, but starts are starts. Gustavsson stopped 63 pucks and allowed just two goals in two wins over Calgary earlier in the week. He's a tough start, but he has high-end skills. It all depends on how desperate you are.
Adin Hill, G, Arizona (11 per cent Yahoo!) – Colorado. San Jose. With Anaheim on the horizon. The giraffe-like Hill is now the top dawg in the desert. With both Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta injured (again), the RFA is looking to state his case for a new contract. Like Gustavsson (above), a starter is a starter, even on a bad team.
Roope Hintz, LW/C, Dallas (48 percent Yahoo!) – I have Alexander Radulov on my Friends and Family team. I wish I had Hintz instead – the guy just delivers when he's in the lineup. Yah, that's pointed at you, Radulov. Hintz has played in seven of the Stars' last 10 games and has delivered five goals, four assists, 16 shots and three power-play points. Hintz is a point-per-game player rostered in fewer than half of Yahoo! leagues. That's just wrong.
Phil Kessel, RW, Arizona (28 per cent Yahoo!) – Kessel's worth a roster spot when hot and that's where he is right now. He heads into Saturday on a four-game, five-point streak that includes three points on the power play. He may be on the downward side of his career, but his hands are still great. And like always, Kessel streaks well.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, C, NY Islanders (50 percent Yahoo!) – Pageau has finally woken up and he's delivering across the board – goals, assists, plus-minus, faceoff wins, and even a few shots and hits. He's on way more rosters than his linemates because he contributes across more categories. The Isles are real. Pageau should be a target.
Eeli Tolvanen, LW/RW, Nashville (17 percent Yahoo!) –Tolvanen was hailed as the next big one for the Preds at the 2017 Draft – a kid with an elite shot and high offensive ceiling, and maybe even 40-goal potential. After all, he broke the KHL record for most points by a player under 20. Tolvanen's two-way game has taken a couple seasons to develop and in that time frame, other prospects have passed him by. But good things come to those who wait. Tolvanen has 14 points in 25 games and is on a three-game, five-point streak heading into play Saturday. Three of those five points have come on the PP. He shouldn't be on the wire anymore.
Nikita Zadorov, D, Chicago (20 percent Yahoo!) – Zadorov is here for one reason only and that's hits. He's not going to get you much in any other category, but this first-round pick has finally evolved into the top-pair, shutdown player he was imagined to be. Zadorov put up 13 hits in two games this week against Florida. That's a boost you need if your league counts that stat.
Back to the deadline.
I'm just glad there will be more action on Deadline Day. Trades make hockey – whether on the ice or in fantasy – a whole lot more fun.
This fantasy season, my leagues have been split. I have one league where multiple trades happen every week. I've never been in a league like this and entire teams turn over multiple times. I'm still not quite comfortable with that, but I'm having fun.
My big dynasty league has had way more trades than normal. All other leagues – for the most part – have had a fraction of what's usual.
I guess COVID has worn us all down. But the changes that COVID has spawned have helped pivot the game. So going forward, we may need to rethink all the things we thought we knew.
That actually sounds fun. A jolt is always good in fantasy.
Until next week.
