3 months agoThe Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Nate Schmidt from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a 2022 third-round draft pick on Monday. The 29-year-old spent the last three seasons in Vegas, posting his best point-per-game number (0.52) in 2019-2020 with 31 points (seven goals, 24 assists) in 59 contests. Schmidt will likely eat big minutes on Vancouver's blue line and could be a very nice match on a pair with young superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes at even-strength. With decent peripherals (plus-11 rating, 112 shots, 91 blocks last season), the Minnesota native should be closely monitored as a good depth option in most fantasy formats when the 2020-2021 season begins.
--Chase Davis - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 months agoThe Montreal Canadiens announced they have signed goaltender Jake Allen to a two-year, $5.75 million contract extension on Wednesday. The 30-year-old, who was traded to Montreal on Sept. 2, will likely back up Canadiens starter Carey Price for the next three seasons. Fresh off a strong campaign in which he posted a 2.15 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 24 games with the Blues, Allen could provide sneaky value even in a backup capacity, given the expectation that the 2020-2021 season will likely be compressed. At the very least, Allen will carry value as a handcuff to Price and could be an attractive option at the back end of drafts prior to the upcoming campaign.
--Chase Davis - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 months agoBoston Bruins right-winger David Pastrnak (hip) will likely be out of action until at least March after getting surgery on his right hip to repair a torn labrum on Sept. 16t. The Czech sniper's rehabilitation is reportedly going well, and he shouldn't face any long-term issues following the repair. Pastrnak missed three playoff games due to the issue but still managed to post 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 10 contests. The 24-year-old is one of the most electrifying wingers in the game today, and following a 95-point (48 goals, 47 assists), 279-shot regular season, he should be considered a top-five fantasy asset when he returns.
--Chase Davis - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 months agoThe Vegas Golden Knights have signed defenseman Alex Pietrangelo to a seven-year, $61.6 million contract on Monday, with an average annual value of $8.8 million. Pietrangelo joins the Golden Knights after spending the first 12 seasons of his NHL career with the Blues, while serving as the captain of the franchise for the past four seasons. Pietrangelo totaled 16 goals, 36 assists and 52 points through 70 games this past season, while adding six points in nine contests during the Playoffs. Pietrangelo should be one of the first defensemen drafted across all fantasy formats heading into the 2021 season after establishing himself as one of the top players at his position during his time with the Blues.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 months agoThe Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Taylor Hall to a one-year, $8 million contract on Sunday. Hall, the former first overall draft selection by the Oilers in 2010 and Hart Trophy winner with the Devils three seasons ago, recorded 52 points through 65 games this past season, including a trade from the Devils to the Coyotes in December. Hall will join Jack Eichel and the Sabres as he looks to rediscover his MVP-caliber form that saw him total a career-best 39 goals, 54 assists and 93 points through 76 games during the 2017-18 season with the Devils. Hall should be a good bet to bounce back in Buffalo — on a one-year prove-it deal — in order to sign a long-term contract in the summer of 2021.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 months agoThe Calgary Flames have signed goaltender Jacob Markstrom to a six-year, $36 million contract on Friday, with the deal carrying an average annual value of $6 million. Markstrom joins the Flames shortly after goaltender Braden Holtby agreed to a two-year deal with the Canucks earlier in the day, ending Markstrom's seven year stretch with the organization. Markstrom posted a record of 23-16-4 to go along with a 2.75 goals against average and .918 save percentage through 43 games with the Canadian club, serving as one of the most valuable members of the team as the Canucks made it to the Playoffs for the first time since 2015. Markstrom has been a very consistent goaltender over the past five seasons, making the 30-year-old netminder a quality addition to the Flames lineup and for fantasy owners in 2021.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 months agoThe Vancouver Canucks have signed goaltender Braden Holtby to a two-year, $8.6 million contract on Friday, with the deal carrying an average annual value of $4.3 million. Holtby's move to the Canucks comes as a surprise due to the fact that the team had shown interest in re-signing pending unrestricted free agent Jacob Markstrom leading up to the start of free agency, but the signing of Holtby gives the young core of players on the Canucks an experienced netminder heading into the upcoming season. Holtby posted a disappointing 2019-20 season, as the 31-year-old went 25-14-6 to go along with a 3.11 goals against average and .897 save percentage through 48 games. Holtby's arrival to the Canucks may limit Thatcher Demko's value after a strong performance during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but both goalies will be worth owning across standard fantasy formats in 2021.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 months agoThe Ottawa Senators have acquired goaltender Matt Murray in exchange for prospect Jonathan Gruden and a second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Murray's name was rumored in potential trades after Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford stated that one of their goalies would likely be traded this offseason. Murray, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins, produced a record of 20-11-5 to go along with a 2.87 goals against average and .899 save percentage in 38 games during the regular season. Murray's fantasy value will take a step back after underperforming in 2019-20, along with his arrival to a team going through a rebuild at the moment. Regardless of the circumstances, the 26-year-old will be worth drafting in the late rounds of standard fantasy formats heading into the upcoming season.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
4 months agoThe New York Rangers have drafted Rimouski Oceanic left winger Alexis Lafreniere with the first overall selection of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old was expected to be selected by the Rangers after they won the second phase of the draft lottery in August, marking the second time that the organization has drafted a player in the top three over the past two seasons, following the selection of forward Kaapo Kakko with the second overall pick in 2019. Lafreniere will step in and provide an immediate impact on the Rangers, with the potential that he plays alongside players such as Mika Zibanejad or Artemi Panarin in a top-six offensive role. Lafreniere should be owned across all fantasy formats heading into the upcoming NHL season.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
4 months agoThe Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired forward Max Domi and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft in exchange for forward Josh Anderson. Domi failed to replicate his success from the 2018-19 season — his first year with the Canadiens, as the 25-year-old produced 17 goals, 27 assists and 44 points through 71 games. Anderson, another player who also enjoyed a breakout season in 2018-19 with totals of 27 goals, 20 assists and 40 points, was limited to just 26 games (one goal, three assists) during the season due to a shoulder injury. Both forwards will have a chance to bounce back with their new teams respectively, although Domi carries higher fantasy value across all formats after recording 72 points in 82 games two seasons ago.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
4 months agoToronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen will remain with the team for the upcoming season despite trade rumors suggesting that the 31-year-old may have been on his way out, as the Maple Leafs suffered an exit from the Stanley Cup qualifiers against the Blue Jackets in August. "As of this moment, yes, I expect him to be the starting goalie for the team," general manager Kyle Dubas said on Monday. Andersen has posted a record of 136-66-33 with a 2.77 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and 13 shutouts in 244 regular season games with the Maple Leafs since being acquired in a trade from the Ducks in 2016, and the 31-year-old should be one of the first goalies selected across all fantasy formats ahead of the upcoming NHL season.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
4 months agoDespite trade rumors and speculation about Sabres forward Jack Eichel and his future in Buffalo, general manager Kevyn Adams has stated that the franchise center will remain with the team. "I have zero concern on Jack wanting to be here," Adams said. "I've had great conversations with him, his representatives." Adams added that there is no intention of moving Jack Eichel. The second overall selection in the 2015 NHL draft has lived up to expectations through his first five seasons — with a total of 137 goals, 200 assists and 337 points during his tenure with the Sabres. Eichel should be given first round consideration across all fantasy formats leading up to the upcoming season, as the 23-year-old has gotten progressively better season by season throughout the early part of his NHL career.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
4 months agoThe San Jose Sharks have acquired goaltender Devan Dubnyk and a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2022. The trade was the second transaction of the day between the two teams, as the Wild sent forward Ryan Donato to the Sharks in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Dubynk struggled during the season with a record of 12-15-2 through 30 games, to go along with a 3.35 goals against average and .890 save percentage — both resulting as the worst marks for the 34-year-old during his six seasons with the Wild. Dubnyk will join Martin Jones to form the Sharks goaltending tandem, with both netminders having bounce back potential as the battle for the starting job could help the two bring the best out of each other after underperforming this past season. Dubnyk and Jones are worth targeting in the latter stages of standard formats heading into the upcoming NHL season.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
4 months agoThe Los Angeles Kings have acquired defenseman Olli Maatta in exchange for prospect Brad Morrison. Maatta, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins, totaled 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) through 65 games played with the Blackhawks this past season. Maatta will join the Kings defensive unit headlined by Drew Doughty and Matt Roy, but the 26-year-old Finnish blueliner is only worth considering in extremely deep fantasy formats heading into the upcoming NHL season.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
4 months agoPittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry has signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the team on Saturday, carrying an average annual value of $3.5 million. The 25-year-old could have become a restricted free agent this offseason after posting productive numbers in the crease during the regular season. Jarry produced a record of 20-12-1 to go along with a 2.43 goals against average, .921 save percentage and three shutouts through 33 games played. Jarry's new contract now shifts the attention to goaltender Matt Murray, who will likely be traded this offseason as stated by Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford. Jarry is set to take on an increased workload for the Penguins moving forward, making the 25-year-old worth targeting in the middle rounds of standard fantasy drafts for the upcoming NHL season.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
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