Fantasy Fallout: Move to Rangers bolsters long-term value of Mika Zibanejad

Here are the fantasy implications of the Ottawa Senators trading C Mika Zibanejad to the New York Rangers in exchange for C Derick Brassard:

A quality move for the Rangers sees them net a player five-and-half years younger than the one they're giving up. The Rangers also receive a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft from the Senators, while giving up just a seventh-round selection in the same draft.

Zibanejad notched career highs with 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 2015-16, with 40 of those points coming at 5-on-5. Brassard scored a career high 27 goals but his point total dropped to 58, after hitting 60 in 2014-15. Twenty-two of his 58 points came on the power play, leaving just 36 5-on-5 points.

Redraft Leagues

Brassard was the Rangers' first line center last season, playing the majority of his 5v5 minutes with Ws Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash. Zibanejad is more likely to slot into a second-line role, with C Derek Stepan moving onto the top line. As a result, Zibanejad will likely suit up between Ws Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller.

Zibanejad played most often with Ws Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman in Ottawa, as he took over the first-line center job once C Kyle Turris was finally ruled out for the season due to an ankle injury. Brassard will likely see his playing time come in between Ws Bobby Ryan and Zack Smith, unless a younger player such as Curtis Lazar, Logan Brown or Nick Paul is able to win a top-six job out of camp.

On his own, Brassard is likely the superior player in the immediate future, though he does move to the lesser team. Zibanejad was able to nearly match Brassard's production last season, and he'll now move to the better team.

Both players can be considered near equals for the 2016-17 NHL and fantasy hockey season. They're safe bets for between 50 and 60 points, with Brassard possessing the safer floor and Zibanejad having a higher ceiling. In standard goals, assists, points, PIMs, and power-play points leagues, both players can be considered quality mid-round options or as the 15th-20th center.

Keeper/Dynasty Leagues

At 23 years of age as opposed to Brassard's 28 years, Zibanejad was already the better dynasty asset. He has improved his goals, assists and points totals in each season of his young career, and he registered a career-high 184 shots on goal in 2015-16.

Brassard has scored at least 58 points in each of his previous two seasons, topping a former career-high of 47 points back in 2010-11 while with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He registered 182 SOG last season, one shy of his total from 2010-11.

Brassard is still in the prime of his career and has several high-quality seasons ahead of him. Zibanejad's geographical future is undecided as he enters the final year of his contract in 2016-17, but his progression is bound to continue wherever he goes.