Every Thursday, we examine a few players you should consider acquiring on the trade front in your hockey pool.
Oilers F Connor McDavid
Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks is the runaway favorite to win the 2016 Calder Trophy, but whether he's actually the top rookie in this season's class remains very much up for debate.
That's because 2015 first overall pick Connor McDavid has been limited to 13 games as a result of a broken clavicle, thereby curbing his impact on the Edmonton Oilers as well as his ability to prove he is indeed hockey's next big thing.
The good news for fantasy managers is that it doesn't matter how many points he ends up with, but rather what he can do over the remaining weeks of the season, when he's needed most.
McDavid posted five goals and seven assists prior to his injury, for an average of 0.92 points per game - the same level of production that propelled Panarin to the list of the NHL's top 10 scorers.
Chances are McDavid's current owners in fantasy leagues are well out of contention, or would be willing to flip him to fill an area of need.
Set to return after the All-Star break, the time to float some offers is now.
Rangers D Keith Yandle
An unrestricted free agent at season's end, Keith Yandle could be in for a productive second half, be it with the New York Rangers or elsewhere, should he be dealt prior to the Feb. 29 trade deadline.
While Yandle has recorded 22 assists to date, seven of which have come on the power play, he's stuck on two goals, with a shooting percentage of 2.1, less than half his career success rate of 4.8.
Should he revert back to his standard level of production, Yandle could still push for a double-digit goal total, something he's no doubt hoping for as he seeks his next contract. If he is traded and lands in a more favorable situation, it could be a boon for his performance down the stretch.
Ranked 11th among defensemen in Yahoo leagues heading into the season, Yandle currently sits 29th, meaning owners may be growing impatient with his performance to date.
Predators G Pekka Rinne
Targeting Pekka Rinne would be a bit of a gamble, considering he's been nothing short of awful so far this season.
The Nashville Predators goalie, who's somehow going to the All-Star Game, has posted a losing record and a save percentage well down from what fantasy managers have come to expect from the Finn.
| Year | GP | Record | GAA | Sv% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 64 | 41-17-6 | 2.18 | .923 |
| 2015-16 | 38 | 16-15-7 | 2.58 | .902 |
| Career | 419 | 220-130-50 | 2.38 | .917 |
Still, the Predators are unlikely to hand the reins to Carter Hutton, and won't be adding a goalie in a trade. For better or worse, they're stuck with Rinne, and will continue to rely on him with the hope he can backstop a contender.
Making a buy-low play for Rinne would be smart for fantasy teams in need of a solid No. 2 option. If it pans out, it's the kind of move that wins championships; if not, he can be stashed on the bench in lieu of whoever else is on the roster.
It's certainly worth a shot, at any rate.
