Fantasy - Dump and Chase: 3 players to target in a trade

Every Thursday, we examine three players you should consider acquiring on the trade front in your pool.

Over the course of the holiday season, you may find yourself raising a glass to fantasy players that have given your team an early bump, or cursing the turkeys giving you stomach pains.

As fantasy managers gather around with family and friends in the coming weeks, here are three player to consider making a play for in your league while attempting to avoid small talk.

F David Krejci, Boston Bruins

The generally consistent Bruins center has no doubt frustrated managers with an injury that isn't serious enough to land him on injured reserve but restrictive to the point where he's missed more games than he's played.

But in the 11 games in which he has been able to suit up, he's produced at almost a point per game (three goals, seven assists), putting him on pace to match his career-high 73 points set back in 2008-09 had he been able to play all 82.

Boston head coach Claude Julien indicated this week that Krejci's ailment - believed to be affecting his hip or groin, depending who you ask - will not hinder him all season. The Bruins are in the midst of a light, two-game week, presumably giving him extra time to recuperate prior to a west coast road trip.

It's definitely worth exploring if you can trade for Krejci on the cheap, as there might not be a better time to add a point-per-game player to your roster.

F Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers

Rumors abound that the Oilers are on the verge of making some noise on the trade market, with the possibility of Eberle being floated by general manager Craig MacTavish. 

Through 21 games, Eberle's four goals put him on pace for 15 for the season, well down from last's year's 28 and his career high of 34 posted in 2011-12. 

If Eberle is indeed jettisoned by the Oilers, this could mean bigger things for fantasy owners, or at least a return to the form he has displayed in the Edmonton's rather toxic environment.

Either way, Eberle still getting shots on net (averaging 2.6 per game) but his shooting percentage is down to 7.3 from his career average of 13.8, meaning he's bound to get going at some point.

Try to grab him now, and put yourself in line to reap the benefits of a talented player that could very benefit from greener pastures.

D Matt Niskanen, Washington Capitals

Ranked 14th among all defenseman and 95th overall in Yahoo leagues heading into the season, Matt Niskanen has been slotted into a more defensive role by head coach Barry Trotz. 

This reality comes much to the chagrin of fantasy managers who were expecting something closer to the ten goals and 36 assists he posted last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

An injury to Mike Green (listed as day-to-day) prompted Trotz to give Niskanen some time with the man advantage against the lowly Sabres during their last game on Nov. 22, and he made good with his first power play goal of the season.

If Green were to miss any length of time, Niskanen's offensive production could rise significantly. Even with Green in the fold, there exists the possibility of a trade as he heads towards free agency this summer, meaning Trotz may want to see more and more of what he has in Niskanen.

He's still owned in 74 percent of Yahoo leagues, meaning the majority of fantasy owners haven't given up on him. A low ball offer could pry him away, with the potential for second or third defenseman production as the reward.