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

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

Ryan Johansen

NHL general managers finally started to make some noise Wednesday, headlined by the Columbus Blue Jackets' Jarmo Kekalainen and Nashville Predators' David Poile. The Blue Jackets swapped forward Ryan Johansen for Predators defenseman Seth Jones.

Now that Johansen is in a new NHL environment, it could be time to add him to your fantasy team's environment.

Johansen has not looked quite like himself this season, and though he shot down the notion that he and Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella had friction, the 23-year-old has seven goals and 12 points fewer than he did at this point last season.

That said, he is anything but a dud, with 26 points in 38 games. Johansen still has all the tools to produce, and has done so with points in four of his last six games. Poile called him the type of No. 1 center the club has been looking for, in which case he can expect to play on a line with Filip Forsberg. If he slides down to the second line, he will have the chance to play with James Neal, so either way he will be in good company.

The Predators will provide Johansen with every chance to succeed, and if he can replicate his former production, he'll be a great acquisition.

Jason Spezza

The Dallas Stars are in the midst of a mini-skid, having lost three straight and four of their last five.

In Tuesday's loss, head coach Lindy Ruff even resorted to benching the club's dynamic duo of Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.

Despite the team's recent slide, forward Jason Spezza has constructed his best five-game stretch since last February, notching seven assists and eight points.

Spezza is enjoying his best season since joining the Stars, and barely into the New Year is just three goals away from matching last season's total.

The club's recent struggles have also indirectly rewarded Spezza, as he's been given time on the top line between Benn and Valeri Nichushkin. His asking price shouldn't break the bank, and if Ruff continues to give tough love to Benn and Seguin, more opportunities should present themselves to Spezza.

Artemi Panarin

Chicago Blackhawks rookie Artemi Panarin has some skill. Just ask the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 24-year-old winger helped his club collect four points from the Penguins between Tuesday and Wednesday with back-to-back two-goal games.

Panarin leads all rookies in goals, assists, points, and power-play points, and sits 13th among all skaters with 38 points in 42 games. He has been all the Blackhawks have asked for and more, though playing alongside likely Art Ross Trophy winner Patrick Kane doesn't hurt.

The fact that Panarin is a rookie could provide value when trying to negotiate a trade in your pool, though his age makes him more mature than most first-year players; he's five years older than Dylan Larkin and Jack Eichel.

Patarin is owned in 80 percent of leagues, so some owners may even be able to pick him up for the low cost of a dropped player. If not, he is still worth putting your GM hat on for.