Here is a look at the fantasy repercussions following Monday's trade of W Lee Stempniak from the New Jersey Devils to the Boston Bruins.
Daily Fantasy
Like Devils teammates Kyle Palmieri and Mike Cammalleri, Stempniak represented an unexpectedly strong source of daily fantasy production - during the first half of the season, at least. Stempniak had eight points in October, 10 points in each of November and December, and eight points in January.
His 16 goals are his highest total since scoring 19 in 2010-11, and with 41 points thus far, he has a chance at exceeding his career-best of 52, set back in 2006-07, Stempniak's second NHL season.
With Cammalleri sidelined since late January with a hand injury, the Devils' scoring has dried up, with the team managing just 22 goals over 13 February games. Stempniak has just five points in the month, but his production should now be on the upswing, as he could hardly have picked a better situation to enter in to. Boston ranks third overall in goals per game, averaging 3.03, while New Jersey sits dead last with a 2.17 mark.
Should Stempniak happen to slot in at RW alongside Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, replacing Brett Connolly, he could have a DFS resurgence, especially with his price having leveled off of late.
Redraft Fantasy Leagues
Owned in the majority of leagues, Stempniak's owners have to be pleased with his change of scenery. If he plays among the team's top six forwards, he'll feature alongside either Bergeron or playmaking center David Krejci, who leads the team with 34 assists.
Obviously, it's too early to say with certainty where he'll play in Boston, but given the punchless offense he's leaving, fantasy owners who stuck by the journeyman should end up being rewarded for their patience.
Stempniak's departure leaves a top-line spot vacant in the Garden State, though with the team's overall struggles to score, it's hard to consider any Devil a must-add. Rookie Joseph Blandisi, who may be eligible as either center or winger depending on the site, seems the best candidate to take advantage of a larger role, though.
Since being called up from the AHL on January 10, Blandisi has managed 14 points in 21 games. Six of those points have come on the power play, with the potential for more time on the man advantage with Stempniak out of the picture.
Waiver Wire Targets
- It's unlikely that many owners cut bait with Stempniak during New Jersey's protracted dry spell, but if he happens be available in any standard fantasy leagues, he's worth a waiver claim.
- Blandisi is worth considering as a speculative add in deeper leagues, but even with a bigger role, there's not a lot of scoring punch in the lineup around him.
