NHL Hockey Player News

The Predators were likely looking to add a centre like Matt Duchene or Kevin Hayes but pivoted to Granlund when those two were traded to Columbus and Winnipeg respectively. Granlund is a player who plays on the wing as well and is know primarily as a playmaker, but is on-pace for his third straight 20-plus goal season. Granlund seems like a player who will either bump Kyle Turris down the lineup and centre the second line or play on Turris’ wing.

The Predators were looking for Fiala to take the next step this season after scoring 23 goals with 25 assists (48 points) last season and it has not happened. The winger was impressive last season, firing 187 shots while averaging just 15:09 TOI/gm but has seen his shot volume and shooting percentage drop this year. In Minnesota, he has a clear path to playing top-6, even top-line minutes, so this trade should help boost his fantasy value through the rest of the season.

Fantenberg is a 27-year-old left-shot defenseman with three points (2G / 1A) in 46 games with the Kings this season. Fantenberg appeared in four playoff games last season and provides the Flames with some extra D-depth while Michael Stone is sidelined.

McQuaid is a big (6-foot-4, 212 lbs.) right-handed defenseman that plays a physical brand of hockey but brings little-to-no offence. McQuaid has five points (2G / 3A), 19 shots, 99 hits and 76 blocked shots in 36 games with the Rangers this season.

The Panthers are in Colorado tonight so Brassard will likely walk down the hall and face his former team. The Avalanche are looking for some help offensively and adding Brassard to their middle-6 should help. The 31-year-old centre has had an off-year, scoring just 10 goals with nine assists (19 points) in 50 games with the Penguins and Panthers.

Dvorak missed the first four and a half months of the season with what the Coyotes called an “upper-body” injury but recently played two games with Tucson on a conditioning stint. Dvorak did not record a point but returns to the Coyotes, where he had 37 points (15G / 22A) in 78 gmaes last year.

Okposo has missed the last four games with a concussion but will return to the lineup tonight in Toronto. Okposo will skate on the third line and returns with 10 goals and 12 assists (22 points) in 57 games this season.

Pu was actually traded for Tomas Jurco, but you can’t trade an AHL contract for an NHL contract, hence the “future considerations.” Pu was originally a third-round pick of the Sabres in 2016 and was one of the key pieces that went to Carolina in the Jeff Skinner trade. The 20-year-old has had a terrible season in Charlotte, scoring just one goal with five assists (six points) in 44 games.

Jurco was actually traded for Cliff Pu, but you can’t trade an AHL contract for an NHL contract, hence the “future considerations.” Jurco has spent the entire season in the AHL, where he has four goals and six assists (10 points) in 14 games with Springfield. He will report to Charlotte (AHL).

Chaput has split the season between the NHL and AHL. The 26-year-old has five assists in 32 games with the Canadiens and 16 points (10G / 6A) in 24 games with Laval. Chaput will likely serve on the Flyers fourth-line.

Weal started the season in Philadelphia before joining the Coyotes mid-season. Overall, the 26-year-old has four goals and seven assists (11 points) in 47 games with the two teams. Weal will likely serve as a depth piece with the Canadiens and should draw onto the fourth-line.