With the actual NHL trade deadline being Monday February 26th, it is time to start thinking about some last minute trades that could fortify your roster.
Most standard league’s trade deadline is the third week in February. For example. ESPN’s trade deadline is Friday February 23rd. So if you are looking to swing an impact deal, now is the time.
Here are ten players you should consider trading for. Some of them are not household names per say but they could make a big impact for you down the stretch.
1. Josh Bailey, F, New York Islanders: Bailey has scored 15 goals and dished out 47 assists this season on an Islanders team that is scoring a lot of goals but is on the outside looking in regarding the playoffs. Bailey is averaging 3.0 points per game in standard fantasy so he will not come cheap. If you can acquire him, now is the time to go get him.
2. Olivier Ekman-Larsson, D, Arizona Coyotes: If you are looking for an affordable puck moving defenseman with some cross category value, Ekman-Larsson is an affordable option who should be on your radar.
3. Henrik Zetterberg, F, Detroit Red Wings: The veteran goal scorer doesn’t produce like he used to but he is playing better of late and logging more minutes. Zetterberg might worth adding down the stretch. He will play out the rest of the regular season which is something that matters if you are looking to add at the deadline.
4. Martin Jones, G, San Jose Sharks: Jones would have cost you a lot more earlier this season but he has been up and down thus far this season and has conceded starts to back up Alex Dell. Jones is still the number one goalie in San Jose but he may be more affordable now. If you need a goalie, make a play for him.
5. Eric Staal, F, Minnesota Wild: Staal isn’t playing as many minutes as he did last season but he is still producing having scored three goals in his six games. The 33 year can still find the back of the net so if you are looking for additional scoring, make a play for Staal.
6. Alexander Radulov, F, Dallas Stars: The mercurial Russian has had a great season for the Dallas Stars (21 goals, 32 assists). Radulov however is notorious for fading down the stretch so now might be a good time to make an offer for him and emphasize that with the current owner. You might be able to grab him at an affordable price.
7. Jason Zucker, F, Minnesota Wild: Zucker has 25 goals and 18 assists on the season. He has three two goal games this season. He is undervalued from a fantasy standpoint but he could be a cheap scoring option at the deadline.
8. Anders Lee, F, New York Islanders: There are people in your league that own Anders Lee but don’t have a clue as to who he is. They just like him because he scores points. Lee is on pace for a career best 65 point season. If you can swing a trade for him, you should try. He can be acquired at a reasonable price.
9. Mattias Ekholm, D, Nashville Predators: You really can’t go wrong with any of Nashville’s defensemen. No group of defenseman in the NHL have more freedom to join the rush offensively than the Predators D group. Ekholm has had a decent season offensively racking up 7 goals and 19 assists while sporting a +12 in the all important plus, minus category. While the 26 points don’t do much to excite you, Ekholm does have good cross category value.
10. Petr Mrazek, G, Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers just acquired Mrazek last night. He will play a lot, at least until Brian Elliott comes back anyway. With Michael Neuvirth also injured, Mrazek is a goalie worth acquiring. He has gone 5-2-2 in his last nine starts and could a cheap trade option if the owner that has him is out of playoff contention.