Fantasy Impact: Sharks Acquire Jannik Hansen

The San Jose Sharks have acquired winger Jannik Hansen from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for prospect Nikolay Goldobin and a conditional fourth-round draft pick.

The Sharks get: a complementary winger who can line up on any of the top three lines. Hansen has been a steady producer in the low 30s, though he did spike a little to 38 points when he played with the Sedin twins last year.

The Canucks get: a top prospect with scoring-line upside. Goldobin has 41 points in 46 games in the AHL. Frankly, I don’t know why the Sharks made this move. Yes, they need depth, but this is a heavy price to pay. Vancouver has done well in adding Jonathan Dahlen and now Goldobin to the fold.

And hey – guess what the ‘condition’ is on that draft pick? Per Bob McKenzie, if the Sharks win the Stanley Cup, that fourth-round pick becomes a first-round pick. So Canucks fans – you know who to cheer for in the postseason. That’s pretty huge.

Fantasy Players Impacted: I think we’ll see Goldobin in the Vancouver lineup right away. And since Hansen had been playing with Daniel and Henrik Sedin, you may see Goldobin slot in there initially. Just to see what he’s got, and how well he clicks.

For now, 24-year-old Marcus Sorensen will be sent back down. The former Swedish star was an undrafted signing by the Sharks last year and he has 17 goals and 34 points in 43 games as an AHL rookie. But when Joonas Donskoi returns, then surprise rookie Kevin Labanc could be on the outs – either pushed down the lineup or sent to the AHL. Tuesday he was playing with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski.

It’s tough to say whether Hansen will play with the two Joes or not. Perhaps he’s a better fit on the Logan Couture line. That remains to be seen. But I think he’ll at least start his San Jose tenure on a scoring line. And that’s a big upgrade for him.

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Goldobin (get his fantasy hockey scouting profile and outlook here)

2. Hansen

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Sorensen (get his fantasy hockey scouting profile and outlook here)

2. Possibly Labanc, if he stumbles