Upshall & Lepisto to Columbus for Klesla

Fantasy Impact: The Phoenix Coyotes have sent winger Scottie Upshall and defenseman Sami Lepisto to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Rostislav Klesla.

The Jackets get: a hustling third-line winger who is a solid complimentary goal scorer capable of fitting in on the third line. The also get an underrated puck-moving defenseman who has not had a chance to be a puck mover at the NHL level.

The Coyotes get: one of the biggest Band-Aid Boys in the world and a contract that lasts another three years after this one. If they get 100 games out of those three years, then the deal still sucks for Phoenix. Do GM’s look at the games played column?

Fantasy Players Impacted: Klesla fits in for where Phoenix needs him. Lepisto didn’t fit in there as a No.4 shutdown guy. If healthy (unlikely), then Phoenix nabbed a great two-way defenseman. Not fantasy relevant.

In Columbus, you have to think that they will try Upshall with former linemate RJ Umberger and that his value increases. Look for a 60-point pace going forward. For this season. Upshall is a free agent in the summer.Lepisto will get a shot at running the power play, so this may effect the red-hot Grant Clitsome, but it definitely impacts Kris Russell and Anton Stralman. Lepisto will get his chance, and he’ll need to make his mark early to avoid being pigeonholed.

I don’t believe the deal hurts or helps rookie Matt Calvert. He was getting 12 minutes of ice time per game, so his hot streak is bound to cool off regardless. Still a bright future and still an NHLer.

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Lepisto

2. Upshall

3. Mikkel Boedker

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Stralman

2. Russell

3. Clitsome