Langkow traded for Stempniak

 

Fantasy Impact: Calgary has traded veteran center Daymond Langkow back to Phoenix for winger Lee Stempniak.

 

The Coyotes get: a veteran two-way center who has overcome a serious neck injury in the past year. Langkow suited up in only four games with Calgary in 2010-11, recording no goals and one assist. Unless Kyle Turris takes a huge offensive leap forward, Langkow could very well find himself on the top line with Shane Doan on opening night. He previously played in Phoenix from 2001 to 2004. Langkow has been training hard with no setbacks this summer.

 

The Flames get: A streaky offensive winger capable of scoring goals in bunches. Stempniak will battle with David Moss and Rene Bourque for second line ice time.

 

Fantasy Players Impacted: Langkow will likely play with Doan and Whitney on the “top” line in Phoenix. I don’t think this affects Turris all that much – the ice time is still there for him if he proves to be ready. This clears a spot on line three for Brett MacLean. My stab at the Phoenix lines:

 

Whitney-Langkow-Doan

Korpikoski-Hanzal-Vrbata

MacLean-Turris-Boedker

Torres-Gordon-Pyatt

 

In Calgary, this clears ice time in the top line for Backlund. Jokinen and Stajan will be the other two offensive centers. My stab at Calgary’s lines:

 

Tanguay-Backlund-Iginla

Glencross-Jokinen-Bourque

Moss-Stajan-Stempniak

Kostopolous-Morrison-Jackman

 

Fantasy players this helps, in order:

1. Langkow

2. MacLean

3. Morrison

4. Backlund

5. Boedker

6. Stajan

Fantasy players this hurts, in order:

1. Jackman

2. Moss (more competition)

3. Sven Bartschi (short term, he was a long shot to make the team to begin with)