Fantasy Impact: The Minnesota Wild have acquired prospect winger Nino Niederreiter from the New York Islanders in exchange for banging winger Cal Clutterbuck and a third-round draft pick.

The Wild get: a prospect winger with one of the best upsides in the world of hockey, but it’s not like they didn’t already have that with Mikael Granlund. Or Jason Zucker. Or Charlie Coyle. Or …

The Islanders get: the best hitter in the NHL and, take it from someone living pretty close to Oshawa – John Tavares’ second-best ever linemate (behind Matt Moulson).

Fantasy Players Impacted: I’ve noticed a lot of fantasy analysts believe that the Wild did well here, but I think they did horrible. IF NN becomes a star – and he stands a better chance than most – he still doesn’t fill a need. This team has enough of his type. So if he makes the team, it will be at the expense of Granlund? Or Zucker? Either way, is that an upgrade? Meanwhile, the Isles have Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, two players who could combine for 700 hits this season. Seriously – 700.

And can we see Clutterbuck and Tavares reunited? Imagine Clutterbuck-Tavares-Moulson. Clutterbuck is a likely 35-point player with 55-point upside in Minnesota. With the Isles, you can add 15 points to those numbers.

And if Clutterbuck makes the top line, that means Kyle Okposo loses the ice time. Something to think about.

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Clutterbuck

2. A young forward in the Isles system, like a Brock Nelson

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Niederreiter

2. Zucker

3. Granlund (even though he’s center, this impacts the amount of young forwards that the team is willing to take on)

4. Coyle

5. Okposo