Fantasy Impact: Wild Acquire Ilya Bryzgalov
steve laidlaw
2014-03-04
Fantasy Impact: The Minnesota Wild have acquired Ilya Bryzgalov from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fourth round pick.
The Wild get: An intriguing veteran option in goal to backup rookie Darcy Kuemper in goal.
The Oilers get: A minor chip in the draft pick but also the roster space to go fishing for an upgrade in goal.
Fantasy Players Impacted: Not that this comes as any surprise but this basically tells you to give up any hope on seeing Josh Harding again this season. He was the greatest story in hockey for about three months but complications with his MS treatment have been too difficult to overcome in the short term. (Hopefully we'll see him next year!)
Â
This also puts the writing on the wall for Niklas Backstrom who has alternated between awful and injured all season. If you were holding out hope that Backstrom might have one more run in him, you can finally let go.
Â
Bryzgalov gets a nice boost escaping Edmonton for a playoff-bound team known for its defensive style. He is still just a backup and not very reliable but at least now he's one injury away from holding a job worth a damn.
Fantasy Players this helps, in order:
Ilya Bryzgalov
Â
Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:
Niklas Backstrom