Ducks Sign Chris Stewart
Ian Gooding
2015-07-13
The Anaheim Ducks sign right wing Chris Stewart to a one-year contract.
The Ducks get: A streaky power forward who will be on his fourth NHL team in three seasons (fifth in his career). Stewart scored 36 points (14g-22a) split between the Sabres and the Wild last season. Stewart will bring wildly inconsistent point totals while providing solid penalty minute totals for fantasy leagues that count that category. He is too much of an unknown to be drafted in the top 100 of single-season fantasy leagues. However, power forwards like Stewart always have some appeal as in-season waiver wire fliers.
Fantasy Players Impacted: Stewart could end up anywhere on the Ducks' top 9. However, the Ducks are already strong at right wing with Corey Perry and Jakob Silfverberg already in the fold. So Stewart could find himself on the Ducks' third line with Rickard Rakell as his center. RFA Silfverberg has yet to be signed, but he will very likely be this summer. Silfverberg's chemistry with Ryan Kesler and Perry's chemistry with Ryan Getzlaf could push Stewart outside of the top 6.
Fantasy Players this helps: Stewart, who will fit right in on the rough-and-tumble Ducks. In fact, this could turn out very well for Stewart if he can channel his Colorado days with an opportunity on the top line with Perry and Getzlaf. Playmaker Rakell could also benefit if it works with Stewart, who has scored as many as 28 goals in a season.
Fantasy Players this hurts: Jiri Sekac, who was penciled in on the third line, will probably get bumped down to the fourth line. However, there's always the possibility that Sekac is back on the third line, because Stewart could get bumped back down to the fourth line or even the press box if he pulls another disappearing act. Also, if Stewart gets moved to left wing, he could move Patrick Maroon or newly acquired Carl Hagelin down the depth chart in the top 6.
Fantasy owners are discussing this signing now – give your take right here!