Greetings all. Now that the dust has settled after what was an insightful trade deadline, let’s take a look at some names in new places that could make waves for owners during fantasy playoffs. In what became a clear arms race amongst top teams to load up for a run, the chances some of these following players bear immense fantasy fruit in the closing weeks is strong.

Patrick Maroon

Maroon transitions to the state of New Jersey after being shipped out of Edmonton in exchange for prospect J.D.Dudek and a 2019 3rd round draft pick. Kudos to Ray Shero on this deal in the final hour to bring the big, physical forward into the fold as coupled with the acquisition of Michael Grabner, Shero is making his Stanley Cup pursuit intentions known. Maroon is working towards his second consecutive 20-goal campaign and his potential exposure to the likes of Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri could provide a spike in his production alongside his usual strong peripherals.

Maroon’s stats are strikingly similar to the season prior matching the 1.9 pts/60 despite seeing a slightly more evenly skewed deployment. Already north of 100 hits and sitting on 60 PIM, Maroon has been per the usual quality multi-cat asset all year. Be advised that if your playoffs start March 5th, the Devils have 9 games through the 25th. If your playoffs start March 12th, they play 13 games through April 7th. This makes them one of the less desirable owns as far as roster availability when it matters most. Nonetheless Maroon projects to continue being a well-rounded asset for those of you in multi-cat leagues. As far as points only hope for an uptick in production but always regard him as a complementary piece.

Ryan McDonagh/JT Miller

Tough times being a Rangers fan as we watch the changing of the guard alas the only constant is change and such is a good thing! Tampa Bay really shored things up for the postseason with the acquisition of McDonagh, the world class shutdown defender and JT Miller, the Swiss Army knife. On pace for yet another 30-point season, McDonagh brings top pair talent to a blue line already featuring perennial Norris candidate Victor Hedman. JT Miller’s ability to play any forward position coupled with his slick playmaking abilities washes out if not improves the place of Vladislav Namestnikov in the top nine.

As far as fantasy, one would have to argue both may lose fantasy value as their roles could diminish on a deep Lightning squad. Both seem destined for power play two deployments at best and McDonagh on the second pair at even strength is foreseeable. Miller projects no better with possible third line duty though the second line is not out of question. On pace for another 50-point season, Miller could really get hot in the right deployment with the wealth of talent in Tampa’s offense. One has to hope Miller is encouraged to shoot more with his pass first mentality as reaching 20 goals a third time in a row is starting to look unlikely. Like the Devils, be aware the Lightning possess a weaker fantasy playoff schedule than several squads.

Evander Kane

In what was the bargain trade of the day for the Sharks, Evander Kane ships out West to a San Jose squad in need of an offensive boost. Though this move seemingly is not enough to push them into serious consideration as a team vying for the hardware, this addresses an apparent need for them. With 20 goals and 22 assists to this point, Kane finds himself in the top-six immediately with an opportunity to finish the season strong for owners. In the last year of a six-year deal originally inked in Winnipeg, Kane’s out to earn himself a new contract with his goal scoring ability.

Gaining immediate exposure to Joe Pavelski on the top line paid fantasy dividends in his debut with two assists, two shots, four hits and a block. Kane was already an elite shooting option prior to his move out West and if he can stick on the top line with Joe Thornton out, he should easily cross the 25-goal plateau whilst flirting with 300 shot territory by season’s end. This coupled with his strong peripherals makes him potentially one of the more valuable players down the stretch.

Paul Stastny

I am heavily invested in the Winnipeg Jets on one of my fantasy squads and alas now shall be the second time a player I own gets shoved down the lineup. First Mathieu Perreault’s injury giving way to the emergence of Kyle Connor and now the trade for Paul Stastny pushing Bryan Little into third line center duty right before my playoffs. Though it could be worse for Little who still has Perreault and Jack Roslovic flanking him, fantasy relevance particularly revolves around top six deployment. Stastny brings a textbook two-way style to the fold and loads up the Jets down the middle, an important aspect in Western Conference play.

For Stastny it’s simple, feed Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrick Laine often and bear the offensive rewards. Stastny is one of the better 5-on-5 scorers in the league and now add on the fact he was seeing primary power play time in his debut and this potentially makes him deadly down the stretch for owners. Whilst there are no guarantees he stays with those two young guns after but one match, you have to like Stastny’s potential on the Jets. Winnipeg possesses one of the stronger fantasy playoff schedules in the league so look to lean on the pivot in the coming weeks.

Petr Mrazek

This one is already working out royally for those that scooped Petr Mrazek off the wire when he was traded to the city of Brotherly Love. In 2015 I picked up Dubnyk off the wire when he was traded to the Wild. For the rest of the season he put up video game numbers and played a major role in me taking the title that season. Mrazek’s new scenario is potentially the same as he goes from a mediocre squad to a potent contender that can provide the offense consistently. With Brian Elliott and Michael Neuvirth on the mend for weeks, Mrazek figures to be a workhorse for Philadelphia from here on out.

Please go pick up Mrazek immediately if you have issues in net. Prior to being traded to the Flyers, he was providing sneaky value for the Red Wings in goal. Since January 14th, his save percentage has dipped below .850 but once and he is undefeated thus far in his time with Philadelphia. I cannot stress enough how important it is to target player’s in a contract year and for a goalie especially, this means you better be lights out. He’s in a great situation with a chance to take the reins and just turned 26. Rest assured Mrazek knows he’s arguably playing for his career right now and figures to be a top option in goal the rest of the way. If you are rostering the likes of Henrik Lundqvist right now, dump him for Mrazek.

Ryan Spooner

Though investing in the New York Rangers may seem suicidal at this point in time, with their lack of depth any player with above average skill is going to be used in a primary role. On a 50-point pace during his time in Boston, the versatile Spooner figures to be cemented into New York’s top six. In his last 14 games he’s posted two goals, 10 assists, 29 shots on goal and 13 hits. Any of us with injured stars such as Jack Eichel have a serviceable replacement lying in wait on the wire in Spooner.

The Rangers have certainly become worse in the short-term on paper, but the team is younger and arguably faster overall now. Spooner currently sports a 2.8 pts/60 but this was in Boston seeing over 75% of his starts in the offensive zone. Playing alongside Kevin Hayes in New York who sees defensive deployment more routinely, one must assume such will be the case for Spooner as well. Things are certainly going to be rocky in Manhattan with a defense anchored by young Brady Skjei, but Spooner is worth at least a speculative add with five assists over the course of his first two games in Ranger blue.