The Vegas Golden Knights have signed a skilled prospect who had intriguing upside back in the day, but have since faded. Daniel Carr, 26, signs for one year at $750,000. Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks signed a prospect in a similar situation in Anton Rodin, 27. He signed what is believed to be a one-year contract that is one-way, likely similar in dollar value to Carr’s. Montreal signed Kenny Agostino, and Calgary signed Austin Czarnik.

The Knight get: a winger who can score and has a bit of NHL experience, but is mostly notable for what he has done at other levels. Carr was a star player for Union College, and then had a solid AHL career as a first-liner. In the NHL, Carr put up points for the Habs early on during several recalls, but then tended to fade back to reality after 10 or 15 games. In all, he had 14 goals and 34 points in 94 career NHL games.

The Ducks get: Rodin was a star in Sweden and a former MVP of the SHL. His one shot in North America was marred by a knee injury that took out of action for the better part of a season-and-a-half. He is earmarked for the AHL playing for San Diego but offers an intriguing option for the Ducks if they lose a scoring-line winger to injury. Worth tucking away as a waiver option if that happens.

The Canadiens get: a high-scoring AHL winger. Carr’s former team, Montreal, also added a similar intriguing option in Kenny Agostino, 26, has posted 196 points in his last 194 AHL games. In the NHL he has six points in 22 games with three different teams. However, the Habs are shallow up front and Agostino actually has a shot making the team, albeit a long one. But Carr, a similar player in the same situation, didn’t make it happen. That being said, Agostino is another name to watch when scouring the waiver wire later in the season. Check out our prospect profile on Agostino here.

The Flames get: a minor leaguer in a similar situation as those noted above. Austin Czarnik, however, is probably the prospect with the best shot at making his mark. At the age of 25 he’s the youngest of the four players listed here. He was buried in a deep Boston organization and was the odd man out due to his size (5-9, 161). But he had 155 points in 157 AHL games to go with 17 points in 59 NHL games. He’s your best dark horse right here as he has a real shot of actually sneaking into Calgary’s top nine right off the bat. Our prospect profile on Czarnik can be found here.

Fantasy Players impacted: This isn’t going to rock the boat for anyone on Vegas' current roster. Carr may play 30 or 35 games and he’ll certainly get a chance to steal a job – but it’s a long shot. In Anaheim – Rodin should get a couple of call-ups and may see as many as 10 or 15 games. How he does in those games will determine his future in both real and fantasy hockey. Thus the term “dark horse”. Their presence covers the Knights and the Ducks off in case of injury (in Anaheim's case – the likely event that Patrick Eaves misses next season), and it also pushes prospects such as Sam Steel and Troy Terry (even though they are natural centers) to earn spots.

This also won’t rock the boat in Montreal. Agostino is a depth guy and an AHL option. But if Carr can play over 30 games on this roster and actually thrive for the first 10 or 15 – then so could Agostino.

As I already stated, the key dark horse here is Czarnik. He’s another small, skilled guy in his mid-20s who just needs a chance. This could be your Jonathan Marchessault signing (that Florida had two summers ago) for 2018.

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Austin Czarnik

2. Daniel Carr

3. Kenny Agostino

4. Anton Rodin

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

Doesn’t hurt anybody.