Fantasy Impact: In a blockbuster, the Minnesota Wild have traded star center Mikael Granlund to the Nashville Predators for winger Kevin Fiala.

The Wild get: a shifty, speedy winger on the rise. Fiala was a little buried in Nashville and hasn't seen his ice time move from 15 minutes per game over the last two seasons. Last year he showed signs of a breakout with 48 points, but this year – his third – it didn't happen. Next year will be his fourth NHL season. 

The Predators get: a first-line center or first-line winger who is so talented that he could make the second line into more of a 1A line. Granlund is just entering his prime and he is going to hit 67 points this season for the third year in a row.

Fantasy Players Impacted: It's probably doubtful that Granlund breaks up the Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson line. And since the team already has Kyle Turris and Nick Bonino, it's easy to imagine Granlund on the second line as a winger. So under that scenario, Turris gets a massive upgrade. Ditto for Wayne Simmonds (whom the Preds acquired in the middle of my writing this up – that breakdown will be coming). This helps the first line get freed up a little bit, but when it comes to the power play – does Ryan Johansen lose his spot to Granlund? On one hand you have chemistry. On the other hand, Granlund would probably upgrade it. Let's take a stab at the line combos:

Forsberg – Johansen – Arvidsson

Granlund – Turris – Simmonds

Calle Jarnkrok – Bonino – Craig Smith

Colton Sissons – Brian Boyle – Rocco Grimaldi

Depth: Cody McLeod

In Minnesota, Fiala's fantasy value soars. He will see first-line minutes and top PP minutes. Fiala owners just cashed in big time because he was barely a blip in trade rumors until this weekend. And now suddenly he's the Golden Boy. And that's what he is – a Golden Boy. Because Minnesota just gave up their star player for him, so they will put everything they can into making sure Fiala makes them look good. He has to flourish or they look bad. Golden. Boy.

As far as slotting Fiala in for Granlund, the bodies in the top six remain equal – one for one. But Fiala is a winger and they had Granlund at center. So Joel Eriksson Ek moves up to the second line where he is out of place. The Wild have tried Ryan Donato at center a little bit so perhaps they go there a little more. That would knock Pontus Aberg from his tryout in the top six.

Fantasy players this helps, in order:

1. Fiala

….big gap…

2. Turris

3. Simmonds

Fantasy players this hurts, in order:

1. Granlund

2. Aberg

3. Luke Kunin

4. Smith

5. Jarnkrok

This trade is being discussed right now in the forum here – add your two cents!