A closer look into the deals that put Daniel Sprong in Washington, and Joel Persson, Sonny Milano and Christian Djoos in Anaheim.

There were a few prospects with some upside who will get a fresh start. And although these prospects are in full-on “last chance” mode, maybe one or two of them catch lightning in a bottle. All four of these players, at one time or another, were highly regarded prospects in fantasy hockey.

Anaheim Trades Sprong to Washington for Djoos

Anaheim gets: A potential power-play quarterback who has figured out the AHL, but after 110 NHL games he hasn’t figured things out yet at that level. Djoos has 90 points in his last 108 AHL games. The 25-year-old spent his early 20s as one of Washington’s top prospects. His prospect scouting profile is here.

Washington gets: an offensively-gifted winger with 97 games of NHL experience – and he’s still only 22. He provides depth for the Capitals if, come playoff time, they lose one of their scoring wingers. And in the fall, perhaps he could make a cheap addition to the roster. At his age, it’s too soon to write him off. Prospect profile here.

Edmonton Trades Persson to Anaheim for prospect goalie Angus Redmond and a conditional seventh-round pick

Edmonton gets: an ECHL goaltender with little upside, and the lowest possible asset they could – a conditional seventh. Redmond was added to the deal to balance out the number of contracts Vegas has.

Anaheim gets: a talented, late-blooming, puck-moving defenseman. The Oilers aggressively recruited Persson over in Sweden and even signed him for a full year knowing that he would remain in Europe for that year – they just wanted his rights. But the 25-year-old was not quite ready for the NHL. He’s been doing fine in the AHL so far with 16 points in 27 games for Bakersfield. Anaheim, as they did with Djoos, are just trying to find a diamond in the rough. They need a quarterback and both Persson and Djoos have that ability and upside. Will one of them step forward? Prospect profile here.

Columbus Trades Milano to Anaheim for Devin Shore

Columbus gets: a third-liner who was a steady 30- to 35-point player, but who had fallen off this year and had been scratched on occasion despite playing for a rather weak team. Still only 25, Coach John Tortorella may be able to get something out of him.

Anaheim gets: a talented but inconsistent scoring forward. Work ethic and consistency have dogged Milano since he was a teenager. He was skilled enough to be selected 16th overall in 2014. Now 23, this year he is on pace to get 32 points. Scouting prospect profile here.

Fantasy Players Impacted: All of these players are impacted positively because they each get a fresh start – and each of them desperately needed it. Which ones stand the best chance at success? Here is my best guess, in order of odds of turning it around and becoming a successful NHL player:

1. Djoos. The Ducks need a quarterback and right now they are holding auditions for anyone and everyone. This entire day was spent grabbing every young asset with talent they could find. They will spend the next month throwing it all at the wall and see what sticks. If they can get one productive NHLer between Djoos, Milano and Danton Heinen, then today will have been a success.
2. Persson. As with Djoos, Persson could fill a void that the team desperately needs filled. I think one of their experiments on defense has a greater chance of succeeding than their Milano experiment.
3. Milano. Again it is all about opportunity, and Anaheim is giving plenty of that
4. Sprong. If his chance comes, it will come in the fall. And it will depend on what the Caps do in the offseason. If he gets a chance, he is the type of prospect who will need a lot of help in the form of quality linemates and ice time.
   
   These are the players involved in minor deals that you may have overlooked, and I just felt that I should put them on your radar. Just in case…