Grebeshkov

Fantasy Analysis: The Oilers have traded defenseman Denis Grebeshkov to Nashville for a second-round draft pick in 2010.

The Oilers get: a good draft pick for an unproven, but very promising rearguard. Lots of cap space was just cleared.

The Preds get: an offensive rearguard who is now entering his prime. Grebeshkov should have about 25 to 30 points at this time of the year, but instead he has regressed, managing just 19. Nashville needs offense and even though they have Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, Grebeshkov gives their second PP unit a nice boost. This move paves the way for a Dan Hamhuis deal.

Fantasy Players Impacted: Tom Gilbert already sees a lot of power-play time. But now with Grebeshkov gone and Souray probably soon to follow, it is looking like the Oilers will go with Lubomir Visnovsky and Gilbert to run their PP. Grebeshkov gets a change of scenery and a more positive environment to work in.

Regarding the young defensemen in the Preds’ system, specifically Cody Franson and Jonathan Blum, this will not have any impact on their long-term value. Those two are stud blue-chippers who will be just fine. If the Preds don’t make room for them, then they will be moved. But they are too strong assets to get anything less than future stud treatment. However, in the short term it was looking as though Franson would be fairly decent in terms of fantasy value. That takes a small hit now, even though the team will move Hamhuis.

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Players this helps, in order:

1. Denis Grebeshkov

2. Tom Gilbert

Players this hurts, in order:

1. Cody Franson (short-term only)