Fantasy Impact: The St. Louis Blues have dealt winger David Perron to the Edmonton Oilers for winger Magnus Paajarvi and a second-round pick in 2014.

The Blues get: A speedy winger with untapped offensive upside and an improved defensive game. At this point, Paajarvi is a solid third-line player, playing responsible hockey and chipping in with the occasional point. But fantasy owners have been very disappointed with him to date, and wonder if he will ever become even half the fantasy own we had hoped back when he was drafted. He had 14 points in his last 27 games. He is a restricted free agent. The Blues also get a good draft pick.

The Oilers get: A skilled, six-year veteran who played a full season after missing a huge chunk of two years with symptoms stemming from a concussion. Perron still has three years left on his contract at $3.8 million per season (Cap Geek). 

Fantasy Players Impacted: From a fantasy standpoint, Perron’s numbers have stagnated with virtually no signs that they will improve. Here are his points-per-game stats:

2007-08 – 0.44

2008-09 – 0.62

2009-10 – 0.57

2010-11 – mostly injured

2011-12 – 0.74

2012-13 – 0.52

Perron will probably fall into that 50- to 55-point range, which is more than Paajarvi will provide in the season ahead (and the season after that one, as well). But Paajarvi has more upside over the long term. Will he hit it? I believe that his chances of doing so are reduced with St. Louis.

As you can see by the below potential line combinations, the absence of Perron bumps Jaden Schwartz up a line. And bringing in the Swede Paajarvi could actually help the Swede Patrik Berglund get going. 

I mused in the Monday ramblings that a trade will probably happen to ease the logjam up front:

“

Many are of the opinion thatChris Stewart has to go. But why does it have to be him? Who would you rather have, David Perron or Stewart? I think you need the size and toughness and so I would move Perron.

“

Potential line combos:

Taylor Hall – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle

David Perron – Sam Gagner – Ales Hemsky

Jesse Joensuu – Anton Lander – Nail Yakupov

Ryan Jones – Boyd Gordon – Ryan Smyth

Mike Brown

Alex Steen – David Backes – TJ Oshie

Jaden Schwartz – Derek Roy – Chris Stewart

Magnus Paajarvi – Patrik Berglund – Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Sobotka – Maxim Lapierre – Ryan Reaves

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Schwartz 

2. Perron

3. Berglund

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Paajarvi