The Seattle Kraken traded Mason Appleton back to the Winnipeg Jets for a fourth-round draft pick.

The Kraken get: well, a draft pick. Pretty straightforward.

The Jets get: A player they are familiar with. Appleton is now entering his prime, having turned 26 just over a month ago. After starting the season late due to injury, Appleton understandably started slow. He had just one point in his first 10 games, which was essentially his training camp. Since then he has 16 points in 39 games. This is about the same pace that he was on with the Jets a year ago with similar ice time and similar PP time. However, this year his zone starts have been strictly defensive. And he’s done very well with that duty – strong relative possession numbers.

Fantasy Players Impacted: There is some upside here with Appleton, but he needs to play with the right players. That’s probably not going to happen this season. But pay attention to the spurts of production when he does get chances on a scoring line. Andrew Copp had a career season last year and that was with Appleton as his linemate for the majority of his even-strength points. Copp is probably going to be traded, but the point is – Appleton did play a role in helping him produce. The Jets may move Paul Stastny back to center once Copp goes, and then Appleton gets a look on a scoring line.

With Calle Jarnkrok, Appleton and Colin Blackwell now gone – Ryan Donato will get the opportunity to push hard for a contract extension and salvage his career as an NHLer. He will likely have until shortly after prospect Matty Beniers joins the team (likely) by mid-April.

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

Appleton

Donato

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

none