Ottawa Senators ship defenseman Dion Phaneuf and center Nate Thompson to the Los Angeles Kings for Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore.

The Senators get: some cash and cap savings. Just over $5 million saved over the next three years, with cap savings of close to $1 million next season and close to $500 thousand in the ensuing two.

Yesterday if you thought Phaneuf would be traded you would have figured for a prospect and a pick? Nope, a few hundred thousand bucks.
Something to keep in mind when putting together future trades in your head.

— Dobber (@DobberHockey) February 14, 2018

In terms of player assets, Gaborik is a 36-year-old former superstar whose body has worn down from injuries and to be honest is only in the NHL now because of his big name and bigger contract. He had 14 points in his first 22 games this year, so with proper implementation he still has the ability to help. I’d be surprised if he managed another 14 points this year though.

The 25-year-old Shore is an adequate checking-line player who can play center and chip in 30 points. He doesn’t have the physical style that suits him for that role though, and he only wins about 50% of his faceoffs (even less, this year so far).

The Kings get: a solid minute-munching rearguard in Phaneuf, with leadership and experience. And in Thompson they get a 33-year-old faceoff specialist and penalty killer who is humming along at a 56.3% success rate at the dot this year.

Fantasy Players Impacted: This trade was all about saving a bit of cash for the Senators, and upgrading the defense for the Kings. But there is definitely a trickle effect.

Phaneuf is a lefty shot who plays on the second power play. Drew Doughty is a right-handed shot, but Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez are left shooters like Phaneuf. So right now Doughty gets top PP time and that will continue. Muzzin and Martinez have had almost an even split of PP time, but Muzzin has been more successful. You may see Martinez get taken right off the PP unit altogether. I think Muzzin holds onto his spot with Doughty, but Martinez and Derek Forbort could be the ones who suffer. And Christian Folin could wind up in the press box despite being one of just three right-handed shots.

With Gaborik gone, there is more ice time to be had for Michael Amadio, Jonny Brodzinski and Andy Andreoff. Amadio had 35 points in 32 AHL games before being called up, while Brodzinski had 16 points in 13 AHL games so those two in particular bear watching for a small uptick.

In Ottawa, I remember Cody Ceci going on a big run in terms of producing solid points before they acquired Phaneuf from Toronto. The production promptly stopped and has never resumed. However, now Thomas Chabot is on the scene so things are different. Ceci is a righty shot while Chabot (and the departing Phaneuf) is a lefty. While Ceci may see an uptick in PP time, Chabot should see a big one. To the point where I think Chabot should be picked up right now in one-year leagues.

Fantasy players this helps, in order:

1. Chabot

2. Amadio

3. Brodzinski

4. Phaneuf

5. Ceci

Fantasy players this hurts, in order:

1. Gaborik, though he may see initial uptick first few games

2. Chris DiDomenico

This is the type of breakdown you can expect to see on Trade Deadline Day, as each trade happens. Be sure to join us!