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The following three trades are all based on pure speculation, but each move would come with significant fantasy implications. Each player listed as been heavily involved in trade rumors and the following destinations not only make sense, but would also maximize their fantasy value.
C/LW Matt Duchene to Pittsburgh
It's rare for the Pittsburgh Penguins to have Cs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin healthy, so don't be shocked if general manager Jim Rutherford tries to pull off a bold trade like this in an attempt to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. Pittsburgh has only $5.1 million in cap space, per Spotrac, so some shifting of contracts would need to be done in order to accommodate Duchene's $6 million cap hit.
Though he is a natural center, Duchene has spent a good chunk of time playing the wing throughout his career. If this move were to come to fruition, he would be placed on a line with either Crosby or Malkin, therefore substantially increasing his fantasy value. This would be a dream come true for Duchene owners.
D Kevin Shattenkirk to Toronto
The St. Louis Blues are 7-2 since Mike Yeo took over as head coach. As a result, they have climbed back into third place in the Central Division and may have second thoughts about moving Shattenkirk, who is set to become a UFA at the end of the season. However, it doesn't seem likely St. Louis will sign him to a contract extension considering they have Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko on the right side of the back end.
If Shattenkirk does get moved, the Toronto Maple Leafs would be an ideal destination. Not only do they have plenty of cap room and a plethora of prospects, but they are also desperate for a top defenseman like Shattenkirk. If St. Louis were seeking someone who could help them now rather than prospects and picks, LW James van Riemsdyk could come in as legitimate trade chip.
Shattenkirk would go from being the fourth-most used defenseman in terms of minutes played on a St. Louis team ranked 25th in 5v5 xGF60 (expected goals for per 60 minutes) to the most-used defenseman on a Leafs team sitting second in xGF60. In addition to Toronto's 5v5 numbers, he would also anchor their league-best power play.
G Ben Bishop to Winnipeg
Bishop is a UFA at the end of the season. Andrei Vasilevskiy looks like their goaltender of the future, so keeping Bishop past March 1 doesn't make sense considering the Lightning are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division.
The only issue with trading Bishop and his $5.95 million cap hit is finding a potential suitor. The Jets have only $4.5 million in cap space, so fellow goaltender Ondrej Pavelec, who is also a UFA at the end of the year, might have to head back the other way to make it work.
The Jets have the eighth-lowest xGA60 (expected goals against per 60 minutes) at 5v5 this year, but they have allowed the fourth-most goals against per game. Shoddy goaltending and a poor penalty kill are the main reasons for this discrepancy.
Bishop and Vasilevskiy have been splitting starting duties all season, so the stock of each goaltender would rise in this situation. Jets G Connor Hellebuyck would be droppable.
Advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockey.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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