Special to Yahoo Sports
With the March 8 trade deadline fast approaching, Vancouver and Winnipeg got an early start with a couple of big moves during the All-Star break. The Canucks landed Elias Lindholm from Calgary, while the Jets acquired Sean Monahan from Montreal. For fantasy purposes, both players make for intriguing pickups on their new teams. Andrei Kuzmenko, who was shipped to the Flames in the Lindholm deal, could be worth targeting in your fantasy league as well.
We also have an emerging talent for your consideration as well as a couple of players who could be moved to bolster your roster for the home stretch.
TRADE FOR
Elias Lindholm, C, Vancouver Canucks (77% rostered)
Lindholm has been a disappointment in 2023-24 following three straight seasons of steady production. He only has nine goals and 32 points through 49 appearances this campaign despite averaging a career-high 20:45 of ice time per outing. Even if Lindholm doesn’t return to the point-per-game form he displayed in 2021-22, he should get an offensive boost following the trade. Vancouver has been firing on all cylinders, and Lindholm will occupy key roles in the Canucks’ lineup. That should help him rebound from a discouraging 6.9% shooting rate, which has dropped significantly from his 14.7% success rate over his previous six seasons.
Lindholm is projected to work on the top power-play unit and skate alongside Elias Pettersson during even-strength situations. Lindholm has been skating on the wing in practices, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he took the majority of the faceoffs, which have been an area of strength for him over the years. He will also likely continue to have a big role on the penalty kill with the Canucks after he ranked second on the Flames in short-handed ice time. Fantasy managers patiently waiting for Lindholm to get a change of scenery should work quickly to scoop him up. He has the potential to be a great fit for Vancouver.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Lindholm for Ryan O’Reilly
Andrei Kuzmenko, LW/RW, Calgary Flames (52% rostered)
Kuzmenko appeared as a trade-away option earlier this season due to his offensive struggles. After bursting onto the NHL scene with 39 goals and 74 points across 81 outings in 2022-23, he had only eight goals and 21…