The NHL has reached the halfway mark of the season. Keep in mind that most of these picks are for re-draft leagues and not dynasty pools. Here are some players that you could deal for and trade elsewhere.
TRADE FOR
Jonathan Drouin, W, Avalanche (35% rostered)
Drouin has been injured most of the season and it shows up in his stats, as he has just three goals and eight points, albeit in only nine games. The great news is that he is back on the top line with his former junior linemate Nathan MacKinnon, as well as Mikko Rantanen. That’s one of the top three lines in the NHL.
Drouin played major minutes alongside the duo last season and ended up with 19 goals and a career-high 56 points in 79 games. He is also on the first power play with MacKinnon and Rantanen, a spot where he managed five goals and 19 points in 2023-24.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Drouin and a sixth-round pick for an 11th-round pick.
Pettersson is either going to eventually get dealt or figure out his situation with the Canucks. I’m a firm believer in trading for someone you like when things aren’t going well (and paying a lower price) rather than targeting him at, or near the top, of his game.
Pettersson is currently on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, but he could return later this week. Pettersson has 10 goals and 28 points in 34 games this season, but had 102 points and 89 points in each of his last two seasons. It’s a risky move, but I think one that will pay off, especially in fantasy league playoff action.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Pettersson for Jakob Chychrun.
David Pastrnak, W, Bruins (100% rostered)
Pastrnak has four goals in his last two games ahead of Tuesday’s tilt against the Oilers and has five goals and nine points in his last eight games. While Pastrnak has 17 goals and 42 points in 42 games (a great start for 95% of the league), he has had 113 and 110 points respectively in each of his last two seasons.
The reason I like him as a buy candidate is the 4 Nations Cup, which will take place in the middle of February between Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland. Pastrnak is from Czechia and will not play, allowing him to have a two-week break. He should come back from the holiday with guns ablazing and will have a big advantage over the star players who…