Now that the post-trade deadline dust has largely settled and most "fresh faces in new places" have had at least one competitive turn in their respective landing spots, we have a better idea of exactly what teams are expecting from their acquisitions as well as how some popular fantasy assets on "selling" teams have been impacted, now that they've lost some key supporting cast members.
There's also consideration to give to the fantasy fallout from moves that didn't happen as perhaps some had anticipated. For instance, Boston's No. 2 center remains the same, which many thought might not be the case once the trade curtain fell last Friday afternoon. (We'll have more on why you might want to give that fellow a longer fantasy-related look in a bit.)
Schedule-wise, we're in for our usual Wednesday-Friday rhythm where the large majority of the league is on the ice on Thursday, sandwiched between much lighter daily dockets. It's worth noting that only the Winnipeg Jets and Los Angeles Kings are active on both Wednesday and Friday. Have your favorite assets from those two clubs at the fantasy ready.
Also, please don't shy away from less-popular assets on non-contenders when the matchup seems more favorable. For example, there's an argument to be made for opting for a lesser commodity with, say, the San Jose Sharks when they visit downtrodden Pittsburgh, or when the Arizona Coyotes touch down in Detroit, rather than one engaged in a heavyweight battle between two contending clubs such as the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers.
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Stock Up
Casey DeSmith, G, Vancouver Canucks: In need of a fantasy netminder? How about the regular starter for one of the league's best teams over the next few weeks? With Thatcher Demko sidelined, DeSmith is going to be mighty busy for the foreseeable future, perhaps even starting every one of Vancouver's eight upcoming home games (if not beyond). For the record, he had played eight straight for the Penguins (not to the quality of this Canucks team) last season and managed well enough. If you're struggling between the fantasy pipes, you need to look at Vancouver's No. 2.
Evgeny Kuznetsov, F, Carolina Hurricanes: When they face a goalie who isn't as tuned in as Igor Shesterkin was on Tuesday, this new Canes unit of Jake Guentzel, Kuznetsov, and Martin Necas is going to contribute. While Guentzel and Necas are overwhelmingly spoken for across the universe of ESPN fantasy hockey leagues, the former Capital very much is not.
Wyatt Johnston, F, Dallas Stars: After going on about Logan Stankoven these past couple of weeks, it's also worth rolling out the reminder that the rookie's young linemate is producing at an impressive pace. Despite potting five goals and three assists in his most recent four games, Johnston remains available in 65% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Mikael Granlund, F, San Jose Sharks: Even if, as anticipated, they only win a small handful of games from now until mid-April, the Sharks are still going to score goals. A reasonable number of them will likely come from their top center. Logging more than 23 minutes per game since the deadline, Granlund is set to enjoy plenty of opportunities to pitch in at even strength and with the extra skater alongside some hungry young players intent on proving themselves.
Pavel Zacha, F, Boston Bruins: There you have it. Post-deadline, Zacha remains the second-line center for the playoff-bound Bruins. Competing on a scoring line with fellow Czech David Pastrnak, the 26-year-old is riding a five-game point streak with five goals and three assists. He's largely available.
Cam York, D, Philadelphia Flyers: Blocking shots to the tune of 3.44 per game over this past month, York also has three goals and four assists (including a power-play helper) to show for his last eight contests. It's no wonder why he's seen a big boost in minutes. If you could use a shot-blocking defender with some offensive upside, check to see if York is free.
Stock Down
Rickard Rakell, F, Pittsburgh Penguins: Bumped by Bryan Rust from Sidney Crosby's line to the third, Rakell is now seeing limited, less-valuable minutes for a club that's floundering badly. That's not much of a promising fantasy formula, is it? Plus, there's the winger's one goal and one assist in eight games. Time to cut him loose.
Jacob Markstrom, G, Calgary Flames: He's listed as being day-to-day due to a lower-body injury and the Flames' freshly assembled defense (no Noah Hanifin, no Chris Tanev, etc.) appears to be in some disarray. Seemingly bummed out as a whole, the club has allowed 18 goals with three different netminders -- including Markstrom -- over the three games since Friday's trade deadline.
Joel Eriksson Ek, F, Minnesota Wild: This would serve as a massive loss for the Wild. Stay tuned for an update on the center's condition after he was forced from Tuesday's game against the Coyotes due to an injury. If Eriksson Ek is to miss any significant stretch, either Ryan Hartman or Marco Rossi should step up to the top line with Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy.
Streamer Specials
Alex Iafallo, F, Winnipeg Jets: The Jets host the Predators on Wednesday and the Ducks on Friday, while most other NHL teams are idle. Iafallo could make a good deal of fantasy noise on a new unit with Tyler Toffoli and Sean Monahan, when few others are skating -- just like he did when scoring against the Capitals on Monday.
Marc-Andre Fleury, G, Minnesota Wild: Winner of three-straight, and nine of his last 11, the veteran netminder could get the nod against a visiting Ducks squad on Thursday. Anaheim has been outscored 19-5 over their last three games. By all means, if Filip Gustavsson earns the start for the Wild, play him instead.
David Rittich, G, Los Angeles Kings: Bouncing off an impressive shutout performance of the red-hot Islanders on Monday, Rittich might be in line for a second straight start against St. Louis during Wednesday's light four-game schedule (or maybe on Friday in Chicago, when only one other team sees action). Rittich -- or even Cam Talbot, for that matter -- sports solid streaming appeal in either matchup.