If you could go back and live in any time era, which would it be?
These are the kinds of questions that arise during long field exercises or deployment. Inevitably, profound conversation is ousted by food talk – pizza, steak, chicken wings, ribs….
With the Fantasy Hockey and NHL trade deadlines approaching, I began to think about the days of barter and trade. I recently watched some Netflix series about the fur traders (mmm Jason Momoa! Gratuitous picture – 
you’re welcome!) Trading and the trade posts have the allure of the wilderness, freedom, adventure, lawlessness, and simplicity. Although it sounds wonderful, it was a tough life characterized by the wilderness, lack of formal rules, exposure to the elements, and a scarce supply of food. The trading posts were established to provide food and increase the survivability of the hunters and traders.
So, before making or accepting a trade, look beyond the allure and desire for something better. Know as much as possible that what is gained is worth what is given up.
Trade Targets
Leon Draisaitl, C/RW, Edmonton Oilers, 98% Yahoo! Owned: Draisaitl has not performed to the level of his 16th pre-season overall rank (currently ranked 74th); however, the points are increasing so put in an offer soon. Draisaitl skates alongside Connor McDavid which provides two advantages. McDavid is the team stud and gets all the hype. Also, McDavid turns up the performance the second half of the season. Draitsaitl’s performance is directly proportional to McDavid’s. When McDavid is getting points, Draisaitl is getting points. Although McDavid’s price is too lofty, Draitsaitl’s is within reach.
Gabriel Landeskog, LW, 72% Yahoo! Owned, Colorado Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon will be back on Sunday, February 18th after being out due to a shoulder injury since February 1st. If MacKinnon is still owned, it is unlikely that the owner will part now from one of the hottest players this season – definitely not for a decent price. However, it is possible to negotiate for the left winger Landeskog whose production went down when MacKinnon went down, Before the Avs lost their star center, Landeskog had 19 goals, 19 assists, plus-14, and 20 PIM in 45 games. In the eight games without MacKinnon, Landeskog hasn’t scored a goal. But MacKinnon is back and the Avalanche have a chance for a Wild Card spot. Expect Landeskog to increase production with MacKinnon back.
Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins, 98% Yahoo! Owned: Kris Letang has been a bit of a disappointment. The highly ranked defenseman has five goals, 31 assists, and a Minus-8 rating on the season. Last 10 games – two goals, six assists, and plus-6 rating. The numbers don’t look good, but they are slowly getting better. Letang has 156 shots on goal, over 20 minutes of Time on Ice, and is getting Power Play time. Digging a little deeper, the hibernating Penguin has scored .95 points per game from January 1st to the end of the season going back to the 2013-2014 to 2016-2017 seasons, and scored 1.12 points per game at the end in 2016. Also, the Penguins are fighting to keep a playoff spot. Defensemen are scarce so a good one underperforming is a intriguing.
Trade Bait
Evengi Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins, 100% Yahoo! Owned: Want a big name, high producing skater for the championship sprint? Evengi Malkin is one of the hottest players right now whose production is unsustainable. The second line center has 33 goals and 36 assists for the season; 12 goals and 8 assists for the past 10 games. That’s a shooting percentage of 19.1% for the season; 38.7% for the past 10 games. Malkin has averaged 27.75 goals for the past four seasons. The incendiary production is not sustainable. Know a Penguin fan? Great target for a trade.
Brock Boeser, RW, Vancouver Canucks, 81% Yahoo! Owned: Boeser’s ownership had dropped significantly during a slump and injury. In November, the Canuck was the Rookie of the Month with 74% ownership, 26 goals and 21 assists. Oh yeah, the All-Star MVP was? Boeser. Since returning from a hand injury on February 11, the Canuck winger has scored a goal and an assist. Barzal has surpassed Boeser as the lead rookie; however, Barzal’s points come from assists. Boeser’s points come from goals. Goals are like homeruns – sexy. I’m infatuated with the kid, but a good return can be had by capitalizing on the rookie’s name and allure.
Evander Kane, LW, Buffalo Sabres, 85% Yahoo! Owned: Selling Kane may take some effort and padding. Essentially, the selling point is that 26-year old top line left winger is on the trading block. Couple that with the Sabres being one of the worst teams in the NHL and the worst in the Eastern Division. Seems the only direction for Kane to go is up. Capitalize on optimism.
Follow Elaine @Elaine_Speaks.
