This article is part of our Left, Right & Center series.
No matter if you're competing for prizes or playing for next season, trading can prove to be a tricky exercise. Of course, if your league isn't of the carry-over variety, then we'll allow you to skip ahead to the main section.
When you're chasing success, how much do you sacrifice to acquire current help? Conversely, with nothing to play for now, how much should you expect in return to relinquish valuable assets?
The answer to the first question depends on team evaluation and decision-making. If you look at your roster and can identify room for upgrade, then go out and seek the necessary tools. However, you may be in a position where you can't decide whether you're ready for a run or better off looking ahead. Resolving this dilemma requires the knowledge to project your team's path based on statistics and future projections to imagine how a move or two will impact the next few weeks (and months).
As to the question of how to handle transactions when you've basically given up, this also involves a multi-step process. First, decide which of your players will benefit others the most and figure out how much each is worth. Next, depending on your needs, search the other rosters and target cheap keepers and/or prospects. Put the last two processes together and negotiate a deal. Or wait until the contenders come to you with offers and then choose which one suits best.
With these scenarios in mind, let's look at the current crop
No matter if you're competing for prizes or playing for next season, trading can prove to be a tricky exercise. Of course, if your league isn't of the carry-over variety, then we'll allow you to skip ahead to the main section.
When you're chasing success, how much do you sacrifice to acquire current help? Conversely, with nothing to play for now, how much should you expect in return to relinquish valuable assets?
The answer to the first question depends on team evaluation and decision-making. If you look at your roster and can identify room for upgrade, then go out and seek the necessary tools. However, you may be in a position where you can't decide whether you're ready for a run or better off looking ahead. Resolving this dilemma requires the knowledge to project your team's path based on statistics and future projections to imagine how a move or two will impact the next few weeks (and months).
As to the question of how to handle transactions when you've basically given up, this also involves a multi-step process. First, decide which of your players will benefit others the most and figure out how much each is worth. Next, depending on your needs, search the other rosters and target cheap keepers and/or prospects. Put the last two processes together and negotiate a deal. Or wait until the contenders come to you with offers and then choose which one suits best.
With these scenarios in mind, let's look at the current crop of forwards and see who's making a move, dropping down, and climbing the charts:
Left Wing
Two Steps Forward: Patrick Marleau, San Jose
The Fountain of Youth is real and it resides in the Bay Area. Joe Thornton shocked the fantasy world last year, and now it's the Sharks' other 37-year old forward who is defying expectations. After another dropoff campaign, Marleau stumbled through the opening section (eight points in his first 26 games). The stats started to pick up the next month (11 in 14) and he's been awesome the last couple weeks (seven goals and three assists in six, including a four-goal effort). With a sweet gig on the top power-play and a regular role beside Logan Couture, a return above the 50-point plateau for Marleau seems reasonable.
Broken Wing: Matt Beleskey, Boston
The Bruins' prized summer signing has hardly lived up to expectations. Beleskey earned a contract (five years, $19 million) after impressing in Anaheim with his significant skill and generous grit. He reached a career high in 2015-16 (37 points in 80 contests) and was set to develop further this season. A knee problem may have robbed Beleskey of 22 appearances, but the remaining material (seven in 31, minus-9) has proven less than satisfactory. He won't improve much sitting outside the top six, but there's hope if he can keep hold of his diminishing power-play role (down to 1:30 since returning) with a new coach in town.
Between the Lines: Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida
When Huberdeau went down in the preseason with a nasty Achilles injury, it ended up foreshadowing the Panthers' eventual decline. Florida tried to fill the gaping hole beside Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr with other candidates, but none could fill the requirements left behind by the third pick from the 2011 Draft. In case you didn't hear, Huberdeau returned Friday and made a memorable season debut. Even though the ownership numbers are rising (up to 63% on Yahoo!), he's still available in a few leagues. Grab him before it's too late.
Right Wing
Two Steps Forward: Mitch Marner, Toronto
Previously profiled in October for his potential, Marner reappears as a main member of this year's elite rookie class. He may receive less attention than Auston Matthews or Patrik Laine, but he's currently leading all freshmen in scoring (with 45 points). This fact may not be totally surprising, especially considering Marner's junior numbers (over 300 points in three OHL seasons). His future in Toronto looks bright, but his present is already filled with enough excitement.
Broken Wing: Justin Abdelkader, Detroit
From someone who scored his first two NHL goals in the 2009 Cup Finals to serving as a lower-level forward is not the route Abdelkader envisioned. But here he is, mired in the middle of a slow patch (three assists in 12 outings) within a weak Wings workforce. The Michigan State grad provides some value by being used in front of the net on the man advantage (while averaging over two minutes) and dishing a few hits (78 on the year), but that's not enough to make up for the lack of offensive production.
Between the Lines: Matthew Nieto, Colorado
After a solid postseason run with San Jose (16 games), Nieto was rewarded with a one-year deal. After a few weak efforts (didn't find the scoresheet until his ninth game) and subsequent wave of healthy scratches, he was put on waivers in early January. The Avs snatched him up and he's gradually becoming a mainstay in a young lineup (five points in 11). Since moving to Denver, his ice time has significantly increased (almost five minutes more). With Colorado in strong contention for this year's No. 1 draft selection, Nieto should get ample opportunity to prove he can consistently perform.
Center
Two Steps Forward: Adam Henrique, New Jersey
Many Rangers fans will remember Henrique as the one who broke their hearts, but the former Windsor Spitfire began this season by disappointing fantasy owners (eight points in 19 contests). However, since late November, he has notched a few fine efforts (23 points, including goals in four of his last five) in reclaiming his share of Jersey's top center role. The Devils may not be the most prolific team offensively, but Henrique, at the very least, sits among the league's better available options down the middle.
Broken Wing: Jori Lehtera, St. Louis
A few months ago, we assumed Lehtera would boost his falling figures while matched with great talent. Unfortunately, since that virtual pep talk, the Finn has floundered (two goals, nine assists in 32 games) by mixing in an appearance in the press box and a significant slash to his workload to the multitude of zero-point nights. Lehtera was never an elite power-play performer (16 combined PPPs the last two seasons, two this year), but that part of his game has been completely removed until further notice.
Between the Lines: Alex Burmistrov, Arizona
It's amazing to think Burmistrov made his debut as an 18-year old with the Atlanta Thrashers. Many talked up the eighth pick of 2010 as a future star with unlimited potential. After a pair of lackluster campaigns (totaling 38 points in 120 appearances), the Russian bolted for the KHL and gained a newfound maturity. Burmistrov returned to Winnipeg and fared admirably, albeit without much to show (21 in 81 in 2015-16, two in 23 this year). He was placed on waivers on New Year's Day and caught the eye of the Coyotes. The initial returns have been pleasantly surprising (goal, five assists in nine), and the totals should prove decent as long as Arizona continues to look to the future.
