NHL Barometer: Trade Deadline Fallout

This week's column largely focuses on those whose value changed at the trade deadline supplemented by others in the style of the regular article.

First Liners (Risers)

Markus Granlund, C, CGY - Granlund, selected 45th overall in 2011, scored his first career goal in Calgary's win over the Senators on Wednesday. Two nights after recording an assist in a loss to the Wild while matching up against his brother, Mikael, Granlund, who notched 23 goals and 21 assists in 50 games with Abbotsford of the AHL, came up even bigger against the Senators. He was on the ice for 16:28, and his playing time should only climb from here with the Flames playing out the string on another losing season.

Anders Lee, C, NYI - The John Tavares injury and deal of Thomas Vanek have created opportunities on the Island, with Lee making the most of that chance. Lee notched his fourth goal in five games since being promoted on Thursday and has seven points in as many games over the course of his young NHL career. Lee's shown impressive fantasy potential in college, where he was one of Notre Dame's leading scorers, as well as in the AHL, where he's managed 41 points and 83 PIM in 54 games this year.

Chris Stewart, RW, BUF - Despite strong speculation that Stewart would be traded at the deadline, no deals materialized and he will stay a Buffalo Sabre for the time being. The Senators made no secret they coveted the big power forward, but could not come to an agreement with the Sabres. With term remaining on his contract, Stewart has value for the Sabres going forward. Though he struggles with inconsistency, he is still a capable 20-25 goal scorer who will get a chance to play in the top-six for Buffalo. Head coach Ted Nolan likes playing an aggressive, physical game, and Stewart fits the bill. He will most likely play alongside Cody Hodgson. His plus-minus may not be pretty on a team that will finish close to last next year, but he provides good value in other categories for a potential mid- to late-round pick. One word of caution is that he is dealing with a right ankle injury, so monitor his status.

Marian Gaborik, RW, LA - Gaborik was traded to the Kings on Wednesday in exchange for forward Matt Frattin and two draft picks. Gaborik has had a disappointing year for the Blue Jackets, but has proven himself healthy after returning from a collarbone injury Feb. 27, logging a goal and an assist in his four games out of the Olympic break. Even though he doesn't fit coach Darryl Sutter's style of solid two-way hockey, Gabby's ability to score is desperately needed on the Left Coast. He skated on a line with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams on Thursday.

Ales Hemsky, RW, OTT - The Senators acquired Hemsky from the Oilers on Wednesday in exchange for a third-round pick in 2015 and a fifth-round pick in 2014. Hemsky scored two goals against the Senators on Tuesday night, which apparently was enough to entice Ottawa into trading for him. The winger has nine goals and 17 assists in 55 games on the year, and will replace Cory Conacher on the active roster after the Sabres claimed Conacher off waivers on Wednesday. Hemsky is initially expected to skate on a line with Jason Spezza, boosting his value.

Mark Giordano, D, CGY - Giordano recorded two assists in Calgary's 4-1 win over the Senators on Wednesday. The blueliner picked up another two points Wednesday, as he continues to have a stellar year after returning from an injury early in the season. He now has 10 goals and 22 assists in 44 games, and has racked up four points in his last three contests.

Tyson Barrie, D, COL - Barrie drove home his ninth goal of the year -- his third against the Blackhawks -- on the power play as the Avalanche stormed out of Chicago with a 4-2 victory Tuesday. It held up as the game-winner. Barrie teed up a perfect pass from Erik Johnson and unloaded it into the back of the cage with 7:20 remaining, silencing the Madhouse on Madison. He also grabbed an assist and improved his plus-minus to a tidy plus-14 for the year. If you're in need of some help on the back end, look no further than the young British Columbian. He's quietly racked up a ridiculous 18 points in 20 games for the high-flying Avs since the calendar turned to 2014, so if he's available, jump on him ASAP.

Viktor Fasth, G, EDM - The Oilers acquired Fasth from Anaheim for a 2014 fifth-rounder and 2015 third-round pick. Edmonton has done a solid job of upgrading their goaltending with the addition of Ben Scrivens and Fasth this season. Fasth, who posted a 15-6-2 record, 2.18 GAA and .921 save percentage for Anaheim last season, could have a shot at the starting role should Scrivens falter but at this point in time he looks like the backup.

Eddie Lack, G, VAN - The aftershocks of Tuesday's blockbuster Roberto Luongo trade are still being felt, but Lack certainly acquitted himself well in his first post-Luongo start, limiting the Coyotes to one goal on 32 shots. The Canucks' non-existent offense ended up saddling him with a loss, something that could be a recurring theme even if Lack continues to produce excellent rate stats. Prior to Thursday's meltdown against Dallas, Lack was at 9-10-4 despite his shiny 2.05 GAA and .926 save percentage over 26 appearances and should hold off Jacob Markstrom, who came over for Luongo, for the time being.

Others include: David Legwand (Michigan native waives NTC to go play for his hometown Red Wings, possibly as top-line pivot), Cody Hodgson (four points in as many games), Nathan MacKinnon (extended his point streak to 13 games in dramatic fashion Thursday, setting up the game-winner with just 32 seconds left in overtime as the Avs upended Detroit 3-2), David Krejci (hat trick Tuesday, 55 points with a plus-27 in 62 games), Artem Anisimov (after I trade him in Rotowire Staff Keeper League, he heats up with goals in four straight), Nicklas Backstrom (hot since returning from Sochi), Tyler Seguin (career night on Thursday, totaling three goals, two assists), Claude Giroux (17 points in his last 10 games, and seven in his last three), David Desharnais (four straight games with an assist), Tyler Johnson (goal in each of his last two games and 19 over all on the season. Role could increase now that St. Louis has left), Michael Cammalleri (didn't end up getting traded, but has heated up a bit for the Flames), Joel Ward (points in three straight), Wayne Simmonds (posting solid numbers across the board), Patric Hornqvist (six points last eight games), Matt Moulson (should provide the Wild with another solid scoring option in the heat of playoff race), Lee Stempniak (gets boost if he sees top-six duty in Pittsburgh), Ryan O'Reilly (no signs of slowing), Cory Conacher (new lease on life after getting claimed off waivers from Ottawa by Buffalo), Jamie Benn (goal and two assists Thursday, three-game point streak and has two goals and seven assists through his last six games), Matt Read (eight points last 10 games), Mike Green (five assists last two games), Ryan Murphy (called back up by Carolina), Erik Johnson (two more assists Thursday, giving him 22 on the year), Francois Beauchemin (goals in back-to-back games), Andrew MacDonald (could see mild bump up with move to City of Brotherly Love), Matt Niskanen (five pints in last five games), Tyler Myers (six points last four games), Niklas Kronwall (on a night when Detroit retired Nicklas Lidstrom's number, his replacement as the top D-man in Motown notched his seventh of the season), Victor Hedman (four assists in his last four games), Jaroslav Halak (could replace Braden Holtby as the starter in Washington, D.C.) Ondrej Pavelec (better post-Olympic), Jhonas Enroth (should get the first crack at starting for Buffalo, though Michal Neuvirth will push him for the job), Darcy Kuemper (despite acquisition of Ilya Bryzgalov, he still should be No. 1 in Minnesota), Mike Smith (red-hot in Desert), and Roberto Luongo (goes from recently riding the pine in Vancouver to the starter once again in Florida),

Training Room (Injuries)

Steven Stamkos, C, TB - Stamkos was activated off injured reserve Thursday. After missing nearly the last four months with the broken leg, Stamkos returned to a Lightning lineup that looks radically different than it did Tuesday. Captain Martin St. Louis was dealt to the Rangers on Wednesday for Ryan Callahan, who is expected to play on the second line Thursday. Stamkos, flanked on the top line by Alex Killorn and Teddy Purcell, had five shots on goal in the Lightning's loss to Buffalo.

Pavel Datsyuk, C, DET - Datsyuk's knee injury will keep him out three weeks. GM Ken Holland said Datsyuk would not require surgery, but will instead be reevaluated after three weeks with the hope that he's put his knee issues behind him by that point. Datsyuk's long-term absence certainly explains Wednesday's acquisition of David Legwand, who figures to assume most of Datsyuk's duties at center.

Mark Scheifele, C, WPG - Scheifele has a sprained MCL and will miss the next 6-8 weeks resulting from a hit from Calvin de Haan on Tuesday. The 20-year-old center has played well for the Jets this season, recording 13 goals and 21 assists in 63 games, and producing at a steadier clip following a sluggish start to the season. Olli Jokinen figures to be the primary beneficiary of Scheifele's absence.

Mats Zuccarello, RW, NYR - Zuccarello (hand) will be a game-time decision Friday vs. the Hurricanes. The general sentiment seems to be that Zuccarello will be back in the fold Friday, and if he participates in morning skate without any setbacks, fantasy owners can probably feel comfortable rolling with him in their lineups. The addition of Zuccarello would only give further firepower to a Rangers lineup that acquired reigning Art Ross Trophy winner Martin St. Louis at the deadline.

Others include Brooks Laich (groin, DTD), Stephen Weiss (hernia, setback in recovery), Ryan Kesler (hand, in action), Darren Helm (headaches, DTD), Martin Hanzal (LBI, DTD), Jiri Hudler (UBI, DTD), Daniel Sedin (hamstring, out three weeks), Marian Hossa (UBI, expected to miss three weeks), Dennis Wideman (UBI, DTD), Justin Faulk (UBI, out 2-3 more games), Niklas Backstrom (abdominal soreness, will require surgery and is likely out for the season) and Pekka Rinne (hip, returned to action).

Fourth Liners/Press Boxers (Fallers)

Cody Eakin, C, DAL - After scoring 24 points in 48 games, last season, there was some hope and expectation that Eakin would take a step forward this year. That has not been the case, as Eakin has 29 points in 63 games. In addition, he has just one goal since January 23 despite serving as Dallas' second center.

Jeff Skinner, LW, CAR - Skinner went pointless in Carolina's 3-2 OT win over the Sharks on Tuesday, marking the sixth consecutive game he's failed to hit the scoresheet. Skinner continues to play heavy minutes on the Canes' top line alongside Eric Staal and rookie Elias Lindholm, but he's been maddeningly inconsistent of late. He's too good to stay this quiet for much longer, but feel free to go with a more reliable scoring option if you have one.

Matthew Carle, D, TB - Carle's assist Sunday was his first point in eight games, but he followed that up by going scoreless the past two games. He's on pace to hit 35 points this season, a number that would be right in line with his 35-to-40-point average. He is what he is, yet many, including myself, thought he would take a step forward when he went from Philly to Tampa Bay, but that as not been the case.

Tim Thomas, G, VAN - The Stars acquired Thomas from the Panthers for fellow goalie Dan Ellis. That trade robbed all of us of seeing if could Thomas play alongside Roberto Luongo while "pumping tires." Thomas was the clear No. 1 in Florida but the move to Dallas makes him a back up to Kari Lehtonen, albeit one who provides solid support and one who can step in easily if needed.

Others include Travis Zajac (31 points in 61 games), Derek Stepan (numbers are okay, but don't reflect on how poor of a season he really has had), Erik Cole (like Eakin, slumping in Big D), Teddy Purcell (36 points in 63 games, but could get shot as right wing on top line with Stamkos, so monitor that closely), Slava Voynov (25 points in 48 games last year, 23 in 64 this season), Dan Boyle (looks to be on downside of fine career), Henrik Lundqvist (three straight losses after the Olympic break) and Brian Elliott (opportunities will be limited with Ryan Miller in St. Louis).