Niklas Hagman- Hagman comes to Calgary with 20 goals on the year making it the third straight season that he has reached that plateau. He's a high energy, enthusiastic player whose offensive capabilities took some time to surface. Entering this season his career per 82 games line was 15-16-31 (goals,assists, points). He's a fine addition for the Flames who will contribute as a top 6 forward, and he's signed for another couple of seasons (through 2011/12). Like Matt Stajan (below), he's more of a complimentary player than a difference maker. I'd expect similar production from him on his new team.

Matt Stajan- Comes to Calgary with 16 goals, and 25 assists for 41 points in 56 games played this season. Once he scores his next goal that will give him a new career high in that category. He's a quality faceoff man whose best skill is his passing ability. At 26 years of age he's just entering his prime and slots in well as a complimentary player, and a second line center with the Flames. I don't expect him to have a huge productivity spike, but this is a fundamentally smart player who likely won't see any dropoff with the trade either.

Jamal Mayers- He's a 4th line energy player that's not fantasy relevant. The coaching staff will enjoy his gritty play, but he does absolutely nothing to help the team's struggling offense.

Ian White- Will replace Phaneuf on the blueline and should be able to step in and give his new team the same number of minutes. He's the crown jewel of this trade for Calgary to me. He has 9 goals on the season and was a plus player (+1) on a team that had allowed 48 more goals than it had scored at the time of the deal. I expect that his best hockey is still well ahead of him as he's only 25 years old.

Dion Phaneuf - It's been a very difficult season for Phaneuf who doesn't turn 25 until April 10 . He comes to Toronto with just 22 points (10 goals,12 assists) in 55 games this season. Entering the year his per 82 game statline for his career was 17 goals, 36 assists for 53 points. As defensemen often take much longer to blossom offensively, those numbers are absolutely fantastic. From an offensive standpoint he boasts a huge point shot, and combines it with very underrated passing skills. His size and tenacity are things that teams always covet when looking for defensemen. A year ago it would have been unthinkable to expect that this player might be moved. He's had an off year statistically, and reportedly had some issues with new coach Brent Sutter . Still young players with this kind of upside just about never change teams. I expect he'll get roughly the same number of minutes in Toronto and that he'll play at least as big a role on the powerplay. Toronto is currently 17th in scoring while Calgary resides at 27th. He's not going to recover enough  get to the 50 point level this season, but there is still plenty of time for him to regain his luster as one of the NHL's top offensive blueliners.

Fredrik Sjostrom- A much better NHL player than a fantasy player. A beautiful skater, he's a 26 year old who fits best as a third liner. The kind of guy that coaches want on the ice with a minute to go up a goal. His hands never caught up to his quality wheels so he's never going to become the offensive threat some thought he would.

Keith Aulie- A solid defensive defenseman and a fine prospect as an add on for the Leafs. He's huge at 6'6 220 and has had some international experience playing on Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Tournament. Since he'll spend the rest of the year with the Marlies (the Leafs AHL affiliate) he has no current fantasy value. His numbers suggest he's not going to contribute much offensively, but he may be somebody to watch in coming season's as I expect he'll get a long look on the Toronto blueline possibly as soon as this fall's training camp.

Jean -Sebastien Giguere- The 32 year old moves from Anaheim (ranked 24th defensively) to Toronto (currently last in the NHL defensively). He's going to get a bump in playing time as he becomes the Leafs number 1 netminder after backing up Jonas Hiller in Anaheim. You won't be able to rely on him for wins, or a solid Goals Against Average or Save Percentage. His arrival will deflate what little value Jonas Gustavsson had in single year leagues. This is a late season audition for a player whose stock is significantly down and who still carries a large salary cap figure (6 million a season). I doubt he suddenly reverts to what he was a few seasons ago but he'll buy the Leafs more time to develop Gustavsson albeit at a significant salary.

Jason Blake- Tenacious forward who has had an NHL career built on sheer will rather than any one dominant skill. He's now a 4 million dollar a year player and has not produced statistics to justify a cap number anywhere near that level (he has just 10 goals and 16 assists in 57 contests this season). He's persevered after being diagnosed with leukemia a few years back which is to be admired, but there is little doubt he's no longer capable of anything close to 30 goals. If he's on your waiver wire he's somebody worth watching as he may get a short term spark from his change of venue. Early indications are that he'll begin his Ducks career on a line with Saku Koivu, and Teemu Selanne so Anaheim is certainly affording him the opportunity to succeed by placing him there.

Vesa Toskala- Has been miscast as an NHL starter and will slide in as the backup in Anaheim behind the recently extended Jonas Hiller (4 years, 18 million). Toskala has an expiring contract this summer and will no doubt be back on the free agent market again. He's a pickup for you if you have the space on your bench and already have Jonas Hiller rostered and want to guard against his injury.

 

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Tags: Niklas Hagman  Matt Stajan  Jamal Mayers  Ian White  Dion Phaneuf  Fredrik Sjostrom  Keith Aulie  Jean-Sebastien Giguere  Jonas Hiller  Jason Blake  Saku Koivu  Teemu Selanne Vesa Toskala  Jonas Hiller.