TSN.ca reported earlier today that Pittsburgh traded Ryan Whitney to Anaheim for Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi (prospect). Seems like a pretty good deal for both sides at the moment. Both teams are in close playoff races and need the roster changes to at the very least wake up their teams.
Pittsburgh Fantasy Impact: The Pens get Kunitz and prospect Tangradi, who is having a good year in the OHL. Kunitz helps immediately as the Penguins desperately need good wingers to play with their superstar pivots. Regardless of who Kunitz ends up winging, be it Crosby or Malkin, his fantasy value gets an immediate boost. If he’s available in your league for whatever reason, snatch him up as soon as humanly possible. Pittsburgh’s defensemen logjam gets cleared up a bit with Whitney being shipped out. Gonchar is settling back into his role as the #1 d-man for the Pens and he is already producing quite nicely. This also means Letang (and maybe even Goligoski) will start becoming a factor again for the Pens’ blue line.
Anaheim Fantasy Impact: Ryan Whitney goes from one defensive logjam to another in Anaheim. Although the Ducks’ overall D depth is not very good since last season’s departure of some key personnel, they still have the two big guns in Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger. There are tons of rumors out there about either Niedermayer or Pronger getting shipped out at the deadline. Assuming this does happen, Whitney’s situation will be better for this year and next. Whitney’s signed for a few more years so the Ducks do get a good young d-man who will not be leaving any time soon. It is highly likely that Whitney’s arrival means one of Nieds or Pronger will be shipped out by this season’s deadline, so for all you owners out there with either of them, be on the lookout for that.
With Kunitz leaving for Pittsburgh, standout rookie Bobby Ryan will surely see more ice time. Ryan’s been playing a lot with Selanne on the second line lately and has amassed a very nice 39 points in 44 games played. Look for Ryan to get more ice time in general and also some more time on the power play as well. If they decide to move him up to the first line with Getzlaf and Perry for whatever reason, that’s just icing on the cake for the Calder Trophy candidate. Now would be a good time to grab Ryan (Andrew Ebbett gets a value boost, as well) if he’s still available. For those in keeper/dynasty leagues, Bobby Ryan’s stock just keeps going up.
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