Fantasy spin on 2025 NHL Trade Deadline with EDGE stats
Trades should boost Rantanen, Nelson; advanced stats insights on biggest moves
Rantanen to Stars
The Dallas Stars acquired wing Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday and then signed him to an eight-year contract, giving him a chance to rejoin the top 10 overall fantasy rankings.
Rantanen, who’s 28 years old and was traded to the Hurricanes from the Colorado Avalanche earlier in the season, ranks fourth in the entire NHL in points over the past five seasons combined (437 in 351 games). But while Rantanen was among the League’s most productive players playing frequently alongside elite skaters Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in Colorado, he was held to six points (two goals, four assists) in 13 games with Carolina.
Rantanen, who won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022, ranks fourth among active players in career playoff points per game (1.25) behind Edmonton Oilers forwards Connor McDavid (1.58), Leon Draisaitl (1.46) and his former teammate MacKinnon (1.30). Rantanen is expected to play on the top line with forwards Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz and also on the first power play for Dallas, which ranks fourth in goals per game (3.40) this season.
EDGE stats highlights: Rantanen is among the forward leaders in midrange shots on goal (70; 97th percentile), midrange goals (10; 95th percentile), total skating distance (199.10 miles; 96th percentile), top shot speed (92.09 mph; 89th percentile) and offensive zone time percentage (47.6; 97th percentile).
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Marchand to Panthers
The Florida Panthers acquired veteran wing Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins on Friday, a surprising move considering Marchand was the Bruins captain and ranked fourth on their all-time goals list (422) and now goes to their Atlantic Division rival and the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Marchand, who's 37 years old and currently week to week with an upper-body injury, is the only Bruins player ever with 12 straight 20-goal seasons. Marchand joins the Panthers, who will likely be without elite wing Matthew Tkachuk until at least the Stanley Cup Playoffs because of a lower-body injury.
Marchand, who won the Stanley Cup as a rookie with Boston in 2011 and went to the Cup Final twice more (2013, 2019), ranks fourth among active players in career playoff goals (56) behind Alex Ovechkin (72), Sidney Crosby (71) and Evgeni Malkin (67) and ninth among active players in career regular-season goals.
EDGE stats highlights: Marchand is among the forward leaders in high-danger shots on goal (66; 96th percentile), midrange shots on goal (50; 89th percentile) and total skating distance (175.14 miles; 86th percentile).
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Nelson to Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche acquired center Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders late Thursday, making him a must-roster fantasy player (62 percent rostered) in standard leagues for the rest of the season. Nelson, who can become an unrestricted free agent after this season, was tied for the Islanders lead in points (43 in 61 games) and tied for their second-most goals (20; behind Anders Lee's 23).
Nelson will likely be the No. 2 center with the Avalanche and bring exposure to two of the following wings: Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen and/or Jonathan Drouin. Nelson, a three-time 30-goal scorer and nine-time 20-goal scorer, should also see power-play time.
EDGE stats highlights: Nelson is among the forward leaders in 20-plus mph speed bursts (131; 89th percentile), total skating distance (202.72 miles; 97th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (53; 91st percentile), high-danger goals (11; 86th percentile), midrange shots on goal (68; 96th percentile) and midrange goals (eight; 90th percentile).
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Walman to Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers acquired defenseman Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks on Friday, addressing one of their areas of weakness ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Walman, who's 29 years old and can become an unrestricted free agent after next season (2025-26), could lose fantasy value from the move considering he will no longer be his team's No. 1 defenseman and his workload, scoring totals, shots on goal and blocks could decrease in Edmonton playing behind Evan Bouchard. That said, Walman could still remain fantasy relevant sharing even-strength ice time with elite forwards Connor McDavid and/or Leon Draisaitl.
EDGE stats highlights: Walman is among the defenseman leaders in 20-plus mph speed bursts (38; 80th percentile), top shot speed (98.90 mph; 94th percentile), average shot speed (71.91 mph; 83rd percentile), total skating distance on the power play: 19.53 miles (89th percentile), high-danger goals (two; 90th percentile), midrange shots on goal (20; 85th percentile), long-range shots on goal (70; 95th percentile), offensive zone time percentage on the power play (61.4; 88th percentile).
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Cozens to Senators
The Ottawa Senators acquired center Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, giving the No. 7 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft bounce-back appeal. Cozens (25 percent rostered in fantasy) had his best season in 2022-23 with 31 goals and 68 points and will likely slot in on the Senators' second line with wings Drake Batherson and David Perron. Cozens also has provided strong coverage of shots on goal (139) and hits (148) this season.
EDGE stats highlights: Cozens is among the forward leaders in midrange shots on goal (68; 96th percentile), midrange goals (seven; 88th percentile), 20-plus mph speed bursts (105; 82nd percentile) and average shot speed (60.70 mph; 80th percentile).
Norris to Sabres
Buffalo acquired center Josh Norris from Ottawa in the Cozens trade. Norris (31 percent rostered in fantasy) will likely be the Sabres' No. 2 center behind Tage Thompson, see even-strength ice time with wing Alex Tuch and also see power-play time. Norris was tied for second on the Senators in goals (20) behind wing Brady Tkachuk (24) this season and had his best season in 2021-22 (35 goals in 66 games).
EDGE stats highlights: Norris is among the forward leaders in top skating speed (23.76 mph; 98th percentile), 20-plus mph speed bursts (168; 96th percentile), midrange goals (eight; 90th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (44; 83rd percentile) and high-danger goals (10; 83rd percentile).
