It's the time of year in dynasty pools when many teams are throwing in the towel and grabbing one or two good players in exchange for a slew of very good players who are expensive or on the final year of their contract. Don't be afraid – if you are in it – to deal a very good keeper, as there are plenty of players to keep next season and to fill out your roster with a star or two.
Best of luck with your trades this week.
TRADE FOR
Jonathan Quick, G, Rangers (17 percent rostered)
Quick is available on waivers in most pools, and with Igor Shesterkin likely out of action for a while with a lower-body injury, Quick takes over the top job with the Rangers. Quick has been a solid netminder for the Rangers, going 18-6-2 with a 2.62 GAA and a .911 save percentage in his first season with New York, back in 2022-23. He slumped a bit last season (as did the Rangers) posting an 11-7-2 mark with three shutouts, a 3.17 GAA and an .893 save percentage, but he has bounced back this season, despite his 3-6-2 record, as the veteran netminder has a 2.23 GAA and a .919 save percentage across 11 games this season.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Quick and an 11th-round pick for an eighth-round pick. (Quick is worth a lot more than moving him for a little better draft pick in the middle rounds.)
Aaron Ekblad, D, Panthers (61 percent rostered)
Ekblad gets a big boost as well, as he takes over quarterbacking the first power play from the ailing Seth Jones (upper body). Ekblad's has six goals and 18 assists in 40 games this season, including five goals and eight assists with the man advantage. Ekblad will also get help from Matthew Tkachuk, who is close to returning to action following offseason groin surgery.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Ekblad and Jack Hughes for Roman Josi, Carter Verhaeghe and Darren Raddysh. (While Ekblad is the secondary player to Hughes in this trade, Ekblad has big upside with Jones out of action.)
Thomas Harley, D, Stars (79 percent rostered)
Harley missed 12 games earlier in the season with a lower-body injury, and while he has two goals and 15 points in 31 games, he is a far cry from from his previous two seasons when he had 47 and 50 points, respectively, including 15 and 16 goals. Harley has plenty of offensive firepower and was named to Canada's Olympic team. Harley should have a big second-half of the season and is worth taking now, as his fantasy value is at its lowest point of 2025-26.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Harley for Shea Theodore. (Theodore is currently out of action with an upper-body injury, and while he could return before the Olympic break, Harley is the better choice at this time.)
TRADE AWAY
Brady Tkachuk, LW, Senators (99 percent rostered)
Tkachuk announced this week that he won't fight again this season due to his broken thumb and subsequent surgery in October. The thumb injury also will affect his shot and that will lower his fantasy value, especially in pools that have penalty minutes as a category. Tkachuk has 20 points in 21 games, including six goals and five assists in his last 11 games, but he will not put up superstar numbers, and his inclusion on the American Olympic side could cause him to slump upon his return from Italy.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Tkachuk for Martin Necas. (Necas is having a fabulous season, playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon.)
Yaroslav Askarov, G, Sharks (58 percent rostered)
I wouldn't trade Askarov in a dynasty league, but I sure would deal him in a one-year pool. Askarov was outstanding in November, going 8-2-0 with a 1.88 GAA and a .944 save percentage. The problem is that the NHL season isn't just one month long and he has allowed at least three goals in his 11 appearances since Dec. 1. His 6-4-0 record since his outstanding month of November is good, but his 4.36 GAA and .869 save percentage, leaves a lot to be desired.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Askarov for Jake Oettinger. (I love Askarov, especially his future, but if you are able to get Oettinger, arguably one of the top-five goaltenders in the NHL, do it.)
Tage Thompson, LW, Sabres (98 percent rostered)
Thompson has been hot of late, as have the Sabres. Buffalo has won 11 of their last 12 games with Thompson leading the way with eight goals and 15 points. He has 38 points, including 21 goals across 41 appearances this season, which has helped him in getting named to the US squad at the Olympics. I foresee the Sabres going into a slump shortly, as no team (with the exception of Colorado this season) can stay as hot as they have been. Thompson should also slump, which is a good reason to get as much as you can at this time in a trade while his value is at its apex.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Thompson and Sam Bennett for Kirill Kaprizov. (Kaprizov is one of the top-five forwards in fantasy hockey, and, while Thompson is good, Bennett is a marginal fantasy player in most pools and will lose some value upon the return of Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida lineup.)
