Trades galores during the time leading up to the 2014 NHL Entry Draft with plenty of fantasy implications, so let's Vancouver traded away arguably the most overhyped fantasy d-man in Jason Garrison as part of a package deal to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the 2014 50th overall pick. All in all, great pickup for the Bolts' but the man with the big shot should not be expected to be a huge fantasy upgrade over Matt Carle and obviously not on the same level as rising star Victor Hedman. He matched a career high of 33 points last season, so we see him again in the 30-35 pt. range provided he stays healthy."Heart and Soul" guy Ryan Kesler has many intangibles to his game, but the oft-injured center has plenty of offensive punch. His trade to Anaheim fetched Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa, 24th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, and a 3rd round selection for the Vancouver Canucks. Finally, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry will have another scoring trio that can take some offensive pressure off them, as Kesler should be the second-line center. Expect him to possibly replace Bonino on the top power-play unit, further enhancing his fantasy value. Only three full seasons removed from back-to-back 70+ point campaigns and 40 goals in 10-11', Kesler should be viewed as a solid fantasy rebound candidate in 14-15'. Recent injury woes could keep him from being drafted too high, which could work in your favor if he is still laying around in the middle rounds of your drafts.Big trade out of Pittsburgh, as new GM Jim Rutherford moved former 40-goal scorer James Neal to Nashville for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling. From a fantasy perspective, Neal takes a huge hit in fantasy value as he just wnt from playing with either Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby to either Colin Wilson or Mike Fisher. Geez! Not known for creating his own offense, Neal will have a tough time getting back to point-per-game scoring status. On the other hand, Hornqvist has done a nice job scoring for the Preds despite the lack of high-end talent around him, recording goal totals of 30 and 27 over the last three seasons. He should be more consistent playing with elite forwards in Pittsburgh, so 30-35 goals should be a lock with 40-goal upside if he can stay in the top six. Intriguing fantasy upside with Hornqvist, so keep him on your radar.As expected, defenseman Aaron Ekblad was drafted first by the Florida Panthers making him the first d-man taken with the first overall pick since Erik Johnson ...

PrimePucks™ extends their wishes defensemen Matt Carle and Toni Lydman for a very happy birthday! There has been quite a run on defensemen birthdays with 3 yesterday and 2 today. ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR SOME HOCKEY? With the weather turning a bit crisper lately and with Mallomars being stocked on the supermarkets shelves here in NYC, the mind turns to hockey, and especially fantasy hockey. But something happened that has an all too familiar smell to it. An NHL lockout! read more

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