STAAL FOR JOHANSSON
The Buffalo Sabres acquired center Eric Staal from the Minnesota Wild for forward Marcus Johansson.
What does it give the Buffalo Sabres
These days, one-for-one trades involving veteran NHLers is rare. In this one, Buffalo gets a little older with Staal--but also a little better. He provides more goal-scoring ability, more size and more leadership to the rebuilding Sabres. Staal should help captain Jack Eichel quite a bit, and should be a positive role model for young forwards such as Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt.
What does it give the Minnesota Wild
For the Wild, Johansson is six years younger than Staal, but also $1 million more expensive. The veteran Swede can play both center and wing, so he provides Minnesota coach Dean Evason more lineup options. Unless the Wild revamp the center situation completely this off-season, Johansson will probably be needed down the middle. This move suggests there is more to come for the Wild.
Fantasy impact
Both Staal and Johansson could get a short-term boost with this deal--especially since both players can become unrestricted free agents after 2020-21. So, both players are a bit more attractive in fantasy drafts than they were before the trade. That said, neither Staal nor Johansson should be picked too early in most fantasy formats.
