FANTASY RANKINGS:
Top 200
IMPACT OF TARASENKO TRADE ON RANGERS
The New York Rangers acquired right wing Vladimir Tarasenko on Thursday, significantly boosting his fantasy value for the rest of the season. The trade improves the outlook of New York's top-six forward group and power play and specifically gives elite left wing Artemi Panarin a more potent linemate at even strength.
Tarasenko, who has had six seasons with at least 33 goals in the NHL, is a potential unrestricted free agent after the season and should be considered a top 75 overall fantasy player again. The 31-year-old started on a potent top line with Panarin and center Mika Zibanejad in his Rangers debut and scored on his first shot in a 6-3 win against the Seattle Kraken on Friday. New York's power play, which is ranked 17th in the NHL (22.2 percent), improves with the addition of Tarasenko, who is easing his way in on the second unit. The first power-play unit will start with forwards Panarin, Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Filip Chytil and defenseman Adam Fox, but Tarasenko should eventually see time on PP1.
RELATED: [Tarasenko traded to Rangers by Blues | Trade Tracker]
After having an NHL career-high 82 points (34 goals, 48 assists) in 75 games last season, Tarasenko was limited to 38 of the Blues' 51 games because of a hand injury sustained Dec. 31. He has 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) this season, and one in five games since returning Jan. 24.
It's worth noting the 31-year-old has the second-lowest shooting percentage (10.5) of his NHL career; he shot 6.2 percent in 2020-21 before bouncing back the following year (14.8 last season), indicating he could reach or exceed his career rate (12.7 percent) down the stretch.
Panarin, who's 10th in the NHL in points over the past two seasons combined (150 in 127 games), is tied with Zibanejad for the Rangers' points lead (54 in 52 games) this season. With two elite lines, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner in goalie Igor Shesterkin and one of the strongest third units in the NHL, the Rangers have more Stanley Cup futures appeal considering Tarasenko won the championship with the Blues in 2019 and New York reached the Eastern Conference Final last postseason.
Another potential beneficiary of the Tarasenko trade could be center Vincent Trocheck, who will likely remain their No. 2 option at the position and could now bring exposure to Tarasenko, in addition to Panarin. Trocheck has fantasy bounce-back potential for the rest of the season considering he had an NHL career-high 75 points with the Florida Panthers in 2017-18. He had a goal and an assist Friday. If Tarasenko sticks on the top line with Panarin and Zibanejad, each linemate could have a higher ceiling and Kreider could lose some fantasy value.
Chytil has had a breakout season with 19 goals, including 11 in 15 games (fourth in NHL) since Jan. 1, playing mostly the third line with wings Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko and should remain fantasy-relevant.
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