Weekend Outlook: The Trade Deadline

Happy Friday everyone and happy deadline day! With the deadline now past, I still think we see a couple minor moves come through but for the most part I feel like deadline day was more Tuesday-Thursday of this week. The goaltending landscape was shaken up a bit and could have fantasy implications as we move closer to the end of the NHL regular season and fantasy playoffs.

Joonas Korpisalo to Los Angeles

This was one of the more polarizing trades that took place over the week, not only because of the clubs involved but what transpired following the trade. The Los Angeles Kings traded a first round pick and goaltender Jonathan Quick (who will get to here momentarily) for Joonas Korpisalo and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. That’s the same Jonathan Quick that possibly had the best playoff run in the 2012 Cup Finals and wasn’t too keen on being moved.

Where do we start with this one? First, I think we have to go with the fantasy impact and for Los Angeles that means a split net between Pheonix Copley and Korpisalo. I’ve been on the Korpisalo train here for a couple of weeks now and despite playing for a club that’s at the very bottom of the barrel in the standings, has been decent this season. He has a .911 save percentage, 5.8 goals saved above average, and a 7.59 high danger goals saved above average at even strength, this all while playing on a club that allows the third-highest shots per game. Copley on the other hand has struggled lately with an .864 save percentage over the past week but as a popular fantasy add I think those rostering him may have to be ready for a split net.

I have a hard time believing here that the Kings would give up a first rounder with Gavrikov being the center of the trade, this move was also made to help shore up their goaltending, which Korpisalo will bring them. I don’t think this will be a case where Korpisalo will be given the keys to the starter’s net right away, as I can see both him and Copley sharing time with ultimately one goaltender being named the everyday starter closer to playoffs. Might have been an unpopular move but general manager Rob Blake made the team better today than it was yesterday.

Jonathan Quick to Columbus…then Vegas

What was everyone’s favorite moment from the Quick era in Columbus? Let’s talk about the goaltender going the other way in the Korpisalo trade and just off name recognition I think we all know who Jonathan Quick is along with his resume.

When the trade happened, I knew Quick would-be a pro and report to Columbus, but I also thought that this would not be the final stop on this merry-go-round so to speak. Quick was traded to Vegas for goaltender Michael Hutchinson and a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft. Quick hasn’t been great this season with a 11-13-4 record, 3.50 goals against average, and a .876 save percentage but I still think there’s something left in the tank for the 37-year-old goaltender.

With Vegas presumable starter Logan Thompson still on IR, I think there’s a roadmap to where Quick see’s time in the Vegas net behind Adin Hill, but I wouldn’t be rushing out to add him any time soon. Vegas retroacted Thompson’s IR date so really anytime he can return to the ice the Knights will make it happen with the cap and roster and for the time being, I think Quick is mainly there as a backup.

Michael Hutchinson to Columbus

Going the other way in the Jonathan Quick trade was 33-year-old Maple Leaf great Michael Hutchinson. Hand up, I forgot who this was when I saw the name, but I think he may start a game or two here for the Jackets to close out the season. With Korpisalo gone the Blue Jackets goaltending depth is now left with Elvis Merzlikins who by all advanced numbers is one of the worst goaltenders we’ve seen this season, and Daniil Tarasov who has shown potential at times, but who won’t see much action if Columbus decides for whatever reason to give more starts to Merzlikins. Well, we all know the reason why. Remember players don’t tank, front offices do.

Anton Khudobin to Chicago

The Hawks traded Max Domi for a draft pick and Anton Khudobin, with Khudobin involved in the trade to make the money work in order for the deal to go through. You can’t call your broker (the Arizona Coyotes) all the time. I know this is not anywhere close to a headline move or someone that you need to go out and make a roster claim on, but this is the Chicago Blackhawks. Khudobin will get starts on this club, trust me. This is a “no” for fantasy but a “maybe” for the eventual day where you need a cheap goaltender and Khudobin is the confirmed starter for Chicago.

For continued fantasy news and notes throughout the season, follow me on Twitter @ndySanz