Fantasy Hockey Trade Breakdowns: John Gibson, Connor Clifton and More

We're right smack dab in the middle of the free agent frenzy, and it's showing with the amount of action that has transpired over the last week. 

We are cleaning up all of the trades that have happened in the next couple articles, so strap in, because we've got a lot of ground to cover trade wise. Some of these mix in with some draft position movements, and others for some signings. 

We'll cross those roads when we get there, so let's get into it!

Explore the best in-season tool to manage lineup/start decisions including waiver pickups, projections, trade suggestions, trade value charts, rest of season rankings, power rankings, and tons more with Fantasy Assistant.

Senators and Kings Trade

To the Ottawa Senators: Jordan Spence

To the Los Angeles Kings: Third-round draft pick (2025), sixth-round draft pick (2026)

Spence has some offensive upside, which will yet to be seen if this can be a good fit on the Senators' blueline. They already have Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot, who both lean on offense more than defense.

A notable upside, beyond Spence's dishing ability, is that he is a right-handed defenseman. Arguably the most in-demand position in the NHL, a third and a sixth is a fair price to pay for a young, affordable, NHL ready blueliner who has just put up a 30 point-ish season.

Spence had four goals, 24 assists, and five powerplay points as a defenseman in 79 games played. He also had 86 shots on goal, 80 hits, and 77 blocked shots. Also of note, his +/- last season was +24!

Red Wings and Ducks Trade

To the Detroit Red Wings: John Gibson

To the Anaheim Ducks: Petr Mrazek, second-round draft pick (2027), fourth-round draft pick (2026)

Finally! Gibson has been on the tracking block for what seems like forever. I mean that literally, because trade rumors have been surrounding the Ducks netminder for at least the last three years.

In a goalie for goalie move, with the Red Wings sweetening the pot with second- and third-round draft picks, it makes sense based on last year, and the future for both teams.

Lukas Dostal stole the net due to injuries from Gibson, and the Ducks look for him to be their new starter, with Mrazek to come in and likely back him up.

The Red Wings, on the other hand, are looking for a starter and will bank on Gibson being healthy and coming in to either share the crease and gradually take over from Cam Talbot, who has one year left on his contract, or have Talbot back Gibson up and be a mentor and try to steady their blue paint with a solid succession plan in place.

Gibson had 11 wins in 28 starts as a goaltender with a .912 save percentage, 2.77 goals against average, and zero shutouts. Keep in mind, he missed significant time due to injury.

Mrazek, on the other hand, had 12 wins in 38 starts as a goaltender with a .891 save percentage, 3.35 goals against average, and one shutout.

Capitals and Wild Trade

To the Washington Capitals: Declan Chisholm, 180th overall draft pick (2025)

To the Minnesota Wild: Chase Priskie, 123rd overall draft pick (2025)

Mostly, this was a move up the draft trade, however I thought I would mention this one as Chisholm is a pseudo serviceable defenseman in this deal. He will likely see a full season in the NHL this upcoming season.

Chisholm had two goals, 10 assists, and two powerplay points as a defenseman in 66 games played. He also had 69 shots on goal, 33 hits, and 69 blocked shots.

In comparison, Priskie has only played four NHL games, and this was back in 2022, so this right-handed defenseman is likely an AHL mainstay as he is already 29 years old.

Penguins and Sabres Trade

To the Pittsburgh Penguins: Connor Clifton, 39th overall draft pick (2025)

To the Buffalo Sabres: Conor Timmins, Isaac Belliveau

Here is an old fashioned hockey trade of every aspect. It's got roster players, a prospect, and a high-ish pick. While it may not be a blockbuster, I like this move.

Typical, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas cannot keep himself from tinkering with small pieces.

The Penguins got a second-round draft pick, which has already been used as it was for this year, but gave up a prospect in the back half of this deal in Belliveau. Belliveau is a 22-year-old defenseman who shoots left and was a fifth-round draft pick by the Penguins in 2021. He's likely to play this season in the AHL while he continues to develop.

With regard to the player for player half of this deal, it couldn't be more different. Clifton is known for his physical style, which is much needed in Pittsburgh with their offense-first puck moving defensive core, while Timmins was more of a fringe/depth defender who struggled to move up the lineup or log big minutes, however his being a right-handed shot may be an asset to him on the Sabres as he looks for a fresh start.

Clifton had one goal, 15 assists, and 45 penalty minutes as a defenseman in 73 games played. He also had 63 shots on goal, 209 hits, and 116 blocked shots.

Timmins had three goals, 12 assists, and 30 penalty minutes as a defenseman in 68 games played. He also had 69 shots on goal, 55 hits, and 90 blocked shots.

Canucks and Blackhawks Trade

To the Vancouver Canucks: Ilya Safonov

To the Chicago Blackhawks: Future considerations

There is no worse feeling than being traded for "future considerations." This is the equivalent of being traded for a bag of pucks, or a washing machine.

Safonov is a forward drafted in the sixth round by Chicago back in 2021, and has played in the KHL ever since. Maybe he will make the jaunt over to North America and suit up for the Canucks? Who knows.

Last year in the KHL, he had seven goals and 15 assists in 51 games, for whatever that is worth.