NHL Trades Fantasy Hockey Breakdowns: Ryan Reaves, Arturs Silovs and More; Plus Nicklas Backstrom News

Hey folks, we're back at it again, this time catching you up on all of the trades ahead of next season. Again, we've got about seven weeks until the preseason starts, so keep tuning into FantasySP to ensure you are up to date with all the news around the NHL, and get yourself ready and educated for your next fantasy season. 

Let's dive right in!

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Trade Breakdowns

Penguins and Stars Trade

To the Pittsburgh Penguins: Matt Dumba, second-round draft pick (2028)

To the Dallas Stars: Vladislav Kolyachonok

Another new home for Dumba, who will be playing for his fifth NHL team since 2023. A good return to take him, and going the other way is Kolyachonok who found himself on waivers last season. He will likely spend most, if not all, of his time in the AHL unless the Stars run into forward depth issues.

One last note is Dumba is entering the last year of his contract, so to take him on and get a second-round draft pick, albeit not relevant for another few years, is a great move by Penguins' general manager Kyle Dubas.

Dumba had one goal, nine assists, and 60 penalty minutes in 63 games as a defenseman. He also had 57 shots on goal, 70 hits, and 60 blocked shots.

Kolyahonok had two goals, five assists, and 10 penalty minutes in 35 games as a defenseman. He also had 20 shots on goal, 26 hits, and 31 blocked shots.

Maple Leafs and Sharks Trade

To the Toronto Maple Leafs: Henry Thrun

To the San Jose Sharks: Ryan Reaves

Toronto is getting what will most likely be a depth defenseman for the league's toughest enforcer. A bit of a head scratcher here on the return to Toronto. Thurn played a majority of the season for the Sharks, but will be unable to crack the NHL on his new team - unfortunate for the defenseman in this trade.

Reavo spent a majority of last season with the Maple Leafs in the press box watching the games. More of a locker room guy, who was called to ignite the spark from time to time with his gloves off, it was not likely that the aging veteran would match his 35 games again this season. 

The winner of this trade is honestly Sharks' superstar Macklin Celebrini, who will gain some protection on the ice and give him some room to do what he does best, create offense. Reavo is likely to play most of the season in a bottom six role with the Sharks, and smash anyone who thinks they can still take a run at the young franchise player.

Thurn had two goals, 10 assists, and 30 penalty minutes in 60 games as a defenseman. He also had 52 shots on goal, 43 hits, and 66 blocked shots.

Reavo had two assists, seven fights, and 28 penalty minutes in 35 games as a forward. He also had 14 shots on goal, 103 hits, and eight blocked shots.

Canucks and Penguins Trade

To the Vancouver Canucks: Chase Stillman, fourth-round draft pick (2027)

To the Pittsburgh Penguins: Arturs Silovs

Tristan Jarry is about as unpredictable as the weather in Saskatchewan. Silovs may have been relinquished to the third string goaltender in Vancouver, but he has a legitimate shot to outright steal the number one spot from Jarry. The defense is not great in Pittsburgh, though, so keep that in mind.

That said, Silovs is worth an early-season pickup if you have the patience to wait out Jarry's confidence and ability to slide, giving Silovs an opportunity to not just open the door, but outright kick it down and solidify himself as a starter. He is not yet proven, but has had glimmers of brilliance. To play devil's advocate, he has also shown glimmers of swiss cheese, too. Buyer beware, but the upside to the gamble is quite high.

Stillman is a forward and was a first-round draft pick in 2021. He has yet to crack the NHL and had only 12 points last year in the AHL.

Silovs had only two wins in nine games as a goaltender. He also had a .861 save percentage, 3.65 goals against average, and zero shutouts.

Maple Leafs and Canucks Trade

To the Toronto Maple Leafs: Dakota Joshua

To the Vancouver Canucks: Fourth-round draft pick (2028)

Joshua is an up-and-down depth forward. He could play up and down the lineup, but is more likely to play a middle or bottom six role with little to no powerplay time. Toronto is filling spots with bodies to see what sticks with this one. If he works out, great! If he doesn't, it's a very low-risk deal.

Joshua's value will depend on his deployment with the Maple Leafs, his production, and how long he can stay healthy and/or in the lineup. He is just as likely to be a middle six guy as he is a health scratch. I would stay away from this player until we know how the Maple Leafs will use him. 

Joshua had seven goals, seven assists, and two powerplay points in 57 games as a forward. He also had 52 shots on goal, 193 hits, and 29 blocked shots.

Avalanche and Sharks Trade

To the Colorado Avalanche: Danil Gushchin

To the San Jose Sharks: Oskar Olausson

This was one of those change of scenery type deals, giving both players a fresh start. Both players are likely to start in the AHL and will serve as depth forward call-ups if needed throughout the season. They are both young, but have not progressed enough to challenge for a full-time bottom six role yet.

Gushchin had one assist and six penalty minutes in 12 games as a forward. He also had 16 shots on goal, six hits, and six blocked shots.

Olausson only played two games as a forward, and recorded three shots on goal, one hit, and two blocked shots.

Nicklas Backstrom News

Backstrom missed all of last year's season and hasn't played since 2023 after undergoing hip surgery. The 37-year-old has played his entire career in the Washington Capitals' organization, and sadly will not be returning to the Caps or the NHL. He has decided to pursue the end of his career back home, in Sweden. 

You can safely remove him from your dynasty roster, and take him off of your depth draft list in hopes of an NHL return.

Backstrom had an impressive 271 goals, 762 assists for 1,033 points in 1,105 games played as a forward. Of those assists, 279 helped Alex Ovechkin surpass the goal-scoring record. What a legend. 

Enjoy going back home to Sweden, Nicklas!