Fantasy Hockey Injury and Trade Updates: Tristan Jarry, Phillip Danault, Mason Marchment and More
Shelmo breaks down two notable injuries and two impactful trades, including a key Hurricanes scorer, a risky Oilers goaltending situation, and how recent moves involving shift fantasy value.
Hey folks. Today, we're digging into a hybrid update that blends two impactful injuries with a pair of notable trades, all of which carry real fantasy implications as we move deeper into the season.
A key scorer in Carolina hitting the shelf creates short-term uncertainty for one of the league's most structured offenses, while Edmonton's latest crease concern raises fresh questions about the risk they took by trading for an injury-prone goaltender.
On the trade front, Columbus adds a physical scoring forward who could see a change in fantasy value, and Montreal brings back a familiar face to help stabilize its lineup and depth down the middle. There's a lot to unpack here, especially for managers weighing patience versus action in the standings. Let's dive right into these injury and trade updates from around the league.
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Injury Updates
Seth Jarvis - Carolina Hurricanes
Jarvis suffered an apparent upper-body injury during Friday's game against the Panthers, an injury Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour described as “not good.” The forward was injured in overtime after crashing hard into the post after being pursued by Panthers' Evan Rodrigues. This immediately raises concern about a potential extended absence.
Jarvis has been an absolute offensive weapon for the Hurricanes this season, benefiting from elite deployment at both even strength and on the powerplay. His ability to drive play, finish scoring chances, and fit seamlessly into Carolina's structured system will be difficult to replace in the short term.
At this stage, the team has not announced an official timeline for his return. A January 2026 return remains a possibility, but fantasy managers should prepare for Jarvis to miss meaningful time and adjust their lineups accordingly.
Jarvis has 19 goals, 10 assists, and three powerplay points in 34 games played as a forward. He also has 110 shots on goal, 43 hits, and 13 blocked shots.
Tristan Jarry - Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers acquired Jarry with the intention of upgrading their goaltending situation and moving on from Stuart Skinner, a decision that immediately raised eyebrows around the league. While Jarry is a clear upgrade in terms of pedigree and overall ability, his strong play this season came with a well-known caveat; durability.
Jarry has long been considered one of the most injury-prone goaltenders in the league, and that concern has surfaced quickly in Edmonton. After just three games with the Oilers, Jarry now finds himself on injured reserve, a worst-case scenario for a team that desperately needed stability in the crease.
Goaltending has been Edmonton's Achilles' heel in recent seasons, and this setback puts them right back into a familiar and uncomfortable position.
From a fantasy standpoint, this injury has ripple effects beyond the crease. An unsettled goaltending situation often leads to more conservative defensive play, which can suppress offensive activation from the blue line. At the same time, inconsistent netminding can hurt +/- across the board, particularly for Oilers defensemen who log heavy minutes against top competition.
Momentum also matters in fantasy, and losing a newly acquired starter so quickly can disrupt confidence and structure, leading to volatility in week-to-week outcomes. Until Jarry returns, fantasy managers should expect uneven results from Edmonton's defensive core and proceed with caution in formats that heavily weigh plus-minus and team-dependent categories.
Jarry has 12 wins in 16 games started as a goaltender. He also has a .906 save percentage, 2.73 goals against average, and one shutout.
Canadiens and Kings Trade
To the Montreal Canadiens: Phillip Danault
To the Los Angeles Kings: Second-round draft pick (2026)
Canadiens Trade Impact
Danault is heading back to Montreal, where he previously played from the 2015 - 16 season through 2021, with the Canadiens acquiring the veteran center in exchange for a second-round draft pick. It's a familiar reunion for both sides, and one that fills a clear need for Montreal.
The Canadiens have been in the market for a dependable center all season, as their depth down the middle has lacked consistency and reliability. In this case, sometimes it's better to go with the devil you know rather than the devil you don't. Danault is already familiar with the organization, the market, and the expectations, allowing him to step in without a lengthy adjustment period.
From a fantasy perspective, Danault remains a streamer at best in most formats. His value doesn't come from point production, but rather from the stability he brings to the lineup. Strong faceoff results, defensive awareness, and matchup reliability can quietly improve the overall performance of the team, benefiting wingers and defensemen who play behind him. His presence adds indirect fantasy value rather than making him a must-roster option himself.
For the Kings, landing a second-round pick in return is excellent value. As Los Angeles continues to trend upward in terms of compete level and organizational depth, this move helps bolster their future assets without significantly impacting their current trajectory.
Danault has zero goals, five assists, and six penalty minutes in 30 games played as a forward. He also has 42 shots on goal, 22 hits, and 11 blocked shots.
Kraken and Blue Jackets Trade
To the Seattle Kraken: Fourth-round pick draft (2026), second-round pick draft (2027)
To the Columbus Blue Jackets: Mason Marchment
Blue Jackets Trade Impact
Marchment moves from one struggling team to another, but the context around this trade matters. The Kraken have been spiraling downward and appear to be shifting toward selling off assets, while the Blue Jackets are clearly trying to climb the competitive ladder and need all the help they can get.
For Columbus, this is a low-risk addition that brings size, edge, and secondary scoring to a lineup searching for consistency. Marchment is expected to slot into a middle-six role and see some powerplay time, which gives him an opportunity for a fresh start in a new environment.
From a fantasy standpoint, Marchment remains a streamer in most formats, but the change in deployment could lead to a modest uptick in production. He's worth monitoring in deeper leagues, particularly if he sticks in a scoring role and maintains powerplay usage.
Seattle did well on the return, adding future value as they head into the Christmas break and position themselves for what looks like a longer-term retool. In a season where the Kraken are trending in the wrong direction, this move reflects a shift in focus toward future assets rather than short-term results.
Marchment has four goals, nine assists, and three powerplay points in 29 games played as a forward. He also has 46 shots on goal, 38 hits, and 10 blocked shots.