Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Dubnyk Dealt to Nashville


On Wednesday, the Edmonton Oilers announced that they had dealt goaltender Devan Dubnyk to the Nashville Predators for forward Matt Hendricks.  It was also announced that the Oilers will retain half of the remaining salary on Dubnyk's current deal, which runs out at the end of this season.

Dubnyk appeared in 32 games this season for the Edmonton Oilers, picking up record of 11-17-2, with 2 shutouts, good enough for 26 points in the pool this season.  As of Wednesday afternoon, that has him ranked 149th in pool scoring.

In return, the Oilers get gritty forward Hendricks, who has appeared in 44 games for Nashville, scoring 2 goals and adding 2 assists, but more importantly, 54 PIM.  Hendricks is not a fantasy player, but it doesn't look like the Oilers were after one here.

ImplicationsThis trade does change the landscape of the Nashville goaltending, as the Predators are now likely thinking forward about life without Pekka Rinne, who still hasn't been dropped by Kristy & Don.  This now calls into the question the value of Marek Mazanec, who was taken by Clayton in the first Waiver Draft and likely gives an upgrade to Dubnyk's value, who belongs to Stacey C..

Between Clayton and Stacey C., there is already a rivalry building, as they are both in the race for the prizes this season and Clayton has already dropped one goalie in the second Waiver Draft this week and wonders what to do with Mazanec.

This trade does seem to be benefit Stacey a lot here, as he may have seen his goalie go to a better team and likely get a load of the minutes there.  Of course, that is just the indication, it will have to work for it to be in his favour in the end.

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