Here are the fantasy ramifications of the Florida Panthers acquiring W Thomas Vanek from the Detroit Red Wings:
FLA gives up Dylan McIlrath and a third round pick to DET for Thomas Vanek. DET retains 50 per cent of salary.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2017
Vanek is enjoying his most successful season on the offensive end of the ice since his final full year with the Buffalo Sabres in 2011-12. He has 15 goals and 38 points through 48 games, while primarily playing with C Frans Nielsen and Ws Gustav Nyquist and Andreas Athanasiou at 5v5. Both lines had Corsi For ratings above 56 percent. Eleven of his 38 points have come via the power play.
He is registering more than two shots on goal per game and is benefiting from a 15.2 shooting percentage, his highest since 2012-13. He has been shooting from close proximity, averaging a shot distance of just 24.72 feet, which includes 11 rebound chances. Despite Detroit's poor season and overall struggles on offense, Vanek has been a consistent option, going without a point for more than two games just once this year.
Florida is averaging 0.09 more goals per game than Detroit for the season, though the Red Wings have averaged more scoring chances and expected goals per 60 minutes than the Panthers since Feb. 1. Florida ranks 25th in team power-play percentage while Detroit ranks last at just 13.1 percent.
(Photo courtesy Action Images)
Per Daily Faceoff, the Panthers' top two lines have been lining up as such (Corsi For ratings are courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):
| LW | C | RW | CF% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Huberdeau | Aleksander Barkov | Jaromir Jagr | 54.47 |
| Jussi Jokinen | Vincent Trocheck | Reilly Smith | 54.53 |
Due to the strong play of both trios, it's likely Vanek will be relegated to the third line with LW Jonathan Marchessault and C Nick Bjugstad at 5v5. His power-play time is likely to come with Trocheck and Smith, with Jokinen and D Aaron Ekblad playing the points on the second unit. Vanek is unlikely to see a significant increase in his average time on ice of 14:37, making him an option in only deep season-long leagues.
An improved opportunity on the power play and more consistent linemates at 5v5 will bolster his daily fantasy outlook.
(All statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey)
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