PREDS LAND GOALTENDER DUBNYK
The Nashville Predators acquired goaltender Devan Dubnyk from the Edmonton Oilers for forward Matt Hendricks.
What does it give the Nashville Predators
With this trade, the Predators acquire a short-term fix for their shaky goaltending situation with starter {P Pekka Rinne} still recovering from hip surgery, and also get out from under Hendricks' long-term contract. The Oilers also agreed to pay half of Dubnyk's salary, so this deal truly has no risk for Nashville. Dubnyk should take over for {P Carter Hutton} and {P Marek Mazanec} as the No. 1 goalie until Rinne returns to action. Dubnyk is a potential UFA on July 1, so he has incentive to play well in his brief audition as a Predator.
What does it give the Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers land a solid fourth liner in Hendricks, though an expensive one ($1.85 million through 2016-17). They are also willing to pay half of Dubnyk's salary in this trade, so expect something else to happen soon in Edmonton. The deal leaves the Oil with the inconsistent {P Ilya Bryzgalov} as the starter, with {P Richard Bachman} the likely new backup. This situation may not last very long, as Edmonton is expected to swing another trade for a more proven No. 1 goaltender relatively soon. Hendricks will help as a leader for the Oil.
Fantasy impact
Dubnyk's fantasy value should be on the rise in the short term, as he's likely to see plenty of starts in Nashville in the coming weeks. However, it will basically disappear once Rinne returns from injury. Hendricks doesn't have much fantasy value to begin with, aside from the ability to rack up decent penalty-minute totals.
