NASHVILLE NETS VETERAN C VERNON FIDDLER
The Nashville Predators acquired center Vernon Fiddler from the New Jersey Devils for a fourth-round draft pick in 2017.
What does it give the Nashville Predators
With Mike Ribeiro recently waived, the Preds had a spot open for a veteran center and Fiddler fills it. While not as offensively talented as Ribeiro, Fiddler brings excellent role-playing ability and locker-room leadership. Expect him to provide fourth-line minutes as well as strong penalty-killing and face-off abilities down the stretch and for the playoff push.
What does it give the New Jersey Devils
The lowly Devils seem focused on the upcoming NHL Draft, and the fourth-round selection they get here for Fiddler gives New Jersey 10 draft picks for 2017. All those potential future rookies will help with the youth movement, while the spot in the lineup left by Fiddler can go to the likes of Jacob Josefson and Sergei Kalinin for the rest of 2016-17.
Fantasy impact
Fiddler is an aging role player, so this swap likely has little to no fantasy impact for either of the Nashville or New Jersey rosters.
Player focus
New Jersey Devils
a fourth-round draft pick in 2017
