OIL LAND STAY-AT-HOME D FISTRIC
The Edmonton Oilers acquired defenseman Mark Fistric from the Dallas Stars for a third-round draft pick in 2013.
What does it give the Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are loaded with offensive talent, including on the blueline (with {P Justin Schultz}, {P Ryan Whitney} and {P Jeff Petry}) but they need more grit and stay-at-home dependability. Enter Fistric, a big, strong stay-at-home type who posted a plus-27 rating for Dallas in 2009-10. He won't score much but he doesn't need to with Edmonton, which can insert him in the lineup, pair him with one of their better offensive rearguards and let him set an example by blocking shots and doling out hits. He does come with some durability concerns, but also with an affordable contract. He can become a free agent after this season.
What does it give the Dallas Stars
Dallas was already in need of defensemen, so that should get magnified now with the departure of Fistric, who wasn't really the type of defenseman the organization wanted. Veteran {P Aaron Rome} was acquired this past summer, and he could benefit from this deal. The Stars' also want to get a longer look at some of their younger blueline prospects ({P Brenden Dillon}, {P Jordie Benn}, {P Jamie Oleksiak}, {P Patrik Nemeth}, etc.). Moving Fistric, however, was mostly about getting good value in the form of a third-round draft pick from the young Oilers.
Fantasy impact
Fistric's departure from Big D likely opens up more ice time for someone like Rome, Dillon or Benn, and eventually Oleksiak and Nemeth. Meanwhile, Fistric's arrival on the Oilers probably makes it harder for youngster {P Colten Teubert} to be an Edmonton regular soon. Fistric himself isn't much of a fantasy factor, unless your league puts a premium on hits and blocked shots.
