FLAMES LAND LW PROSPECT SHINKARUK
The Calgary Flames acquired winger Hunter Shinkaruk from the Vancouver Canucks for center Markus Granlund.
What does it give the Calgary Flames
The Flames recently decided to move top rookie Sam Bennett back to his original center position, which pushed Granlund out of the lineup once more. So, the club decided to move the Finnish center in exchange for a natural scoring winger in Shinkaruk. The 21-year old is a Calgary native who should be elated at the prospect of playing for his hometown team (one day). For now, he'll remain in the AHL but look for Shinkaruk to be recalled down the stretch.
What does it give the Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks have traded with the Flames in the recent past, landing scoring winger Sven Baertschi in exchange for a second-round draft pick one year ago. That deal worked out for Vancouver, so perhaps going to the well one more time with provide similar results. Granlund doesn't have Shinkaruk's scoring upside but he is a solid two-way performer who might fit in better in Vancouver than he did in Calgary. He should play a bottom-six forward role on the Canucks.
Fantasy impact
Shinkaruk's fantasy value remains high after this deal, though it may be only in 2016-17 that owners will start to reap the benefits. He is a strong keeper league option. As for Granlund, he was a fantasy dark horse before the trade and likely remains so in Vancouver. He has plenty of talent but needs to see enough ice time to produce decent totals.
