Fantasy Impact: The Dallas Stars have traded forward Steve Ott and defenseman Adam Pardy to the Buffalo Sabres for center Derek Roy.

The Stars get: their No.2 center with an upside that not only replaces Mike Ribeiro's - but improves on it. Roy is coming off the worst season of his career (44 points). Prior to that he had 35 points in 35 games, and before that he posted 69, 70 and 81 points respectively. The 29-year-old is on the small side, but is capable of a point per game and thrives against adversity.

The Sabres get: some much needed grit from the feisty Ott and some more size in the 6-4 rearguard Pardy. Ott can play either of the second or third lines. He can produce, or he can raise havok. Often both. Pardy is more of a depth defenseman, but a great asset to have as a No.6 or No.7 D.

Fantasy Players Impacted: As expected, the Stars get their No.2 center, which means the unproven Cody Eakin will slide back to the third line where he best fits as a sophomore (just five games shy of rookie status). Trading away Ott, moves Michael Ryder back up to the second line, which means he'll be tried with Roy - bump his projection back up (after Ray Whitney's signing knocked it down). Moving Pardy clears some more room for the likes of Philip Larsen and Brendan Dillon, both of whom should be on your fantasy radar.

In Buffalo, there was a logjam at center and this effectively clears it. Speaking of clearing room, Steve Ott should clear plenty for the smaller players such as Tyler Ennis and Nate Gerbe. Cody Hodgson will get a shot as a second-line center now, while Ennis is the No.1 guy.

Is Mikhail Grigorenko ready? This move certainly gives him a chance of making this team, and battling with Hodgson over second/third line supremacy.

I don't think adding Ott will hurt Marcus Foligno's chances. I think Foligno is on the team for good, barring a monumental collapse. But it does hurt Luke Adam's chances - but as I noted in the Fantasy Prospects Report, he should be in the AHL for another year anyway.

Fantasy players this helps, in order:

1. Roy

2. Ennis

3. Hodgson

4. Grigorenko

5. Ryder

6. Dillon

7. Larsen

8. Ott

Fantasy players this hurts, in order:

1. Adam

2. Eakin

Comments (5)

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Dobber said:

	... LOL yeah a guy on Twitter said the same thing. But if the 12 biggest deals each year are called "Blockbusters" then this would make the cut. If the 5 biggest deals each year are called "Blockbusters" then this would not make the cut. So are you going to call me out over the difference?
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July 02, 2012
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BDog said:

	... I think this deal is pretty significant and worthy of its title.
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July 02, 2012
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John H. said:

	Blockbuster? Not even Yahoo, infamous for exaggerated headlines, put that label on this trade.
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July 02, 2012
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DuklaNation said:

	... BUF have 8 dmen now, something else has to give here, doesnt include McNabb. I think we could see another deal.
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July 02, 2012
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STONE. said:

	Ray Whitney Whitney gets boost too?
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July 02, 2012
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