5 under-the-radar acquisitions primed to pay dividends for their new teams

Ryan McDonagh, Paul Stastny, and Evander Kane made most of the headlines on trade deadline day, but the following five players could very well fit in admirably with their new teams, making their general managers look like geniuses. For some players, all it takes is a change of scenery.

Michael Grabner, Devils

It's rare that a player with 25 goals on the season flies under the radar after being moved, but Grabner found a way. Maybe it's because he got dealt four days before the deadline, or maybe it's because New Jersey isn't exactly a sexy destination.

Regardless, Grabner will provide a scoring touch and game-breaking speed to a team that is already considered one of the quickest in the league. With Taylor Hall, Miles Wood, and Grabner all on separate lines, there will be no place for opponents to hide a slow defense pairing, or a slow defenseman in general.

Pontus Aberg, Oilers

Rather than acquiring a draft pick in exchange for Mark Letestu that probably won't make an impact at the NHL level for at least three seasons, the Oilers decided to take a chance on a talented, young forward in need of an opportunity.

Aberg, 24, has recorded just 10 points in 52 career NHL games, but has shown flashes of brilliance along the way, despite averaging under 12 minutes per game. He has, however, produced in the AHL:

Season	GP	G	A	P
2014-15	69	16	18	34
2015-16	74	25	15	40
2016-17	56	31	21	52
2017-18	4	4	2	6
Totals	203	76	56	132

While his scoring touch hasn't translated to the NHL thus far, a chance alongside a playmaker of Connor McDavid's caliber could be all it takes to succeed.

Jason Chimera, Ducks

Despite recording back-to-back 20-goal seasons prior to 2017-18, the Ducks didn't acquire Chimera for his offense. They likely traded for him to provide an elite forechecking presence. Even at 38 years old, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound forward can still skate like the wind.

Though it won't show up on the stat sheet, someone like Chimera who can get in on opposing defensemen, be physical, and disrupt the timing of breakouts, is incredibly valuable in the playoffs - especially considering the Ducks might eventually have to go through the Nashville Predators again, who might move the puck better than any team in the league.

Frank Vatrano, Panthers

Vatrano, 23, seemed primed for a breakout season this year, but it hasn't even come close to materializing, as he has just two goals and zero assists in 25 games while averaging less than 10 minutes per game.

Last season he had 10 goals on 116 shots in 44 games, and with many spots up for grabs in Boston's top-nine forward group this season, a 20-goal season seemed within reach, but he was passed on the depth chart by fellow youngsters such as Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk.

Now in Florida, with the opportunity to potentially play alongside Aleksander Barkov or Vincent Trocheck, the former goal-per-game player in the AHL could flourish if given a chance. Considering the Panthers gave up a third-round pick for him, expect he will be given said opportunity.

Mike Reilly, Canadiens

Reilly was acquired from the Wild in exchange for a fifth-round pick shortly after the Canadiens shipped out Joe Morrow for a fourth-round pick. Essentially, Reilly is a low-risk, high-reward option to replace Morrow on the team's blue line.

Reilly has failed to produce offensively in his 84-game NHL career, but frankly, he hasn't been given much of a chance, averaging just 12:16 of ice time. On Montreal's fairly immobile blue line, the smooth-skating Reilly should play at least five more minutes a night, given that Morrow averaged 17:47.

With more ice time, and a prime candidate to quarterback the team's power play, the 24-year-old could very well find success. After all, he put up big numbers in the AHL and at the University of Minnesota, and defensemen generally take longer to develop.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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