Last-minute tips before the default deadline

Special to Yahoo Sports

PSA: The default trade deadline for Yahoo fantasy leagues is February 22, which means fantasy managers have just one day at the time this article is published to bolster their rosters. The actual NHL trade deadline is March 3. Most leagues will be entering their playoffs over the next couple of weeks.

Here are this week’s trade targets to consider while you look to make that final push.

Trade For

Elias Pettersson, C/LW, Canucks (98% rostered)

The Canucks are going nowhere fast, but the trade of captain Bo Horvat and the trade talk surrounding J.T. Miller are strong signals that the team is prepared to give the reins to Pettersson. To Pettersson’s credit, he’s earned it; in the seven games since the All-Star Game, he has six goals and seven assists, including a five-point performance against the Flyers in his most recent game. Injuries hurt Pettersson’s production in the past, but he’s back in the conversation among franchise players.

Playing with Anthony Beauvillier, who has scored six points in seven games since joining the Canucks, and the crafty Andrei Kuzmenko has unleashed the trio’s full offensive potential, not to mention they’re the only reliable scoring line on the Canucks right now. Pettersson should have a strong finish to the season to cement himself as the player to build around — he’s been asked about the Canucks’ vacant captaincy recently — and given the Canucks’ woes this season, his fantasy value may be discounted right now.

Ryan O’Reilly, C, Maple Leafs (52% rostered)

No doubt, O’Reilly’s role with his new team will be vastly different than when he captained the Blues. He won’t be expected to carry any significant responsibilities on offense, and it was very interesting to see Sheldon Keefe play O’Reilly on the second line with John Tavares and Mitch Marner. That will give O’Reilly’s fantasy value a huge boost after…