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Former Arizona Coyotes In NHL Playoffs

By Adam Pierce

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The Arizona Coyotes had a very active trade deadline this year. It resulted in many familiar faces leaving the desert. Alternate captain Keith Yandle, defenseman Zbynek Michalek, and center Antoine Vermette quickly said their good byes to depart for a new team. This season has quickly turned into a full rebuild year as the Arizona Coyotes began selling some of their assets, in hopes for a return in the future.

Prospects and draft picks were the two key objectives that management wanted to obtain in order to put the franchise in a position to win the Stanley Cup in the years to come.

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General Manager Don Maloney sent three players who played a major role in the offensive and defensive production of this team packing. Keith Yandle lead the team in points at the trade deadline.  Zbynek Michalek was a strong presence in the defensive zone for the Arizona Coyotes, and Antoine Vermette was top ten in the league in face-offs won.

These players were sought after by many teams and for the right deal; Maloney gave them up.

The New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, and Chicago Blackhawks were the lucky three teams to obtain these players. These three teams happen to be in the 2015 NHL Playoffs as well. By giving up prospects and picks, these teams were able to propel themselves into a position to win the Stanley Cup, with these former Coyotes on their roster.

Howlin’ Hockey checks up on these three players to show you how they are doing with their new franchises.

Keith Yandle (D), New York Rangers

Mar 2, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle (93) controls the puck against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It was a bittersweet feeling for most fans when Keith Yandle was traded to the New York Rangers. Yandle has been leading the team in points for consecutive years, and was also regarded as one of the team’s leaders ever since his arrival. Before the trade to New York, Yandle led the Arizona Coyotes team with 45 points (5 goals and 40 assists).

He was the commander at the blue line, and was a key factor in Arizona’s power play. While he accumulated his fair share of turnovers, he made up his errors with fantastic plays in the offensive zone.

Keith Yandle has transferred those same efforts and playing styles shown in Arizona to New York after the trade. He finished out the season with 12 points (2 goals and 10 assists) in 21 games with the Rangers.

The New York Rangers take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs this year, and they can certainly use Keith Yandle’s offensive and defensive awareness for this series.

Zbynek Michalek (D), St. Louis Blues

Mar 14, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Zbynek Michalek (6) during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

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Looking back at the Blackhawks' trades involving Andrew Ladd
Looking back at the Blackhawks' trades involving Andrew Ladd /

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    • Zbynek Michalek was a very vital part of the Arizona Coyotes defense this past season. While he wasn’t a player who lit up the stat sheet, his technique made it difficult for other players to even get a shot off.

    Michalek displayed a strong sense of physicality, and was able to throw his body on the ice in order to block shots with the best of them. Before the trade, Zbynek Michalek tallied 8 points (2 goals and 6 assists) in 53 games played.

    St. Louis was seeking to add a player to their defensive core who would benefit them the remainder of the season. That player happened to be Zbynek Michalek. As a member of the St. Louis Blues, Michalek was able to score 2 goals and 2 assists for a total of 4 points in 15 games. The same physicality and fearlessness displayed in Arizona is prevalent in St. Louis as well.

    The St. Louis Blues take on the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the playoffs and they could easily use Michalek’s shot blocking abilities this series.

    Antoine Vermette (C), Chicago Blackhawks

    Mar 2, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Antoine Vermette (80) during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

    Antoine Vermette was one of Arizona’s best kept secrets in the faceoff circle. Vermette would battle it out with Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron for the top faceoff percentage in the entire league. Vermette would eventually finish eighth in the league in faceoff wins with 872. With the Arizona Coyotes, Antoine would score 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in 63 games this season.

    When Patrick Kane went down with an injury mid-season, the Chicago Blackhawks looked to make a move to fill that void he left. Arizona made it apparent that they were willing to part ways with some of their players this season, and Chicago took the opportunity to make a deal for Antoine Vermette.

    Vermette immediately helped Chicago with their overall faceoff percentages and helped solidify their playoff position. Through 19 games with Chicago, he has tallied only 3 assists.

    The Chicago Blackhawks take on the Nashville Predators in the first round of the playoffs and Vermette’s skill in the faceoff circle will be needed in order to set up a strong offensives presence against Pekka Rinne.

    Next: Mike Smith Through the Years

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