Arizona Coyotes: Free Agency And Trade Targets
Arizona Coyotes General Manager John Chayka is approaching his first free agency period after a stellar draft.
There was a lot of buzz surrounding the 2016 draft class secured by Arizona Coyotes General Manager John Chayka.
That was last week, however. Free agency is in two days and there are still questions on how hard the Coyotes will hit the market.
There are also concerns about Shane Doan and the lack of movement on the captain’s next contract.
Arizona Coyotes Trade Targets
Which names are the Arizona Coyotes pursuing? Are they pursuing any?
The only real confirmation we have had is regarding their pursuit of a trade for St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
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Shattenkirk is one addition that would take the Coyotes blue-line from bottom of the barrel in 2015-16 to pretty competent. Particularly once you throw in the acquisition of Alex Goligoski.
The top four would be considerably stronger than any incarnation we saw on the ice last season, and would go a long way towards providing a little more protection for Mike Smith and Louis Domingue in net.
Most importantly, with a top four consisting of some form of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Connor Murphy, Goligoski, and Kevin Shattenkirk, the Arizona Coyotes might finally be able to keep the puck in the offensive end more than the defensive one once again.
Unfortunately, the Blues have previously asked the Boston Bruins for two first round picks and David Pastrnak prior to the 2016 NHL Draft. To further drive home their point on the return they are seeking, St. Louis hit up the Detroit Red Wings for Dylan Larkin in exchange when the Red Wings inquired about Shattenkirk’s availability.
The price tag has been too high for anyone interested thus far, and there’s no reason to believe that Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong is going to lower it for Arizona and Chayka.
At that price, and with Goligoski already secured, it’s hard to foresee John Chayka betting the farm on one year of Shattenkirk without a guarantee of something longer term.
Free Agents To Pursue
There’s water-cooler talk of the Arizona Coyotes pursuing a scoring forward such as Kyle Okposo or Loui Eriksson. Based on the options available to these players, however, it seems unlikely that either would seek out a team that hasn’t made the playoffs for several seasons as their destination.
At least not without a massive overpay by Chayka and the Coyotes.
Another option is 30-year-old winger Troy Brouwer, who most recently played with the St. Louis Blues. Brouwer has scored 20 or more goals three times in his 10 year career and perennially hovers in that range.
Brouwer fits the mold of a two-way power forward, much like captain Shane Doan, and could provide good depth by being able to slide between the second and third lines.
It’s reasonable to think Troy Brouwer would be willing to sign in the desert, but he too will likely have his pick of options that are further along in their pursuit of Lord Stanley’s Cup. He’s also thirty-years-old, so the term he demands is a huge factor.
Beyond the Shattenkirk rumors and the potential for some lesser signings, it’s hard to see the Arizona Coyotes making much noise on July 1st.
Then again, that’s what everyone thought about nearly every team after the 2016 NHL Draft. Then yesterday we saw P.K. Subban traded for Shea Weber, and Taylor Hall traded for Adam Larsson.
Next: Coyotes Need To Pursue A Scoring Forward In Free Agency
The news will be coming in fast and furious on July 1st.
Perhaps some of it will be created by John Chayka and the Yotes.