The Arizona Coyotes have traded a 2017 3rd round pick and a conditional 2018 2nd round pick to the Florida Panthers for top prospect Lawson Crouse and Dave Bolland.
When Arizona Coyotes fans sat down at the end of last season and looked at who could return to the ice for the Coyotes next fall, few would have said the team would be fielding the roster they have now.
Even fewer would’ve expected the hiring of young General Manager John Chayka.
And a new team the Arizona Coyotes are.
Chayka aggressively sought to improve the defense through trade and free agency and now he’s done it again on the offensive end, upgrading the Coyotes’ prospect corps to an even higher level.
The news first broke via Hockey Night In Canada’s Elliotte Friedman:
Friedman further confirmed that Arizona would be surrendering a 2017 conditional 3rd round pick and a 2018 conditional 2nd round pick. Additional reports from Friedman and senior ESPN NHL writer Craig Custance clarified the conditions of those picks.
2nd-round pick in Bolland deal is conditional. Quite possible this trade becomes Bolland & Crouse for two thirds.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) August 25, 2016
If Crouse doesn't play in Arizona this season, the 2nd round pick becomes a 3rd round pick.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) August 25, 2016
In return, Arizona is getting a little bit of a mixed bag between Lawson Crouse and Dave Bolland.
Bolland, who is known for his defensive, hard-nosed play, has struggled over recent years due to a series of nagging injuries.
Moreover, Bolland is a possible Long-Term Injured Reserve Candidate because of those injuries. His time being sent down to the AHL only signals that’s he’s not ready for NHL play anymore.
Another important point to note is Bolland’s contract, which was likely the reason this trade happened to begin with.
David Bolland has 3 years & $16.5M remaining on his deal signed in 2014-15.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) August 25, 2016
The other part of the trade coming to Arizona, Lawson Crouse, is far more intriguing.
Crouse was the 11th overall pick by Florida in 2015. He’s considered comparable to some heavy-hitting but high-scoring wingers such as Milan Lucic and Hall of Famer Cam Neely.
Crouse posted 62 points over 49 games in the OHL last season. He’s not eligible to play in the AHL this season with the Roadrunners should he not make the Arizona Coyotes’ roster.
Moreover, Crouse is projected to become a solid top-6 forward while being noted as the #5 North American skater in the 2015 draft by NHL Central Scouting.
Next: Coyotes Hire Braid, First Full-Time Female Coach In NHL
The Coyotes proved yet again today that they are making moves to be successful in the near future.
In a short span, new Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka has remade this roster with a series of savvy moves.