Arizona Coyotes trade Strome and Perlini for Nick Schmaltz
By James Reeve
The Arizona Coyotes have traded Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Nick Schmaltz.
The trade marks the end of a disappointing era for Strome with the Arizona Coyotes, with the former third-overall pick having failed to live up to expectations.
After being drafted by the Coyotes in 2015, Strome has made just 48 regular season appearances in the NHL – registering 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in the process.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner selected one place after Strome, with 160 points (47G-113A) in 183 games, it is understandable that the Coyotes organisation decided to move on from their disappointing draft pick.
Perlini, meanwhile, has been marginally more successful for the Coyotes after being selected 12th overall in 2014 – registering 33 goals and 57 total points in 153 regular season games.
In return for the Arizona Coyotes’ two former first-round selections, the organisation receives centre Nick Schmaltz, who went eight places after Perlini in the 2014 draft.
Schmaltz has played just nine games more than Perlini in the NHL, but has been far more productive on offence.
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In 162 regular season games with the Blackhawks, Schmaltz has scored 29 goals and has 91 total points to his name.
Schmaltz currently sits just under a point every two games this season, with 11 (2G-9A) in 23 games for Chicago.
His 21-goal, 52-point season in 2017/18 has given the Coyotes a clear glimpse into what the 22-year-old American could be.
The trade, while seeing the Coyotes receive arguably the best player in return, sees the team lose two regular players from their NHL roster.
Results have been largely inconsistent for the Arizona Coyotes this season and Rick Tocchet needs players that are able to contribute to a high level offensively if he has any hopes of steering the team to the playoffs.
It is too early to truly judge this trade, but first impressions suggest that it will work out for both parties involved.
Strome will be re-united with former juniors teammate Alex DeBrincat whereas the Coyotes receive a player that showed a lot of promise last season and could develop into a solid regular.
Next. Antti Raanta will bounce back. dark
What do you think Coyotes fans? Are you happy with the trade? Are you surprised? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!