Arizona Coyotes acquire Jordan Weal after Richardson injury
By James Reeve
The Arizona Coyotes moved quickly to address their depleted forward depth by trading for Philadelphia Flyers centre Jordan Weal.
Weal joins an Arizona Coyotes team that needed to fill the hole left by Brad Richardson, with the team now losing three different centres for long periods this season – with Nick Schmaltz and Christian Dvorak out for the year.
In return for Weal, who was a third round (70th overall) selection by the LA Kings in the 2010 draft, the Coyotes gave up a sixth-round draft pick this year as well as defenceman Jacob Graves.
OFFICIAL: #Coyotes Acquire Weal from @NHLFlyers for Graves, 6th Round Pick in 2019 NHL Draft https://t.co/FZHWqtTOzC
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) January 11, 2019
For the Coyotes, they are getting an experienced NHL player that is solid in the face-off circle, currently having success 59.7% of the time.
More from Coyotes News
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
Weal isn’t likely to produce much offensively, with just three goals and nine total points in 28 regular season games with the Flyers this season.
The 26-year-old has put up big numbers in the AHL and has played less than two seasons worth of NHL games so far in his career, with the Coyotes undoubtedly going to give him plenty of opportunities for the rest of the season.
Weal could be a very short-term rental player for the Coyotes, unless he impresses, as his $1.75 million AAV contract is up after this season – with the right-handed centre set to become an unrestricted free agent.
The return for Weal is not significant for the Coyotes organisation, giving up a late round draft pick as well as Graves, who wasn’t likely to find himself playing in the NHL any time soon.
The majority of Graves’ professional career has been spent in the ECHL, with spells at the Cincinnati Cyclones, Quad City Mallards and the Norfolk Admirals – the Coyotes’ affiliates in the third-tier.
The 23-year-old right-hander went undrafted and has played over 40 games in the AHL, so the Flyers could have a potential minor player that can help their affiliates if they choose to give him a shot at stepping up.
Next. Conor Garland looking great. dark
What do you think of the trade Coyotes fans? Do you think the return was acceptable for Weal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!