With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Arizona Coyotes will have a few decisions to make if they look like playoff contenders.
The Arizona Coyotes sit just two points outside of the playoff places and are chasing the post-season in hopes of snapping a lengthy drought that has seen the team miss out for the past six seasons after reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2012.
With the team putting up surprising results that could see them potentially competing until the very last minute of play, some trade deadline moves might be necessary to help the team tip the scales in their favour.
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At this stage, just under a month ahead of the deadline, it is not yet clear whether or not the Coyotes will be buyers or sellers and, per Sportsnet’s Josh Beneteau, there are a number of players the team could look at.
General manager John Chayka has not been afraid to make moves since arriving in the desert, with 41 already being made by the 29-year-old.
Interestingly, Beneteau lists goaltenders such as Edmonton Oilers’ Cam Talbot and Detroit Red Wings’ Jimmy Howard as players the Coyotes could target at the deadline.
It is unlikely that the Coyotes will add to their loaded goaltender depth, with Darcy Kuemper and Calvin Pickard expected to remain their top tandem with Antti Raanta sidelined with an injury and Adin Hill back in the minors once again.
Beneteau does also see Pickard being moved out, but Rick Tocchet will undoubtedly have a voice in the decision and is more than likely hoping to keep his roster together rather, especially at a position that needs stability.
While Richard Panik is regularly linked with being on the move at the deadline, some of the players that have been named as potential targets could be interesting propositions for the team.
Brayden Schenn could be the most intriguing of all the players named in Beneteau’s report, with the 27-year-old brother of former Arizona Coyotes blueliner Luke Schenn having plenty to offer.
Schenn is having a surprisingly down season, along with the rest of his St. Louis Blues teammates, with the fifth overall selection in the 2009 draft having earned three consecutive seasons with over 25 goals previously.
Despite this, Schenn still has 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 45 regular season games this season, a tally that would actually see the Saskatchewan native sitting second in total points on the Coyotes roster – behind Clayton Keller’s 35 (11G, 24A).
With the Coyotes’ centre depth severely depleted due to their injury troubles, Schenn would slot in nicely and provide the team with a legitimate offensive threat on their first or second line.
The 6-foot-1, 200lbs forward would also be a decent physical presence up front for the Arizona Coyotes, adding to their rugged style of play that has been difficult to overcome for opposing teams.
With Schenn signed for another season beyond this, at a palatable $5.125 million, he would be more than just a rental for this season – having some extra value for the team.
While it is unlikely that the Coyotes will want to give up much at the deadline, their opportunity to tip themselves into the playoffs could be a deciding factor on any potential trade.
Adding a player such as Schenn would be a big statement for the Arizona Coyotes, but it’s one that will no doubt only come if the team is legitimate post-season contenders.
What do you think Coyotes fans? Should the team make a move for a player such as Brayden Schenn? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!