The Hossa Contract
In a deal that was seen as a simple contract dump that benefitted the Chicago Blackhawks, the Arizona Coyotes have arguably benefitted the most.
With Marian Hossa no longer able to continue playing, the Blackhawks needed to offload his $5.275 million cap hit until 2021 and the Coyotes were the ideal partners in a trade.
The trade saw the Coyotes part ways with a number of minor players: Andrew Campbell, Marcus Kruger, Jordan Maletta and Mackenzie Entwistle along with a fifth-round pick in 2019.
In return, the Coyotes took on Hossa’s deal, defenceman Jordan Oesterle, forward Vinnie Hinostroza and a third-round pick in 2019.
Campbell has not played an NHL game since 2016 and Maletta, unfortunately, had to retire from the game after suffering a career-ending injury.
Kruger, who had been a part of the Blackhawks’ two most recent cup victories, plays regularly as a fourth-line guy and Entwistle continues his development in juniors – though it will be some time before he even considers making the jump to the NHL.
For the Coyotes, Oesterle and Hinostroza have both been key players this season – playing 52 and 51 regular season games so far as the team looks to compete for a playoff spot.
If Entwistle develops well, the trade could work out nicely for both teams, but with the Coyotes getting a higher pick and two impact players immediately, this one should be considered a win for Chayka.