‘Yotes Notes: Arizona Coyotes Players Most Likely to be Traded This Season
Happy Tuesday Arizona Coyotes fans! In today’s ‘Yotes Notes we are taking a look at which Coyotes players are most likely to be traded this season. This edition is not meant to be the Debbie Downer version of Howlin’ Hockey. It can seem that way when looking at players that will probably not be on the team by the end of the season.
With the team now in season two of the rebuild, players that have trade value that are not seen as long-term answers or a part of the team’s future, are going to be looked at assets that can be swapped out for draft picks or players that will contribute down the road. Do not let that discourage you from cheering our boys on this year.
Players that add value to a contending team draw the most value and the Coyotes have a few players who could bring a nice haul in return. I hope that readers know that I would not necessarily be a fan of some of these players being traded, but am being realistic to the possibility or probability of the trade happening.
Shayne Gostisbehere
Shayne Gostisbehere’s name being on this list should not come as a surprise. He is coming off a bounce back season in which he returned to relevance with 14 goals, 37 assists, and 51 points in 82 games. This stat line was good for 15 in scoring among NHL defensemen.
Gostisbehere has one year remaining on his contract and has proven that he can still bring it at age 29.
Is he a long-term piece for the Coyotes? No.
Is he a long-term piece on another team? Probably not longer than a 2-year deal.
So why does it make sense to move him this year? The likelihood of the team bringing him back next year is slim-to-none. Puck moving defensemen are a premium in the NHL. He is a left handed shot, that can log heavy minutes on the powerplay, and would fit in nicely as the addition that could push a contending team over the top.
Gostisbehere’s best asset to this team lies with what he can bring in via trade, that will contribute to the team’s long-term plans. This is not a slam on him either, he is an excellent player. He just is a little long in the tooth for a team in a rebuild.
I guarantee he will not be on the roster by the end of the season.
Christian Fischer
Christian Fischer recently signed a 1-year deal to return to the Coyotes. Now 5 years removed from his “breakout” season in 2017-18 where he scored 15 goals, 18 assists, and 33 points, Fischer has not come close to those numbers.
What he brings to the table is his physicality. He typically logs triple digit hits each season, plays solid hockey on the third line, and does not commit stupid/costly penalties. Also, he is affordable.
His current contract is a 1-year deal worth $1.125 million. Sans a career season, the team will mostly likely not be bringing him back.
At just 25 years old though, he still could add value to a better team with better personnel surrounding him. This is not in anyway a dig at the Coyotes, but take a look at a player like Joonas Donskoi. Donskoi was always a solid player in San Jose. He even put up respectable scoring stats (playing in San Jose and not Arizona will do that).
When he was moved to Colorado he became invaluable. His scoring increased, his defensive play solidified, and his role with the team expanded as well (logging more minutes).
This could be the same for Fischer.
So why move him?
At 25 years old, the team has probably seen what they are going to get from Fischer. If he has a really solid year, which he could, he would bring in multiple assets as he could be the missing depth player on a Cup contender.
If his is not in their long-term plans at least get something for him rather than letting him go after this season.
Jakob Chychrun
Jakob Chychrun is an elite NHL defenseman who is only a 24 years old and just now entering is prime. One year removed from his 18 goal, 41 point (shortened) season, Chychrun has about as much upside as any defenseman in the NHL not named Cale Makar.
Chychrun is relatively cheap for a player of his caliber, with 3 more years at $4.6 million left on his deal. He did however, make a fuss in his exit interview about wanting to win. Who can blame him?
Depending how long this rebuild takes, Chychrun could feel that he is wasting the prime years of his career in Arizona.
Not winning.
All teams want players on their roster who want to be there, and this situation with the Coyotes is no different. So why is it likely that he is on the move sometime this season?
As mentioned, Chychrun is elite. Teams spend years looking for top tier defensemen who can score. The team would get a king’s ransom in any trade and depending on how far away the team is from being “rebuilt” would probably dictate which direction the team wants to go.
He has three years left, so the team does hold all of the cards in this situation. If a team comes forward with an attractive enough offer, he could be gone.
I really would like to see him stick around. My gut tells me that just when his contract is set to expire is when the team will be a legitimate contender (and the homecoming of Auston Matthews). If we let him go, he could be the missing piece we are looking for in a few years.
Nick Schmaltz
Nick Schmaltz is the best player that “just can’t stay healthy”. Originally brought in at a hefty cost (Brendin Perlini and Dylan Strome), Schmaltz was the team’s answer for the need to find a number one center. When he is healthy, he fits the bill.
This trade is a tricky one. If the Coyotes were to actually consider trading Schmaltz, three things would have to be factored into the decision. The first would obviously be his health. If Schmaltz suffers through another injury riddled season the team would not be able to move him if the wanted to.
So he needs to stay healthy.
The second factor is his performance. If he builds off of his amazing season last year, there will be teams picking up the phone to inquire about the asking price for Schmaltz. My gut tells me, he is going to be very good this year.
The third and final factor is how much progress this team makes with their rebuild. If Schmaltz is healthy, has a great season and team is in the bottom of the standings (without any real growth from this year), expect them to entertain offers for him. No progress means his window of being a part of the team’s long-term plans begins to shrink.
If the team takes major steps forward and are closer to being a contender rather than bottom feeders, then the team will most certainly hold on to Schmaltz as he would then be a part of their future plans.
A healthy, productive Nick Schmaltz would bring in a healthy amount of draft picks, and roster ready players. Especially because he is still just 26 years old.
Dysin Mayo
Dysin Mayo got his first real taste of NHL action this season and turned out to be a reliable, defensive defenseman. With great hands and high hockey IQ, Mayo has the ability to shut down the opposing team’s top players. On most nights he average over 20 minutes of ice time and finished the season with 133 blocked shots and 129 hits.
Mayo is just 25 years old and like many players on this list, is just entering his prime. So why would the team consider moving him?
If the right package came across GM Bill Armstrong’s desk Mayo could be moved. For a team that is looking for a stud number 4-6 defenseman, they could come asking about him. It is not impossible for young players who are fan favorites and are entering their prime to be moved. Take a look at Connor Murphy. Young ‘Captain America’ was shipped out in 2017 to the Chicago Blackhawks for Niklas Hjalmarsson.
Murphy is now a staple on the Hawks blueline.
If Mayo has another tremendous season, and increases his point totals, the team will almost certainly move older defensemen currently on the roster. If the offer is just right, Mayo could be shipped out as well, for more future prospects.
The reality is, any player not in the team’s future plans is expendable. As a fan that is not what you want to think about. Let’s hope that this team takes major steps forward and builds on the positives from last season. Continuously getting rid of players for picks is exhausting for fans. Lets hope they get it right this time around.
Aren’t rebuilds fun?
Happy Howlin’