On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: It may not be a busy trade deadline for the Coyotes.
“I think if people are expecting us to be major players at the trade deadline they may be disappointed,” Chayka said.
GM John Chayka has made it know that they will listen to offers on anyone but Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Clayton Keller it the offer will make them better.
If Chayka doesn’t think he’ll be able to re-sign goaltender Antti Raanta, he could look to move him. The Coyotes don’t really have goalie ready to take over the No. 1 status, so they could hold on to him. The goalie market isn’t strong, with only the NY Islanders possibly looking for a goaltender.
Teams could be interested in defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson. He’s got a year left on his deal at a $4.1 million cap hit. The Coyotes blue line is finally healthy and are playing well, so Chayka may not want to mess with it.
Brad Richardson is a pending UFA and may interest a team looking for a depth center. The Coyotes aren’t deep down the middle, but if they don’t want to or don’t think they can re-sign him, they could move him.
Tobias Rieder is a pending RFA that hasn’t really fit in with Rich Tocchet’s coaching style.
Max Domi hasn’t had a great year and his trade value has decreased. Teams may try to get him for cheap but Chayka doesn’t plan on giving him away if he does move him.
Luke Schenn is a pending UFA and has been a healthy scratch of late. The Coyotes could look to move Kevin Connauton instead. Schenn may not bring back much of a return.
Kevin Connauton is a pending UFA and his trade value may have increased a bit of late.
A team looking for some sandpaper may have an interest in pending UFA Zac Rinaldo. Coach Tocchet likes Rinaldo and there may not be much of a trade market for him.
Jordan Martinook carries a $1.8 million cap hit through next season. Can kill penalties and has speed.