The Arizona Coyotes have traded defenseman Zbynek Michalek and a conditional third round pick to the St. Louis Blues for Maxim Letunov. The Coyotes retained part of Michalek’s salary.
The 32-year old Michalek was undrafted. The pending UFA carries a $4 million cap hit.
The 19-year old Letunov was drafted 52nd overall in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft by the Blues.
Here is the Blues projected playoff defense: Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo, Gunnarsson-Shattenkirk, Jackman-Michalek. Pretty good.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) March 2, 2015
Michalek is 32, has 73 hits, ranks 12th in NHL with 130 blocks in 53 games this season. In the final year of a 5yr, $20M contract. #stlblues
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) March 2, 2015
Michalek also told Sportsnet that he hasn’t been on the ice yet, will wait to see how he feels when he skates. #stlblues
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) March 2, 2015
Zbynek Michalek
Maxim Letunov