The Coyotes: Rebuilt and Reborn... again.

This post is going to dissect the moves the Coyotes made today. For those who didn't see it the first time, they brought in A LOT of new faces for a few of the key old ones that were either on their way out or just not fitting in with the system. Lets take a look at some of the moves they made, how it will affect the team, and whether or not they won or lost the deal.




Phoenix Coyotes traded Mikael Tellqvist to the Buffalo Sabres for a Fourth Round Selection in the 2010 NHL Draft.

How will it affect the teams?: In Buffalo's case, they needed an insurance policy in case Patrick Lalime becomes injured. With Ryan Miller already on the shelf, the team needed a goaltender with NHL experience to turn if they end up in a worst-case situation. This way, they can send 20-year-old goaltender Jhonas Enroth back to Rochester for more seasoning.
In Phoenix's case, they were becoming too deep in goal, with Swedish goaltending prospect Joel Gistedt playing for the AA-Level Arizona Sundogs of the CHL when the team would preferably have him in the AAA-Level San Antonio Rampage in the AHL. The reason this trade was possible though is because of Josh Tordjman's performance at the AHL Level. He was named RBK X-Pulse goaltender of the month in January, he's persevered with players like David LeNeveu and Al Montoya supposedly higher than him on the depth chart, and he's steadily improved at the minor-pro ranks. In short, he's done everything right to deserve the call up to support and challenge Bryzgalov for playing time.
Telly will be missed, he was definitely a fan favorite and loved in the locker room, but there was no way he was coming back next season and the Coyotes did right to get something, if anything, in return for him.
Edge: Draw




Phoenix Coyotes traded Dan Carcillo to the Philadelphia Flyers for Scottie Upshall and a Second Round Selection in the 2011 NHL Draft.

How will it affect the teams?: In Philly's case, they're getting a player who's not only overwhelmingly popular, but will stand up to heavyweights despite being outclassed. Some think he'll never be a 20 goal scorer, some think he'll be a 30+ goal scorer. However that works out, the environment in Philly could be a bit more conducive to him finding that element of his game and his hot-headed nature will either be encouraged or controlled with the higher element of veteran presence.
In Phoenix's case, Carcillo was taking the wrong penalties at the wrong time and despite his popular nature as a toughguy, was not giving the team the kind of production they assumed he was capable of. In Scottie Upshall, the team gains a player who was the sixth overall pick in 2002, has consistently shown improvement over the past few seasons in terms of production, isn't afraid to drop the gloves, and is Western Canadian alike the majority of the Canadian players found on the squad. A red flag is raised when you come to realize this is Upshall's third team in as many seasons, but when you consider the numbers situation in Philly, having him come to Phoenix gives them breathing room toward their salary cap while giving Phoenix a player they can work to lock up next season because he still falls into the RFA (or restricted free agent) category.
This deal looks like a draw until you consider the fact Phoenix also acquired a 2nd rounder out of the deal...
Edge: Phoenix by a hair




Phoenix Coyotes traded Derek Morris to the New York Rangers for Nigel Dawes, Dmitri Kalinin, and Petr Prucha.

How will it affect the teams?: The Rangers have had problems on defense all season long, so it's no surprise that they went after a legitimate top-four defenseman before the deadline. Derek Morris has spent the past few seasons as a shut-down defender with the Coyotes, but there was a time during his career with Calgary and Colorado where he was considered a legitmate offensive threat. While it remains to be seen if he'll rediscover his offensive touch as a Ranger, he can defend with the best of them and given his UFA (or unrestricted free agent) status at the end of the season, he can be let go if the Rangers decide not to include him as part of their confounded salary cap situation.
The Coyotes, however, are getting three guys who have all the ingredients to be great, but need to demonstrate the consistency to be great.
Nigel Dawes has produced with great results at the junior level and minor-pro level. This is his first full season in the NHL and while his production isn't on par with what he's produced at lower levels, it could be argued that he wasn't used properly with the Rangers. If the Coyotes can tap into his scoring abilities, they really could be on to something from acquiring him. He's a bit on the smaller side, but while he doesn't fit in terms of pedigree of the other players, he could really inject some soul into the team... because he's from Winnipeg. (I gotta admit though, with him being half-Canadian and half-Jamaican, I'd LOVE to hang with the guy if he were a musician! Fa Fa!)
In Petr Prucha's case, you're wondering if a change of scenery will help him rediscover the offensive game he had a few season ago. In his first two seasons in the NHL, Prucha was producing at least 40 points a season. In the past two seasons, he's put up 17 points and 9 points respectively. I don't know if it was the acquisitions of players like Zherdev, Drury, and Gomez that thrust him into a different role on the team, but he hasn't been as prolific as his previous numbers would indicate. He does join fellow countrymen Martin Hanzal and Zbynek Michalek, which may help him become better acclimated to the club.
With Dmitri Kalinin, you're having a player who's been wrought with inconsistency despite having the tools to be a star. The 18th overall pick in 1998, he's gone from being considered a part of Buffalo's future to a player who is now with his third team in two seasons. Nevertheless, he's a legitimate Top-Four defender who is extremely versatile. While it's nice for him to have Viktor Tikhonov to speak his native language, it's going to be how well he works with Ilya Bryzgalov that will show how beneficial or detrimental he'll be to the team for the rest of the season.
While Kalinin is a UFA at the end of the season, both Prucha and Dawes will be RFAs, so they'll be easier to retain. Even then, given the economic nature of the league and of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, Kalinin may be easier to retain if he and Bryzgalov develop chemistry in the closing weeks of the season.
Edge: NY Rangers in the short-term, but if the Dawes, Prucha, and Kalinin not only stay with the team but in turn enhance it, Phoenix will win in the long-term. This especially holds true if Morris returns to Phoenix in the off-season.


And finally the "big trade of the day..."




Phoenix Coyotes traded Olli Jokinen and a third round draft pick in 2009 to the Calgary Flames for Matthew Lombardi, Brandon Prust, and a first round draft pick in either 2009 or 2010.

How will it affect the teams?: Calgary is wanting to go deep into the playoffs NOW and was willing to give up two significant players and a first round pick to obtain the "big centerman" that will be necessary to compete with the likes of Mats Sundin and Joe Thornton come playoff time. Jokinen is talented, but his production for Phoenix hasn't come close to what he did in Florida for the past three seasons. Ultimately, he didn't really fit in well with either the culture or the identity of the Coyotes. Jokinen will now not only get his wish to be on a playoff team, but will be reunited with Mike Keenan and will team up with fellow Finnish superstar Mikka Kipprusoff. Regardless of teams, this portion of the deal works out for Jokinen.
Make no mistake though, in giving up Jokinen the Coyotes acquired two players that they not only needed, but will fit in nicely with the M.O. of the team. Matthew Lombardi is a legitimate top-six forward with a sound two-way game, and that's something this team has needed far worse than a big centerman who can occasionally score goals (that's what Hanzal's for.) Prust is a checking-line forward who has a sound two-way game and a knack for dropping the gloves. He doesn't have a whole lot of offensive skill, but that role is more than filled by the other players on the squad.
All players involved will be locked into their contracts until the end of next season. Jokinen and Lombardi will be UFAs, while Prust will be an RFA
Edge: Calgary in the short-term, Phoenix in the long-term, no bones about it.

Well, this trade deadline day has me feeling sleepy, so until next time, goodnight hockey fans.