Is Coyotes’ Yandle on the block?
Now that Oliver Ekman-Larsson has his six-year, $33 million deal, is Phoenix Coyotes defenceman Keith Yandle available? The answer is, yes, but not in a fire sale.
The belief is that the Coyotes are at their league-imposed salary ceiling, but they’re not being forced to dump salary. They’d trade Yandle — not because of money — but because the Coyotes’ offence is so weak even coach Dave Tippett’s defensive style can’t support an offence that was recently shutout three games in a row.
So any Yandle deal would be like the Colorado-St. Louis deal of two years ago, when Chris Stewart, Kevin Shattenkirk and a second round choice (Ty Rattie) went to the Blues, while the Avalanche got Erik Johnson, Jay McClement and a first-round pick. Salary coming and going would have to be nearly equal for Phoenix, and so would relative value of the players.
An easier acquisition from Phoenix would be Steve Sullivan — he’s been a bust there with just five goals, scoring in just three of 27 ‘Yotes games.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/spector-on-nhl-trade-speculation-heats-up/