NHL Trade Rumors: Should The Lottery Winner Trade The Pick?

Arizona Coyotes

Dec 20, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing

(19) and center

(24) celebrate a goal in the second period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Depending on how far you feel the drop off in talent is from McDavid and Eichel, the Arizona Coyotes are where the thought of trades start to get interesting.  The Coyotes have languished near the bottom of the league all season, in part because the play of Mike Smith has fallen off dramatically.  Their -30 goal differential is third worst in the league.  Should the Coyotes decide to change course there could be interesting pieces to the Oilers – notably Oliver Ekman-Larsson.  A solid puck moving defensemen with power play skills would fit nicely with the stockpile of forwards in Edmonton.  Obviously this isn’t a straight up deal:  Arizona would likely send this pick to Edmonton as part of the package.  But they are going to have to figure out life without Shane Doan very soon.  It would be a bold statement for Arizona to make and one that could energize hockey in the desert.

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