3 players that the Arizona Coyotes can trade for assets right now
The Arizona Coyotes may have to make some tough decisions in the coming weeks.
The Arizona Coyotes had a very nice start to the season. They were consistently in or close to a playoff spot for the first half of the year.
Since then, they have fallen off a little bit. They are certainly not a bottom-feeder anymore but at 25-31-5 (55 points), they are not looking like a playoff team.
With the March 8th trade deadline fast approaching, they are going to be sellers. They have a lot of players that contenders might consider taking a look at.
If they are to move some of their players for future assets, these three are the most likely to go:
Jason Zucker might be great for someone looking for forward depth
Jason Zucker has been around the NHL a little bit now. He has had great tenures with the Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins, and now the Arizona Coyotes.
On Tuesday night, we learned that he was being held out of their game against the Chicago Blackhawks for trade-related reasons. He is as good as gone now.
Zucker will provide depth and a scoring touch to someone's middle six. He is fast and can defend too so there is no reason not to consider him.
This is a player with a lot of experience in the league and he is hungry to win. You can tell by the way that he works so hard on every one of his shifts.
In 51 games played this season, he has 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points. You can expect that production to increase if he goes to a team that puts better players around him regularly. A player with his type of motor will also pay dividends in the postseason.
Matt Dumba could end up being good for a playoff contender this year
Matt Dumba, like Jason Zucker, started his career with the Minnesota Wild. They found themselves togethere again during this season and now both of them could be on the move.
Dumba is also an unrestricted free agent after this year which is why the Coyotes should consider trading him. He signed a one-year deal over the summer to come to Arizona.
It will look like a great signing for them if they are able to trade him for an asset that could help them in their quest to rebuild.
So far this season, Dumba has four goals and five assists for nine points in 57 games played. His overall game has taken a dip this season but there are plenty of contenders that might see the value in a player like him.
If he could be surrounded by some more talent like he was in Minnesota, you might see a spike in his play. Don't fall off your chair if he is moved before Friday.
Troy Stetcher is another defenseman that they could consider moving
Troy Stecher is a defenseman who provides some value in the league. He only has one goal and four assists for five points in 46 games played so you aren't trading for him if you need offense from the back end.
However, even being on a bad Coyotes team, you can expect him to be pretty solid defensively. If he were to play on a contending team, you may see him play well.
He is 29 years old and he is a rental if acquired too. There is no real long-term commitment to him but entering his age 30 season, whoever gets him may consider him for a contract extension.
The fire sale of the Coyotes could be something that leads to them losing games down the stretch. That will improve their draft stock though which is good for their plans. The players involved and the acquiring teams would be better for it in the long run as well. We shall see who gets moved and when.
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