The Arizona Coyotes have traded Keith Yandle and Chris Summers to the New York Rangers, and a 2016 fourth round pick in exchange for Anthony Duclair, John Moore, a 2016 conditional first round pick, and a 2015 second round pick. The Coyotes are expected to be retaining up to 50% of Yandle’s cap hit. More pieces are expected to be moving in the deal, check back for updates.
Key components likely to be going the other way are Anthony Duclair and draft picks, incl a 1st round pick. #TradeCentre.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2015
Awaiting details on Yandle to NYR trade (pending trade call) but ARI believed to be picking up 50 per cent of Yandle’s money.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2015
Girardi never part of Yandle deal. Main components believed to be Yandle, Chris Summers to NYR. ARI gets Duclair, Moore, 1st rder plus pick.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2015
A 28-year-old American defenseman, Yandle is signed through to the end of the 2015-16 season, and carries a 5.25M cap hit, which is very reasonable for what he brings. He is an offensive defenseman, and can quarterback the powerplay. While not typically known for his defensive play, his ability to produce offence has made him a highly sought after commodity. Teams around the league are often looking to upgrade their blue line, and with Yandle signed for an extra year, there’s no risk of losing him to free agency in the summer. With the Coyotes going into a rebuild, there has been speculation for quite some time that Yandle could be on his way out the door.
Yandle’s best season came in 2010-11 when he scored 11 goals and 48 assists for 59 points along with a plus-12 rating. He has been able to produce despite playing under a defensive minded system, and is certainly capable of putting up similar numbers on a more offensive minded team. He can provide his new club with some offensive spark from the blueline and should be a real weapon on the powerplay. With time left on Yandle’s deal this isn’t the usual trade deadline rental acquisition.
Summers, 27, was the Coyotes first round pick, 29th overall in the 2006 NHL Draft. He has 3 assists in 17 games this season, and has also spent time in the AHL.
Moore, 24, has 1 goal and 6 points in 38 games for the New York Rangers this season. He has generally been a stay at home defenceman on the Rangers third pairing when used.
Anthony Duclair, 19, was the New York Rangers third round pick, 80th overall in the 2013 NHL draft. He made the Rangers out of training camp, scoring one goal and seven points for the team this year. He was then sent to play in the World Junior Championships for Team Canada where he was part of a dynamic line with Coyotes prospect Max Domi in helping Team Canada win a gold medal. He will be reunited with Domi in the Arizona organization. Currently Duclair is playing for the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL
The first round pick is the Rangers 2016 pick. Their 2015 pick is owned by the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of last year’s trade for Martin St. Louis.
Stay tuned to Last Word On Sports as we bring you all the major deals leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline, March 2nd at 3:00 PM EST.
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