The Arizona Coyotes have acquired center Marcus Kruger and a third-round selection in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Jordan Martinook and a fourth-round selection in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Arizona Coyotes Trade for Marcus Kruger
You seldom hear of a trade during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but one has been finalized. The Arizona Coyotes have traded for center Marcus Kruger from the Carolina Hurricanes. Kruger played a single season with Carolina, playing in 48 games during the 2017-18 season. During that time he scored a single goal and added five assists to his tally.
Kruger also spent time in the AHL with the Hurricanes AHL-affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. Kruger played in 19 games this season with the Checkers, scoring four goals and adding four assists during his time in the AHL.
“We are very pleased to add Marcus to the Coyotes,” said Chayka. “Marcus is a solid, two-way center who is very responsible defensively and has good speed and skill. He’s an excellent penalty-killer and will provide us with good depth at the center ice position.”
While Kruger, 27, may not come with a sparkling resume of point production, he does bring experience to Arizona. Kruger is an NHL veteran of 446 games, 398 of which came with the Chicago Blackhawks. During his time with Chicago, he was able to help the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2013 and 2015.
On the other end of the trade, Carolina has acquired Jordan Martinook. Martinook was a second-round selection, 58th overall, of the Coyotes in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the majority of his first three seasons playing in the AHL with the Portland Pirates.
After being brought into the fold with the Coyotes Martinook played in 247 games, scoring 26 goals and adding 39 assists. The forward broke the 20-point mark in both 2015-16 and 2016-17, falling down to 15 points this past season.
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