NHL Rumors: Coyotes Could Deal Keith Yandle Before Weekend Is Over
Already having been involved in a trade for a defenseman this weekend, the latest NHL rumors have the Phoenix Coyotes involved in another one, but with this one involving sending one out rather than bringing one in.
There was already plenty of speculation as to whether or not the Coyotes would deal Keith Yandle before the weekend was over, but the acquisition of Zbynek Michalek increased that speculation.
Yandle signed a new five-year deal with the Coyotes last summer as a restricted free agent, so a team could be looking into acquire a top tier offensive defenseman who is locked in for four more years.
Teams that could be looking to acquire Yandle’s services include the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers, with the Coyotes believed to be looking at bringing in a center as a return. Early rumors had him as a centerpiece for a potential Jordan Staal deal, but that ship has obviously sailed.
The emergence of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and acquistion of Michalek increased the belief that the Coyotes would trade Yandle before the weekend is out. He’s one of the better offensive defensemen in the league, and could end up bringing a decent return.
It’s not clear if the Coyotes are actively shopping Yandle or more just fielding calls on him, waiting for the right deal. But it certainly looks like he could be dealt before the weekend is out. Detroit is in the market for defense, obviously mainly because of Nicklas Lidstrom retiring, and the Flyers’ defensive woes were well-documented in that series loss to the New Jersey Devils. Could Yandle be reunited with Ilya Bryzgalov?
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