Will a Prospect Tell an NHL Team Not To Draft Them? Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk1MDQ5MTc0NjM3NDg3ODQy/usatsi_19732541.jpg] As the NHL’s March 3 trade deadline draws near, the Arizona Coyotes will be one of the key teams to watch. The Yotes are in full tank mode, and as such, they should be moving many of their veterans for prospects and draft picks. Everyone expects them to deal defenseman Jakob Chychrun, but there are many more current Coyotes players and assets who will be attractive to trade partners. Here are the top six Arizona assets – other than Chychrun – who are on the trade block: 6. TROY STECHER, D Like most players on this list, Stecher is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. And the 28-year-old’s $1.25-million salary makes him an affordable depth option for teams seeking help on the back end. Stecher isn’t going to contribute much, if anything, on offense, but Arizona has used him for his speed, and they’ve also employed him at forward this year. That versatility is a solid selling point for Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong, and Stecher won’t cost more than a fifth-or-sixth-round draft pick to acquire. 5. NICK RITCHIE, LW Ritchie is far from an elite player, but with eight goals and 17 points in limited minutes during 36 games this season, he’s got some value as a depth forward. Ritchie will be a UFA this summer, so he’s a pure rental who likely will bring back a decent prospect or a late-draft selection in the next one or two drafts. You may be pleasantly surprised at what he can provide if you don't expect the world from him. 4. NICK BJUGSTAD, C At 30 years old, Bjugstad is one of the most senior members of the Coyotes, but he’s quietly putting up decent numbers on offense (10 goals and 17 points in 39 games), and his $900,000 salary and UFA status at season’s end make him a high-value trade option. He’s exactly the type of veteran presence teams will be looking for. Armstrong should be able to wring a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick, or slightly above-average prospect, to sell him as a rental. 3. KAREL VEJMELKA, G We mentioned this last month [https://thehockeynews.com/news/three-goalies-the-los-angeles-kings-could-try-to-acquire], but Vejmelka is one of the better options potentially available for a team to address their goaltending situation with. The Los Angeles Kings would be a good fit for the 26-year-old Czechia native, who also has the benefit of cost certainty (earning $2.725 million for this season and two more years) on his side. Vejmelka’s personal numbers (including a .902 save percentage and 3.03 goals-against average) would improve on a playoff contender, and Armstrong’s asking price for him would be high, considering it’s a seller’s market for netminders this season. Vejmelka could bring one of the best returns of any Coyote not named Chychrun, which is why it’s very possible he gets moved. 2. ALL THAT CAP SPACE With approximately $35.5 million in cap space per Cap Friendly [https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/coyotes)], the Coyotes are positioned to be a key power broker for cap-strapped teams looking to dump a bad contract or two at the deadline. It’s going to cost a trade partner a high draft pick and/or a top prospect to get Armstrong to take on some bad deals. But at this stage in Arizona’s development, it makes sense for them to grit out the rest of this season with an eye on the future. Armstrong may have to wait until the deadline to make big moves with his cap space. Teams will try every available trade option before resorting to giving away a first-rounder in return for roster flexibility, so patience remains a virtue for the Coyotes. 1. SHAYNE GOSTISBEHERE, D Many teams that miss out on Chychrun will be intrigued at the prospect of acquiring Gostisbehere, who leads Arizona’s defense corps on offense with nine goals and 26 points in 39 games this season. The 29-year-old is also averaging more than 22 minutes a night, and he may be even more effective on a playoff-bound franchise that doesn’t have to lean on him as hard in terms of ice time. Gostisbehere’s salary of $4.5 million will limit the number of suitors for his services, but he’s also a pure rental. The desperation that sets in for teams needing help will keep Armstrong’s asking price high. Chychrun will bring the best return of any current Coyote, but Gostisbehere has solid value as well.
