Being that the Coyotes are still competing for a playoff spot 47 games into the season, it will be interesting to see if they are more aggressive at the trade deadline.
The March 8 NHL Trade Deadline is slowly approaching.
The Arizona Coyotes will have an interesting choice to make when it comes to what strategy they take at the trade deadline.
Through 47 games, the Coyotes have a 23-21-3 record and are a couple of points out of a wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Being that the Coyotes are still competing for a playoff spot at this point in the season, they could be more active at the trade deadline than in years past.
Some talented players may be made available over the next few weeks including Chris Tanev, Sean Monahan, Jakob Chychrun and Vladimir Tarasenko.
Arizona has 13 picks in the 2024 NHL draft, so they have a lot of assets at their disposal if they did want to make some moves at the deadline.
Will the Coyotes be buyers at this year’s trade deadline?
If they are serious about making the playoffs, an addition to the roster via trade might be necessary especially with all the injuries Arizona has been forced to deal with through the season.
However, giving up valuable future assets for rentals is not something that general manager Bill Armstrong is interested in doing.
“I think we have 10 second rounders over the next three years, seven third rounders over the next three years, but that doesn't mean we want to give those away. It’s gotta make sense in the long-term,” Armstrong said via PHNX Sports.
“If we are going to put a package of picks together which we’ve done for the Durzis and the McBains of the world, then it makes sense because they are with us and they are going to help us grow. I would look for opportunities to do that more so then give something for something… We look for the big picture. Can we add someone that is going to help us 2-3 years down the road and that pays more dividends in my mind than anything and we have assets to do so.”
Armstrong has never been the type of general manager to sacrifice future draft picks or prospects for rental type players.
The Coyotes are in the second wave of their rebuild where they are looking to be competitive, but are trying to add players that fit a young timeline as opposed to going all in for one season.
This is why it is probably unlikely the Coyotes are full buyers at the trade deadline, while it is still very possible Armstrong makes a couple of small moves to help boost the team especially if they are still competing for a playoff spot.