Coyotes trade D Zbynek Michalek, draft pick to Blues for prospect
The Arizona Coyotes made another trade sending veteran defenseman Zbynek Mcihalek to the St. Louis Blues.
By
Adam Gretz
•
1 min read
The Arizona Coyotes continued to kick off their rebuild at the NHL trade deadline on Monday when they sent veteran defenseman Zbynek Michalek and a conditional third-round draft pick to the St. Louis Blues for prospect Maxim Letunov.
Michalek is an interesting addition for the Blues because when healthy he will be a solid depth pick up for an already deep and very good defensive team. Even though he is getting a little older, he is still a fearless shot-blocker and a strong penalty-killing presence on the blueline. But the problem is he is currently out of the lineup -- and has been for a couple of weeks now -- as he continues to recover from a concussion.
It is not yet known when he will be able to return to the ice.
In 53 games this season he has scored two goals to go with six assists.
The Blues are already without defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk at the moment due to injury, but when he and Michalek return they will have an extremely solid top-four along with Alex Pientrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester.
Arizona has been one of the busiest teams in the NHL in the weeks and months leading up to the deadline, having now traded Michalek, Devan Dubnyk, Antoine Vermette and Keith Yandle.
Letunov is the key to this latest deal for Arizona. The No. 52 overall pick in the 2014 draft, Letunov is currently playing for the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL where he has 53 points in 47 games.
