The Phoenix Coyotes acquired defenseman Rostislav Klesla and prospect Dane Byer from the Columbus Blue Jackets prior to Monday's NHL trading deadling in exchange for forward Scottie Upshall and defenseman Sami Leipisto.
The 28-year-old Klesla has struggled with injuries the past three seasons. He has missed the last month with a knee injury and has played in 45 games this year after playing in just 26 games last season and 34 the previous year. He has three goals, seven assists and 26 penalty minutes this season.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Czech native was originally the fourth overall pick of the 2000 NHL draft and has 41 goals, 92 assists and 508 penalty minutes over parts of eight NHL seasons, all with Columbus. Prior to the season, Klesla signed a four-year deal that pays him $2.975 million per season.
Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said last week that he would be seeking additional defensive help due to the loss of Ed Jovanovski, who might not return this season after undergoing surgery for a broken orbital bone.
The big loss for Phoenix comes in the form of Upshall, who is tied for the team lead with 16 goals and has 10 assists. The 27-year-old came over from the Flyers midway through the 2008-09 season and has posted 42 goals and 72 assists in his two-plus seasons with the Coyotes.
Lepisto, 26, is fifth among Coyotes defensemen in scoring (four goals, seven assists) and ice time this season. This was his second season in Phoenix after signing as a free agent prior to the 2009-10 season.
Byers, a 25-year-old left wing, was a second-round pick (48th overall) in the 2004 draft and has spent the season in the AHL, posting 12 goals, 22 assists and 120 penalty minutes in 64 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack/Connecticut Whale and the Springfield Falcons. Byers has played in six career NHL games, all coming last season with the New York Rangers. He had one goal and 31 penalty minutes.
