Coyotes reacquire Boyd Gordon in trade for Lauri Korpikoski
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Coyotes brought back an old favorite on Tuesday when they reacquired center Boyd Gordon from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for underperforming wing Lauri Korpikoski.
Gordon, 31, is expected to slide into a bottom-six center role similar to the one he filled when he played here for two seasons, including the team's run to the Western Conference final in 2011-12.
The Coyotes had every expectation of re-signing Gordon when he became a free agent after the 2012-13 season, but Edmonton gave him a three-year, $9 million deal that was above market, and the Coyotes could not match it.
"At that time, we just couldn't get to that type of level in a contract but we certainly have followed his game in Edmonton and I think he's the same player," general manager Don Maloney said. "He's competitive, defensive-minded, good on faceoffs -- all those details of the game that (coach) Dave Tippett likes and appreciates."
Gordon, who has one year left on his deal that will pay him $3 million, could play between Kyle Chipchura and Joe Vitale on a fourth line, Maloney said. Both of those wings also have the ability to play center but are probably better suited to the wings.
For Gordon, the return feels both familiar and comfortable because he earned Tippett's trust while he was here.
"I know what he expects from me and I think playing two seasons there maybe makes the transition easier than going to a different team and different coaching," said Gordon, who had 12 goals and 37 points in 123 games in Arizona. "Hopefully the transition is a little bit smoother."
With the Coyotes trying to infuse more youth into their lineup, Gordon could be a valuable veteran presence in the locker room.
"They've got some good young players coming up; there's obviously a rebuild going on and it's a lot different team and different situation than when I came in there a couple years ago," Gordon said. "But I think my role is going to be the same."
Gordon had six goals and 13 points last season in 68 games. He finished 11th in the NHL with a faceoff percentage of 55.9. Gordon endeared himself to Coyotes fans while he was here because of his hard-nosed physical play and his unfailing willingness to block shots.
"We know what we're getting in Boyd," Maloney said. "We know the different areas of the game he touches."
It was no secret that Korpikoski struggled the past couple of seasons, so the Coyotes thought he might benefit from a change of scenery. He had six goals and 21 points last season and finished minus-27 in 69 games. After the season, Tippett was candid when assessing Korpikoski's play.
"He had a poor, poor season," Tippett said. "He had one even-strength goal. He needs to have a big offseason and he needs to come back and re-establish himself as a good NHL player."
Korpikoski is signed for two more seasons at a total value of $5.7 million.
The addition of Gordon was the second move the Coyotes have made in the past three days to address the NHL roster. They acquired defenseman Nicklas Grossman from Philadelphia two hours after the NHL draft had ended on Saturday.
There are numerous holes to fill, however as the NHL's free agency period opens Wednesday. The Coyotes would like to add a right-handed defenseman and may add a veteran for their bottom pairing as well.
They need a backup goalie and they need someone to fill the role of a top-line center, although Maloney acknowledged that is next to impossible to find, ether in free agency or via trades.
"There are different options for us. Obviously we'd prefer to fill a couple more spots in free agency just because of the acquisition costs," Maloney said.
"If you're talking front-line centers, we all know that's non-existent in this (fre-agent) class. The way we have survived around in the past especially with Tip and the way he handles our group is that the whole is going to have to be bigger than the sum of the parts.
"Even in the trade market, nobody is handing over No. 1 centers. We're really looking at top-nine forwards saying 'let's not get so focused on the No. 1 center. Let's just focus on players we think can come in in our top nine and give us the type of game but also the type of offense to be successful."
The Coyotes also announced on Tuesday that they had signed forward Craig Cunningham to a one-year, two-way contract. The Coyotes did not tender a qualifying offer to Cunningham, a restricted free agent, on Monday so they could sign him to cheaper deal.
Follow Craig Morgan on Twitter
