There’s a tantalizing trade rumor making the rounds that
will pique Coyotes fans’ interest.
If Pittsburgh can’t get center Jordan Staal signed to a contract extension this
offseason, he might be on the blocks. The reasoning is this: Staal will be an
unrestricted free agent after next season, so the Penguins might want to get
something for a valuable asset.
The Coyotes are one of several teams said to be interested. General manager Don
Maloney did not return a message left Wednesday. One scenario has Phoenix
dealing defenseman Keith Yandle, a second-round pick this year and a
third-round pick next season for Staal.
That deal makes sense on a lot of fronts. Each team has a surplus at the
position they’d be dealing. The Coyotes have been stockpiling defenseman in
their system for several years, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson appears ready to take
a giant leap forward. Pittsburgh already has centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni
Malkin to go along with Staal — a collection that Maloney recently called “an
embarrassment of riches.”
Both teams also have glaring needs that this deal would address. The Coyotes
have needed a top-flight center at least since Jeremy Roenick left — arguably
for their entire Valley existence. The Penguins already have forward depth, and
they shored up their backup goaltending spot by signing Tomas Vokoun, who
should push underachieving Marc-Andre Fleury.
There are problems with this rumor as well. What if Pittsburgh wants more than
the aforementioned assets? What if other Staal suitors like Buffalo and
Carolina drive the price higher? Does Yandle’s puck-moving and puck-possession
game adequately address the Penguins’ defensive shortcomings, or is his
defensive zone play a concern?
Equally important: Can the Coyotes finalize their sale by the time free agency
opens on July 1 so they have the freedom to make deals and can negotiate with
an air of stability? Will new owner Greg Jamison be willing to pony up a
long-term contract for a young (23) and talented center? Will Staal agree to
sign that contract or will he want to test the waters after one season,
creating the possibility of losing a defenseman who is signed for four more
years for a rent-a-center?
With Los Angeles set to sweep the New Jersey Devils and claim the Stanley Cup,
hockey’s silly season has begun. Get ready for a wave of intriguing rumors,
most of which will never achieve reality.
