Sanctions on Arizona Coyotes make them prime potential trade target for NY Rangers

The Arizona Coyotes are in a bit of a pickle. They have a precarious cap situation, and now with the recent sanctions and other trades are without 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks this year and 1st and 3rd round picks next year. If Taylor Hall re-signs, they lose their 2021 2nd as well. They are without a GM, as John Chayka is no longer with the team. The Coyotes are a team the NY Rangers could exploit in trades.

At a high level, the Yotes have a few players of interest. They have some young talent locked into long-term deals that, if the players reach potential, could be steals. The problem is that most of these guys come with a major ‘if’.

Nick Schmaltz

Nick Schmaltz has six years left on his deal at a $5.85 million cap hit. Schmaltz was part of the package acquired for Dylan Strome in 2018 with the Blackhawks. The Yotes 2C put up 11-34-45 last season. The problem is, his play without the puck leaves a lot to be desired. He’s not a play driver, and he’s not overly good defensively.

Schmaltz would be a big gamble with that cap hit. Given that he’s not a big play driver, he’s probably not the answer either. However he is only 24 years old. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely – but given where the Rangers are, it might be best to pass.

Christian Dvorak

Christian Dvorak is the prize from the Coyotes that the Rangers can feasibly get. Dvorak, also 24, has five years left on his deal at $4.45 million, so much more affordable. Dvorak put up 18-20-38 last season, so his production is at least comparable to Schmaltz’s.

The difference between Dvorak and Schmaltz is that Dvorak drives play and is good in all three zones. If the Rangers are looking to get a cost-effective middle-six center, Dvorak is the clear choice here. The question is cost, which is now all based on how new management views some players.

If Dvorak is available, he might be the best option out there.

Jakob Chychrun

The other prize from Arizona is Jakob Chychrun. Already a  top LD at 22 years old, Chychrun would be an instant upgrade on any LD on the Rangers roster. He too has five years left on his deal at a $4.6 million cap hit. So he’s also on a team friendly contract.

Chychrun put up 12-14-26 last season while playing beyond Oliver Ekman-Larsson, an impressive feat. The problem is cost. Even more than Dvorak, no one is questioning how good Chychrun is. Chychrun will likely cost more than you are ready to pay.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

OEL is also a 1LD. He’s a known entity and would also be an instant upgrade on any LD on the Rangers roster. The problem with OEL isn’t what he does on the ice, as he’s a complete player. The problem is the contract and the age.

OEL is already 29 years old, which on the surface isn’t an issue. But he has another seven years on his deal at a whopping $8.25 million cap hit. If that contract doesn’t say avoid, I don’t know what else does. Any acquiring team would have his ages 29-35 seasons. If a team is looking to win now, they might take a swing. But even at 50% retained ($4.125 million), it’s a huge risk. I don’t see the Rangers and Coyotes matching up on a trade here.