We have another trade. The Coyotes, who earlier tonight cashed in some of their draft capital to move up to the 11th overall pick, are making another move. They have acquired forward Zack Kassian, the 29th overall pick, a 2025 second-rounder, and a 2024 third-rounder from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for pick 32. To put it more simply, the Oilers are moving down two spots and trading two future mid-round picks in order to clear Zack Kassian’s contract off their books.
The Oilers, desperate to improve their team after an encouraging run to the Western Conference Final, want to be active this offseason in making improvements to their roster. They have been interested in a variety of goalies, but with cap space at an absolute premium, they have now decided they’ll need some more wiggle room in order to get a deal done. Trading Kassian’s cap hit gives GM Ken Holland more room to work with as he chases free agent goalies, such as Jack Campbell, or other established players in free agency.
For the Coyotes, this move adds a few more picks to GM Bill Armstrong’s stockpile. The Coyotes add two decently valuable picks as well as the right to move up a few spots in tonight’s draft in exchange for taking on Kassian, who had six goals and 19 points in 58 games this year. If Kassian can perform well in Arizona, it’s possible that the Coyotes will have the option to retain salary on his deal in order to flip him to another club. For now, though, the main priority will be the draft picks acquired in the deal.
We knew going into this summer that teams such as Chicago and Arizona would be active in weaponizing their cap space in order to acquire future assets. Now, on the night of the draft, both teams have made moves to do exactly that.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was first on the details.
Whoa. The journey continues for Zachary albeit not with any talent the likes of McD, Drai, RNH down the middle
Two picks and a player to…move down three spots.
Arizona fleeced em. Never change, Kenneth.
Tyson Barrie, Zach Hyman, Cody Ceci and if they get Campbell that will be four ex leafs they got on the team ! They might win a cup soon
You could have dumped more money with that much sweetener.
I agree but the market isn’t there for their cash dumps. You gotta take it on the chin sometimes when you’re cap strapped. If they wanted az to take more $$ they probably had to give more picks.
Wow. What a deal for Arizona. Literally zero risk and all reward there. Kassian won’t be a cap issue for them by the time they are ready to compete again.
Kassian, unfortunately, is a dying breed. Watched him beat the crap outta my kings during the playoffs, and wished he was on the other side.