The Arizona Coyotes have acquired Carl Soderberg from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Kevin Connauton and a 2020 third-round pick. Coyotes’ GM John Chayka released a short statement on the acquisition:
Carl is a versatile, 200-foot player who has a history of being productive and playing tough minutes. He will be a stabilizer in our lineup and gives our coaching staff lots of flexibility.
Soderberg, 33, had an excellent bounce-back season in 2018-19, recording 23 goals and 49 points while playing in all 82 games. That kind of production is exactly what the Avalanche expected when they signed him to a five-year, $23.75MM deal in the summer of 2015 but after a good initial season in Colorado he had fallen off a cliff offensively. In fact, during the 2016-17 campaign the Swedish center only recorded 14 points in 80 games and many called for the Avalanche to get rid of him through one way or another. Their waiting has paid off, as his entire $4.75MM cap hit will now be transferred to Arizona while receiving a quality depth defenseman and pick in return.
In Arizona though, Soderberg will be a veteran addition to a club trying to get over the hump and qualify for the playoffs. His versatility down the middle will help take some pressure off the other offensively gifted players on the Coyotes and add to what has now become something of a strength for the club. Just a few years ago the Coyotes were trying everyone they could at the center position in hopes of finding a quality option, but now have Soderberg, Derek Stepan, Nick Schmaltz and Brad Richardson who can be penciled in with Christian Dvorak and Alex Galchenyuk also having experience in the middle.
For Colorado though, this move seems to indicate something bigger is on the horizon. GM Joe Sakic spoke at the end of the year about being more aggressive in free agency, and with nearly $40MM in cap room he can basically go after any player he wants. A good chunk of that money is owed to the team’s own restricted free agents—most notably star winger Mikko Rantanen—but there is more than enough to go around in free agency. In fact, the team might even be able to clear more cap space if they are actually still considering moving Tyson Barrie in his final year. With the addition of Connauton, the Avalanche have seven NHL defensemen under contract with Nikita Zadorov a restricted free agent and Bowen Byram pushing for a spot after being selected fourth overall.
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Coyotes make the playoffs in 2019-20. Mark my words
Doesn’t Colorado have a lot of cap room? Seems like a move that brings them a step back for no reason.
Yes the Avalanche have cap room. There are some RFA that need raises. I can only hope this move is to have more cap room to sign Parnarin or another big name UFA.
I really hope this means something big is coming. Seems silly for a team with no secondary scoring to dump a guy who at times, plays pretty damn well.
Wonder if Colorado is going after Joe Pavelski. Colorado has lots of cap room and Sakic has gone on record saying that they are ready and willing to bring in a big free agent.
No one cares about Arizona but the same question applies, why are they bringing in another center?
I still think a Kessel for Stepan deal makes sense for both sides. Near identical cap hits. Fits needs.
I see this as a promotion for JT compher. The plan looks to be shaping towards it taking soda’s spot for a cheaper price, and likely going hard after panarin, although they probably won’t get him. I think they end up with Nyquist and whoever else that can get on an offer sheet. The pavelski proposal is interesting, but it’s not like super Joe to add high priced old guys.
Look for the avs to retain some cap room so they can continue making moves at the deadline as well, should they be a drone contender at that time.
Not drone. Fringe*
That’s the only thing I can think of. On the surface level it makes no sense because we’re solid at defense. Maybe it means that we won’t pay Z. I’m hoping it means we’re clearing space for Parnarin. That makes the most sense.
But it’s not up to us. Panarin has his choice and I don’t see him choosing Colorado.
I think sakic is going to focus on the second tier ufas/rfas and retain cap space. It’s a smart move really.
Smart move by the Avs, selling high