The Coyotes have traded Dylan Strome and Brandon Perlini to the the Blackhawks for Nick Schmaltz.
There is a lot to unpack here, but the Coyotes - who are mostly built to win now, or at least compete now - have moved a player they won't use and a player that they won't miss in exchange for someone who is good now.
I like this trade in that it makes the Coyotes faster and better today. However, if they are better today, it's also because their coach wasn't giving Strome a fair shake.
This trade could blow up in their face so bad. Perlini could be a 30 goal scorer (I'd bet against that though) and Strome could be a 100 point player. (I wouldn't take that bet either to be honest, but he should be good).
But it could also work out. Schmaltz has first-line upside, and he's a centre who is fast. For a guy who barely shoots, 20 goals is impressive if he learns to fire the puck more.
Two players who aren't working here and who might not make it, in exchange for one guy whose already made it. It's logical. The only wildcard is how much of Strome's struggles are Tocchet related and how much are the fact that he's super-slow?
I like Strome, I believe the Blackhawks will eventually win this trade. But this is also a decent risk for the Coyotes and Nick Schmaltz can arguably be their best forward.
After the last two games, the Coyotes had to do something.
I'll be back with more thoughts after I digest this. + Chartz!!
The biggest question about this trade: Do Bowman and Chayka know other GMs exist?
Also, it's always dangerous to trade a guy who isn't producing but who has talent and is currently shooting around 3%.