The Coyotes got an early jump on what is sure to be a draft-day trade frenzy today when they sent prospect Maxim Letunov to the Sharks in exchange for their fourth round pick this weekend and an additional third round pick next year.
Letunov, 20, was a second round pick of the Blues in 2014 and was acquired by the Coyotes as part of the Zbynek Michalek trade two trade-deadlines ago. (At the time, Michalek was coming off an injury, so the Coyotes also included a bonus conditional third-round pick, but they never had to actually send it).
So, in effect, the Coyotes, who (inexplicably) re-signed Michalek the summer after trading him, end up with a 4th and a 3rd for renting Michalek out for two months.
As a bonus, the Coyotes recoup a better pick (4th instead of a 5th) than they sent to the Stars last week for the rights to Alex Goligoski.
While Letunov possesses a decent skill set, he's an offensive centre sitting behind Strome, Dvorak, MacInnis and Christian Fischer on the Coyotes' prospect depth chart, so it makes sense to shed the contract he'll need to sign and grab a couple of lottery tickets.
With no where to play him, this is a smart move by John Chayka, as late round draft picks are great currency and sometimes even get you a bonus star player. The Coyotes now have eight picks in the seven round draft this weekend, including two firsts and two seconds.
Also of note: The Coyotes will begin their season on October 15th against the Flyers, at home.
Thanks for reading.