I think he’d be the perfect acquisition for Arizona. He was linemates with Schmaltz and Dvorak way back in the day in Chicago and they’re good friends. After his next signing bonus is paid, he’ll have an annual salary way, way lower than his cap-hit (which is always a huge bonus for AZ). He has also got that W/C optionality that John Chayka loves so much. He’s an advanced stats darling, which is again right up Chayka’s alley.
The Coyotes are in desperate need of offense and are in a position to ignore some other issues. He’s a RHS, which the Coyotes need. He’s in the right age group.
Trade couldn’t happen until after the next signing bonus payment.
I’d be willing to start the deal with an unprotected 1st round pick in the next draft. Rumors were Leafs were really high on POJ and might have taken him if Liljegren didn’t fall. He’d be another option.
Christian Fischer has upside, fell out of favor with Tocchet toward the end of the season. Was a healthy scratch, even. Could be a sweetener to either POJ or the ‘20 1st. Nick Merkley is a former 1st who could be an alternative to Fischer in such a deal.
Maybe one of Capobianco or Dineen or Westerlund, too?
I don’t know. I’m not sure what the fit is. I could see a deal potentially sometime in July, though.