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Coyotes Could Be Key to Unlock Huge Trade Deadline Deals

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With over four weeks remaining until the Mar 3 deadline, the NHL Trade Market is in a standstill. Teams are still trying to figure out their plans. Some teams don’t even know if they’re a true buyer or seller yet (see New York Islanders, Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators among others.)


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But the lack of trades goes beyond teams making their final plans. It turns out most teams would love to make some trades to improve themselves. In most cases, these teams are simply unable to do what they want to do. The salary cap has them stuck between a rock and a hard place.


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Over half of the league is using LTIR dollars. Although these teams are cap compliant, they are spending over the $82.5 million limit in order to properly operate. Any trades they make must shed salary. With LTIR being involved in the majority of situations, it’s more difficult than ever to complete a deal.

Enter the Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes just wrapped up their schedule leading up to the All-Star Game. Their 2-1 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks put them at 38 points. Their 29th place standing has them squarely in the conversation for Connor Bedard, something that was always a goal from the beginning of the season. Our Haynes Evans did a nice job recapping that their losing is ultimately winning.

Related: Coyotes Are Winning the Race for Connor Bedard by Losing

While the Coyotes’ season has gone as expected, it turns out they could be one of the most important players at this entire trade deadline. One look at their overall situation shows us why.

While many teams are pinching for pennies, the Coyotes have over $18.2 million in projected cap space overall and over $80 in deadline cap space available to them when factoring in prorated amounts.

Not only are the Coyotes open for business, they will be the key in unlocking the stuck trade market. So you are looking for some cap space, eh? GM Bill Armstrong and the Coyotes have just what you’re looking for.

Bill Armstrong Arizona Coyotes GM
Bill Armstrong and the Coyotes are ready to unlock the NHL Trade Market. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The Arizona Trade Brokers

As the salary cap continues to have a more profound impact in the way business is handled today, the demand for third-party trade brokers has only grown. Those teams who broker deals are set to enjoy the benefits of having cap flexibility on their side.

Although the Buffalo Sabres are in the same situation from a cap…

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