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Earlier today, the Phoenix Coyotes preseason countdown reached the number 22. In that article, it was discussed that the acquisition of Lee Stempniak, who wore the number 22, was one of the best trades in Coyotes history. This article will discuss four others.
On Nov. 18, 1999, the Florida Panthers traded goaltender Sean Burke and a 5th round pick in exchange for goaltender Mikhail Shtalenkov and a 4th round pick. Burke would go on to play 211 games with the Coyotes. Burke went 97-78-0-29 with a GAA of 2.39 and a save percentage of .919. Shtalenkov would only play 15 more games in the NHL.
On Aug. 26, 2005, the Coyotes acquired defenseman Zbynek Michalek from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Erik Westrum and defenseman Dustin Wood. Michalek played five seasons with the Coyotes before signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins. (The Coyotes recently re-acquired Michalek in a trade with Pittsburgh). During those five seasons, Michalek scored 113 points Michalek also lead the NHL in blocked shots during the 2008-2009 season. Westrum would go on to only play 10 more games in the NHL which was 10 more than Wood who would never make it to the NHL.
Radim Vrbata would be involved in two of the best trades the Coyotes have made. The first took place on Aug. 11, 2007. Vrbata was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Kevyn Adams. His first season with the Coyotes was the 2007-2008 season where he scored 27 goals and 56 points. Adams would only play 62 more games in the NHL and scored a total of six points. Vrbata then left for what he thought would be greener pastures in Tampa Bay. This would set up another great trade for the Coyotes. After deciding to leave the NHL to go back to the Czech Republic for a year, Vrbata wished to return for the 2009-2010 season. Because the Lightening had already filled his roster spot, Vrbata's agent was allowed to attempt to work out a trade. On July 21, 2009, Vrbata was traded back to Phoenix in exchange for forward Todd Fedoruk and defenseman David Hale. Vrbata has remained in Phoenix the past three seasons and has scored 78 goals 153 points. Fedoruk would only play 50 more NHL games scoring six points. Hale would go on to play 64 more NHL games and score nine points.
These were just some of the greatest trades in Coyotes history. Note that no trades from 2012 were included for consideration.