Arizona Coyotes acquire Joe Whitney from the Colorado Avalanche

The Arizona Coyotes have acquired forward Joe Whitney from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Brendan Ranford, according to the San Antonio Rampage, Colorado’s American Hockey League affiliate.

Whitney, a native of Reading, Massachusetts (and of no relation to Ray Whitney), has 11 goals and 17 assists in 55 games with the Rampage this season. He also made five appearances with the New Jersey Devils spread over two seasons from 2013-15, with one goal in the process.

Ranford arrived to the Coyotes organization exactly one month ago as part of a trade with the Dallas Stars organization, but in ten games with the Tucson Roadrunners has not recorded a single point.

The move reflects the continuing effort by the Coyotes to help the Roadrunners push for the Calder Cup Playoffs, while not giving up key components in Arizona’s long-term rebuild plan.

We wish Ranford the best in San Antonio and Whitney the best in Tucson and we offer this commiseration on behalf of our fearless managing editor.