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Just a few minutes ago the Arizona Coyotes announced a completed deal that seems to be the reaction move for Brad Richardson. Below is the exact quote from the Arizona Coyotes press release about the move:
“Arizona Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka announced today that the Coyotes have acquired center Jordan Weal from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Jacob Graves and a 2019 sixth round draft choice.
The 26-year-old Weal has registered 3-6-9 and 16 penalty minutes (PIM) in 28 games with the Flyers this season.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound native of North Vancouver, BC has recorded 19-23-42 and 40 PIM in 134 career NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings and Flyers. Last season, Weal collected a career-high 8-13-21 and 12 PIM in 69 games with Philadelphia.
Weal was originally drafted by the Kings in the third round (70th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.”
Jordan Weal seems to be nothing more than a body at the center’s spot. The trade is not necessarily bad due to the low price for Weal. Catherine Silverman of the Athletic AZ was able to shed a little more light on Jacob Graves and what exactly the Philadelphia Flyers got:
Jacob Graves has only dressed for games at the ECHL level this year, skating out for 32 games for the Norfolk Admirals. For now, all of the team's G (Raanta, Kuemper, Pickard, Hill, Miska, and Madsen) remain with the team.
— Catherine Silverman (@catmsilverman) January 11, 2019
Silverman also noted how this affects all levels of the team:
Tucson currently has 11 non-roster FWDs on NHL deals and 8 non-roster D on NHL deals to go with any minor-league only players they have. Acquisition of Weal means ARI has another C and can give Merkley (RW) a little more time before giving him a look (but assume that's coming).
— Catherine Silverman (@catmsilverman) January 11, 2019
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out, and if the team can right the ship with all of these IR casualties.