Coyotes trade Connauton, 3rd round pick for Soderberg

As reported by Craig Morgan this morning, the Arizona Coyotes have traded defenseman Kevin Connauton and a 3rd round pick in 2020 for Colorado Avalanche forward Carl Soderberg.

Craig Morgan had speculated a few days prior that the Coyotes’ logjam on defense may be eased up soon, reporting that Connauton was the odd-man out. The deal will send him and the final year of his $1.375M cap hit for another deal that will expire at the end of next season. Carl Soderberg’s final year carries a cap hit of $4.75M in which he is paid $4M.

Last season, Soderberg had a career year with the Avalanche, notching 23 goals while playing the entire 82 games. However, he failed to find the net in 12 playoff games with the Avs, who were eliminated in the second round by the San Jose Sharks.

In addition to adding the streaky scorer, whose point totals have fluctuated between 14 points and 51 points over the past 6 seasons, the Coyotes also get a big body in the 6’3” 210lb Soderberg. At 33, he has only missed 16 games over that same span, and will hopefully bring some of that luck and toughness to a Coyotes roster that has been riddled with injuries the past few seasons. He has also been noted as the team’s best defensive forward, according to Athletic writer Ryan Clark, which should fit in well with Tocchet’s high-pressure forechecking system.

We are still awaiting information on whether Soderstrom will be an ample replacement for Connauton on Paul Bissonnette’s Bachelor Report.