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Arizona Coyotes trade veteran defenseman Zbynek Michalek to the St. Louis Blues

By Vinnie Criscenzo

Nov 14, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek (4) awaits the face off against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Arizona Coyotes won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek (4) awaits the face off against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Arizona Coyotes won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Coyotes have traded defenseman Zbynek Michalek to the St. Louis Blues for prospect Maxim Letunov and a conditional 2015 third-round pick.

The Arizona Coyotes continue to trade away their veteran pieces as they start their team rebuild.

Monday, the Coyotes have traded veteran defenseman Zbynek Michalek to the St. Louis Blues for forward prospect Maxim Letunov and a conditional 2015 third-round pick. The Coyotes also will retain 50% of Michalek’s salary.

In 53 games this season with the Coyotes, Michalek has registered 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points. However, it’s not Michalek’s offense that makes him an attractive piece for the Blues. Michalek is a decent minus-6 on a less than stellar Coyotes team that, in comparison, saw ex-teammate and now New York Ranger Keith Yandle a minus-32. He is also near the top of the league table with 130 blocked shots. He will bring a lot of depth to an already deep St. Louis Blues defensive core that already has the likes of Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk, Jay Bouwmeester and Barret Jackman.

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In return, the Coyotes add a couple more pieces to start building for the future. The receive St. Louis’ third-round pick for this year’s draft, along with forward prospect Maxim Letunov. Letunov was a second-round draft pick (52nd overall) by the Blues in last year’s draft who currently plays for Youngstown in the USHL. The 6’3″, 168-pound Russian born center has 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points in 45 games with Youngstown so far this season.

Coyotes general manager Don Maloney is pleased with what he got in return for Michalek.

"Maxim is a big, skilled center with excellent upside. He will play at Boston University next season who do a great job developing players. We are excited to have him join our organization."

The Coyotes were also very active on the waiver wire today, picking up forwards Tye McGinn from the San Jose Sharks and Craig Cunningham from the Boston Bruins. Arizona seems to be picking up a couple players to fill the roster spots that are being left open with all the players being traded out of Arizona.

H/T Arizona Coyotes, Pierre LeBrun

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