2016 NHL Draft: Detroit Red Wings trade Pavel Datsyuk cap hit to Arizona Coyotes

The Detroit Red Wings have traded the cap hit of Pavel Datsyuk to the Arizona Coyotes during the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

After center Pavel Datsyuk announced that he would be going to the KHL and not play out the final year of his deal with the Detroit Red Wings, they immediately got started trying to trade his cap hit so that they could make some free agency moves. The Arizona Coyotes, on the other hand, had a ton of cap space and wanted to use it to acquire better assets. Both sides get what they want as the Red Wings have traded their first round pick of the 2016 NHL Draft, and Datsyuk’s cap hit for Arizona’s first round pick, Joe Vitale, and a second round pick.

Arizona used Detroit’s first round pick to select Jakob Chychrun, a defenseman. Detroit sure could have used Chychrun, but it’s worth it to be rid of Datsyuk’s cap hit for the 2016-17 season.

The more important part of this trade is wondering what the Red Wings are up to. They wouldn’t be trading his cap hit unless they have something in mind. Could they be pursuing David Backes in free agency? Is Steven Stamkos in play?

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