The Colorado Avalanche have fired the first shot in the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline as they’ve traded for Arizona Coyotes forward Mikkel Boedker according to Craig Custance of ESPN.
The Coyotes will get veteran forward Alex Tanguay along with prospects Connor Bleackley and Kyle Wood. The latter two were selected in the 2014 NHL Draft.
Coyotes send Mikkel Boedker to Avs for vet Alex Tanguay and prospects Conner Bleackley (23rd overall pick in 2014), Kyle Wood (84th in 2014)
— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) February 29, 2016
Boedker has 13 goals and 26 assists in 62 games this season for Arizona, and was one of the more sought after players during this year’s deadline.
The 26-year-old Danish scorer carries a salary cap-hit of $3,750,000 and is a free agent at the end of the season. He may be a rental player in Colorado’s quest to return to the postseason after missing in 2014-15.
Tanguay’s contract is $3,500,000 and runs out at the end of this season. The 36-year-old left wing has four goals and 18 assists in 52 games this season for his longtime team.
Bleackley was drafted in the first round by Arizona, but has yet to sign his first contract. He is now with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League.
Wood was taken 84th in same 2014 draft and plays for the North Bay Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League.
The deal gives Colorado a rental player that could re-sign and is a solid scorer. The Avalanche sit two points ahead of the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
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