Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Darcy Kuemper One Of The Players Mentioned In Trade And UFA Talk

09/22/2020 at 6:32am EDT

from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic,

The ink is barely dry on the GM contract Bill Armstrong signed in Arizona and his phone undoubtedly has already exploded.

The word is out on the Coyotes needing to cut payroll, and of course, needing draft picks....

The 30-year-old is a popular target for teams looking to upgrade in goal. I mentioned Carolina last week but you can add Calgary among the other teams who have called the Coyotes on him. The Flames are doing their rounds looking at the whole goalie market. Which is not to say Calgary has closed the door on pending UFA Cam Talbot. In fact, both sides remain in contact and it’s not out of the question the Flames make him a contract offer.

But there are several teams who have Kuemper on their radar. He’s got two years left on his deal at a bargain $4.5 million AAV and he’s been one of the top goalies in the league the last few years.

While you hate to trade him if you’re Arizona, and perhaps Armstrong will choose not to do so, but there’s no better opportunity to get much-needed draft picks and/or prospects into the pipeline than putting up Kuemper for auction. I feel confident the Coyotes can recoup a first-round pick, albeit a low one, in a Kuemper deal, plus another asset or two.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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