The Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes are already hard at work on their 2018-19 rosters.
The Coyotes got checking line center Marcus Kruger and a third-pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, with Carolina retaining 10 percent of Kruger’s $3.1 million salary. The Hurricanes gained grinding winger Jordan Martinook and a fourth-round pick.
That trade occurred after the Hurricanes hired Rick Dudley as their new vice president of hockey operations. But the deal came before the Hurricanes hired a new general manager or coach.
HURRICANES WANT TO TOUGHEN UP
Don Waddell, president of the Hurricanes’ parent company, pulled the trigger on the Martinook deal — which is the first step in the team’s effort to add more grit and upgrade its talent base.
Martinook, 25, scored six goals and earned nine assists in 81 games for Arizona last season. He was a second-round pick in the 2012 draft and he has produced 65 points in 247 NHL games.
“Jordan is a physical player who kills penalties,” Waddell said in a new release. “This gives us some options with our forward group as we head toward the next season.”
The Hurricanes were also glad to unload most of Kruger’s remaining contract. He ended up in the AHL last season after clearing waivers.
COYOTES GAIN STANLEY CUP PEDIGREE
The Coyotes had ample salary cap space, so could take on most of Kruger’s salary. They improved their draft position with this trade and gained a player who filled a valuable supporting cast role on two Cup-winning Blackhawks teams.
Kruger, 27, had a goal and five assists in 48 games for Carolina last season and four goals and four assists in 19 games for Charlotte in the AHL. Kruger was a salary cap casualty in Chicago last summer; the Blackhawks sent him to Vegas which, in turn, traded him to Carolina.
The Coyotes are hoping for a bounce-back season from Kruger, who is recovering from hernia surgery.
“We are very pleased to add Marcus to the Coyotes,” general manager John Chayka said in a news release. “Marcus is a solid, two-way center who is very responsible defensively and has good speed and skill. He’s an excellent penalty-killer and will provide us with good depth at the center ice position.”
