Avs & Yotes Trade Problems

			2009/2010 NHL Statistics
To Phoenix	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	2010 Cap Hit	2011 Cap Hit
Wojtek Wolski	Forward	24	62	17	47	$2.8 million	RFA
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To Colorado	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	2010 Cap Hit	2011 Cap Hit
Peter Mueller	Forward	21	54	4	17	$1.7 million	RFA
Kevin Porter	Forward	24	4	0	0	$954,000	RFA

This is probably the biggest deal so far at the deadline, as there is a lot of youth being served straight across in this deal. The Avalanche have sent Wojtek Wolski to the Coyotes, where youth is already in abundance, for Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter.

On the surface, the Coyotes get an already experienced young winger in Wolski, who should be able to come into Phoenix and do really well. Having 17 goals already this season means that he still is working with good touch around the net and he has plenty of offensive upside. The change of scenery should be a good thing for Wolski.

This is also a big change of scenery deal for Peter Mueller, who seemed to be in desperate need for one earlier in the season. Mueller was the subject of many trade rumours this year and since the deal has finally come into fruition, there should be a lot of vindication for those rumours. Mueller's potential wasn't realized in Phoenix and its a big question as to whether or not it will be in Colorado as well. If it is, the Avalanche have themselves a solid player, but if not, the Avalanche gave away some good talent on this gamble.

Kevin Porter will go to a stacked Coyotes depth chart down the middle and will have to fight for his ice, much like he had to in Colorado. Porter has a shot at doing some good things for the Coyotes, but he'll have to jump a few guys to get there.

If Porter was to make the Avalanche off the hop, then the cap hit this year would be a wash, but neither team is in real danger of crawling over the cap this year.

Next season, all three players will need to negotiate new deals in the Summer, but that can play into the hands of the clubs, determining the value of each player and what they are going to bring to the club. I'm not seeing much for raises here quite yet, maybe a longer term deal for Wolski, but Mueller and Porter will have to earn some kudos before they get anything long-term.

The only Draft player in this deal is Wolski, who is a part of Dale B.'s 5th place team in the standings and there could very well be a revitalization in Wolski's game after this is all said and done. Dale is 21 points out of the money going into Wednesday's action, which is an awfully long way out, especially with most teams only having 20 games left or so. Look for Wolski to make a difference, but not quite enough by himself.

All three players are available on the Sheet, but I don't think any of them were at all popular.

This is the most interesting deal done today, to which I am caught up on deals done today. Trading problems in either direction does make for interesting hockey, especially when there is talent being dealt. This deal can go in any way, good or bad, for either team. It's going to be the 'wait and see' game to analyze chemistry and line combinations down the line. Tough one to call, but I think the Avs came out winners here.

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