The Colorado Avalanche have traded forward Carl Soderberg to the Arizona Coyotes for defenseman Kevin Connauton and a 2020 3rd round pick.
The 33-year old Soderberg was drafted 49th overall in the 2nd round of the 2004 draft by the St. Louis Blues. He carries a $4.75 million cap hit for one more season.
The 29-year old Connauton was drafted 83rd overall in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft by the Vancouver Canucks. He carries a $1.375 million cap for another season.
Mike Chambers: Avalanche GM Joe Sakic: “This trade allows some of our young centermen to have a chance to play a more prominent role on our team while adding an experienced defenseman to our roster”
Craig Morgan: Coyotes GM John Chayka: “Carl is a versatile, 200-foot player who has a history of being productive and playing tough minutes. He will be a stabilizer in our lineup and gives our coaching staff lots of flexibility.”
After trading Soderberg to Arizona for Connauton & a 3rd RD pick, the Colorado #Avalanches now have $38,900,239 in projected cap space, with a roster of 13 (5F/7D/1G)
Notable Unsigned RFA’s:
F Mikko Rantanen
F Alex Kerfoot
F J.T. Compher
D Nikita Zadorovhttps://t.co/tAnIavJX4m pic.twitter.com/W3bjpGir67— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 25, 2019
Thoughts from the media
Mike Chambers: “Helps offset major off-season surgery to Johnson (shoulder) and Cole (both hips) who might not be ready for camp. Cannauton is veteran D who can step into that role. And #Avs shave more than $3M”
Craig Morgan: “Carl Soderberg will turn 34 on Wednesday. He has one year left on his contract at an AAV of $4.75M. He had 23 goals and 49 points last season for Colorado. He’s also durable; has missed just 7 games combined over the past 5 seasons.”
Greg Wyshynski: “Joe selling high on Soderberg, who has one year left. And that $4.75 million cap hit vs. $4 million actual salary is rather appealing to the Coyotes, one assumes.”
Ryan Clark: “Moving Carl Soderberg means the #Avs have shed an extra $4.75 million in cap space which leaves them with even more flexibility to be a major player ahead of July 1.”
AJ Haefele: “Avs get 2020 3rd rounder and Kevin Connauton for Carl Soderberg. Deal is peculiar on the surface.”
Soderberg’s offensive numbers from that disaster Avs season are something…. pic.twitter.com/N4qW5l8jtl
— Corey Sznajder (@ShutdownLine) June 25, 2019
Carl Soderberg
Kevin Connauton