Vermette Headed to Phoenix

It's been a while since I did my last post. Actually, it's been almost a full month, but we're back into the swing of things as the trading deadline heats up but one team has already got a fighting chance to stay in the playoffs thanks to a new acquisition.

The Phoenix Coyotes have acquired Antoine Vermette from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for several draft picks as well as minor league goalie Curtis McElhinney, whom I didn't know was on the Blue Jackets. But that's off the story for the moment.

"We are extremely pleased to acquire Antoine," Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said to the media. "He is a smart, skilled, two-way center who will be a great addition to our lineup."

If the Coyotes make the playoffs, the conditional fifth-round pick they gave away will become a fourth-round pick. This comes in the wake of the stories that are buzzing around the Blue Jackets that captain Rick Nash and center Jeff Center would be traded and that they were looking for potential buyers. Instead, the Jackets dealt away Vermette.

Anticipation of more players leaving Columbus? Absolutely. The Blue Jackets have the worst record in the NHL and they are looking for ways to build their team again. But this hasn't happened since they went to the playoffs a few years ago. Steve Mason has been erratic in goal and the trade for Curtis McElhinney might signal that backup goalie Curtis Sanford is indeed out, who becomes a free agent this summer.

The Coyotes are getting the best deal out of this because Vermette has proven himself as a valuable player to any club. Unfortunately, his production was down this season and he was looking for a way to build it up again. Well, now that the Coyotes are streaking right now and with the addition of a new player, it sounds as if they're right on target to make the playoffs yet again and he's on the right target to prove he's another valuable player to a team.

What will happen in Phoenix? Vermette brings luck? Will it help the Blue Jackets survive and maybe win a few games before the entire season's over? The rest of the season will have our answers for us. As far as I know, Phoenix is on that right track to become a playoff contender yet again. And for the Blue Jackets, well, it's time for another rebuild.