Off the Ice: Trade wishlist for Phoenix Coyotes

When the Phoenix Coyotes announced that Kyle Chipchura was going on waivers on Wednesday, I assumed there would be a young center coming in, most likely Andy Miele.

I may be wrong.

The Coyotes said that Chipchura would not be moved down to AHL Portland, but would remain on the roster, tipping the hat towards a trade. With a few players available to be moved, I’m wondering who the Coyotes may be looking at.

Chipchura is obviously out. He was a good fit, but the Coyotes apparently don’t want his services any longer. I think Petteri Nokelainen and Kyle Turris could also be used as bait, but it’s more than likely going to be a young-blood out of Portland. If that happens, I would expect a D-man to go.

With that being said, the Coyotes need a wishlist. If they can’t find theirs, I wouldn’t mind seeing these players come in.

• Scottie Upshall (Florida Panthers)

Upshall was a great player in Phoenix. His high energy and scoring were massive to the offense. Despite an ACL tear that forced him to miss half of the 2009-2010 season, Upshall still posted 32 points. Before a 2011 trade, Upshall was the Coyotes’ leading scorer. It would be great to see him back in a Coyotes sweater.

• Dany Heatley (Minnesota Wild)

While Heatley is an unlikely acquisition, his sniper ability would be welcome on the man advantage. Minnesota offered him a sweet deal to leave San Jose after a 64-point season and he would be tough to pry out of their fingers, but the Wild may be tempted with a sizable center and a prospect.

• Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames)

Iginla may be getting up there in years, but his veteran play and leadership would be a great addition to Tippett’s Coyotes. It was rumored that he was on his way out last season and maybe the Coyotes could take advantage of that now. He’s a hit on cap space, but the Coyotes have plenty to spare and with the Flames rumored to be interest in the currently unsigned Kyle Turris, maybe a deal could be worked out.

• Zach Parise (New Jersey Devils)

With Parise becoming an unrestricted free agent next season, the Devils may look to cash in on the left winger now to get in a replacement. With a little shifting about, Turris again comes to mind as a possibility. Parise commands some major funds but, given his points potential, could be worth it.

• Cory Schneider (Vancouver Canucks)

The goalstopper angle hasn’t been addressed yet and I don’t have full confidence in Mike Smith. Schneider proved how big he could be after helping the Canucks reach the Stanley Cup final last year after Roberto Luongo choked a few times. Send Smith and Turris to our neighbors to the north, and the Coyotes could grab a solid — and young — goalie.

A wishlist is made up of just that, wishes, but if the Coyotes go for a trade, I hope they beg and plead with the NHL for the cash to bring in a top player rather than waste a trade — and everybody’s time — going for a third-liner.

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