ARIZONA COYOTES
Coyotes trade center Derek Stepan to Senators for 2nd-round pick
Arizona Coyotes center Derek Stepan (21) scores a goal against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry, top right, as Penguins center Alex Galchenyuk (18) looks on during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. The Penguins defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona Coyotes have traded center Derek Stepan to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2021 second-round pick, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.
The team later made the trade official.
“On behalf of the entire Coyotes organization, I would like to thank Derek for everything he did for the Coyotes the past three seasons,” said Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong in a release. “Derek is the consummate professional and a class act. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.”
Stepan, 30, has spent the last three seasons in Arizona. Last year, Stepan had 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points in 70 games.
In June of 2017, the Coyotes acquired Stepan and goaltender Antti Raanta from the New York Rangers in exchange for a first-round pick.
Stepan is entering the final season of his six-year, $39 million deal that the Rangers signed him to in the summer of 2015.
The Coyotes organization has new leadership. In June, it named Xavier A. Gutierrez president and CEO. Less than two months later, the Coyotes parted ways with general manager John Chayka, who was replaced by Armstrong.
Stepan was one of the first players Chayka traded for after he was hired in May of 2016.
