ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes acquire C Nathan Smith, contract of Bryan Little from Jets

Mar 21, 2022, 9:15 AM | Updated: 9:21 am

Nathan Smith #13 of Team United States in action during the Men's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Grou...

Nathan Smith #13 of Team United States in action during the Men's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Group A match between Team United States and Team Germany on Day 9 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on February 13, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Arizona Coyotes have acquired center Nathan Smith and the contract of forward Bryan Little from the Winnipeg Jets for a 2022 fourth-round pick.

Smith, 23, is wrapping up his junior year at Minnesota State. Through 39 games, he’s scored 18 goals and added 31 assists for 49 points. In the 2022 Winter Olympics, Smith recorded a goal and an assist for two points over four games.

“We are excited to acquire Nate,” Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong said in press release. “He is a very skilled two-way center who is relentless and competes hard every night. We are very happy to acquire his rights and look forward to him joining the Coyotes organization.”

Smith originally entered the league as a third-rounder in the 2018 NHL Draft.

Little hasn’t played since November 2019 after he was struck in the head by a shot attempt. The injury happened just seven games into the regular season and came after he had sustained a concussion in the preseason.

This past February, Little underwent surgery to repair a perforated eardrum and was ruled out for this season. His contract runs through 2023-24.

Little, 34, has played 13 seasons in the NHL. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the first round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and moved with the team when it relocated to Winnipeg and became the Jets.

The Coyotes have remained busy ahead of Monday’s 12 p.m. trade deadline.

On Sunday, Arizona traded veteran goaltender Scott Wedgewood to the Dallas Stars for a conditional fourth-round pick. The Coyotes also acquired center Jack McBain from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2022 second-rounder.

Arizona is off Monday before returning to action Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken.

Arizona Coyotes

NHL Global Series - Arizona Coyotes v Los Angeles Kings...

Arizona Sports

Coyotes conclude Australia series with Kings, Josh Doan scores hat trick in split-squad action

Josh Doan -- son of Shane Doan -- scored a hat trick for the Coyotes against the St. Louis Blues in preseason action.

1 day ago

Logan Cooley, #3 pick by the Arizona Coyotes, poses for a portrait during the 2022 Upper Deck NHL D...

Arizona Sports

Cooley scores spin-o-rama goal as Coyotes beat Kings in first NHL preseason game in Australia

Coyotes rookie Logan Cooley scored a nifty, highlight-reel goal and Arizona beat the Los Angeles Kings, 5-3, in the NHL's first preseason game played in the Southern Hemisphere.

2 days ago

The Arizona Coyotes beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz., on Dec. 29, ...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Coyotes extend partnership with Arizona Sports

The Arizona Coyotes have announced a one-year partnership extension with Bonneville Phoenix to continue broadcasting the team's games.

4 days ago

Jan Jenik...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Coyotes sign forward Jan Jenik to 2-way contract

The Arizona Coyotes announced Wednesday that they signed forward Jan Jenik to a one-year, two-way contract.

5 days ago

Logan Cooley walks toward the stage after being selected third overall by the Arizona Coyotes durin...

Aaron Schmidt

Logan Cooley wants to ‘thrive in NHL,’ make impact with Coyotes

Rookie sensation Logan Cooley is excited to not only make an impact with the Arizona Coyotes, but the NHL too.

6 days ago

General manager Bill Armstrong of the Arizona Coyotes during Round One of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL D...

Aaron Schmidt

New Coyotes signings ready to make impact

Under GM Bill Armstrong, the Arizona Coyotes have been in a slow rebuild. However, this offseason's signings could make a noticeable impact.

9 days ago

Coyotes acquire C Nathan Smith, contract of Bryan Little from Jets