Ice Bites: Grading Phoenix Coyotes trade for Martin Erat

Mar 6, 2014, 7:39 PM | Updated: 7:40 pm

The National Hockey League trade window has come to a close and, after all the dust settled, the Phoenix Coyotes were up a winger, a pick and a prospect and down three prospects and a veteran defenseman.

After it was all said and done, every hockey pundit took to the Internet to grade the trades, so why would I do anything different? Except I give the trade for former Washington Capitals winger Martin Erat and the trade window two different scores.

The trade for Erat was good, not great. Most importantly, it improved a bad situation. I can change my grade at any time (hooray for instant editing!), but until he starts putting up some points, I have my reservations.

Also, was I the only one shocked the Coyotes didn’t make another move? It turns out they had a reason — a good one — for not spending.

Vancouver Canucks' Ryan Kesler, far left, celebrates his goal against the Phoenix Coyotes with teammates Dan Hamhuis (2), Daniel Sedin (22), of Sweden, and Ryan Kesler during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Vancouver Canucks' Alex Burrows (14) watches teammate Ryan Kesler's shot go in for a goal as it gets past Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith, as Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23), of Sweden, and Zbynek Michalek (4), of the Czech Republic, defend during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith (41) makes as save on a shot by Vancouver Canucks' Alex Burrows (14) as Coyotes' Rostislav Klesla (16), of the Czech Republic, defends, while Coyotes' Martin Hanzal (11), of the Czech Republic, and Canucks' Chris Higgins, top right, both look on during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Coyotes' Rob Klinkhammer (36) tries to keep the puck away from Vancouver Canucks' Ryan Kesler (17) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Vancouver Canucks' Alex Burrows (14) looks on as Phoenix Coyotes' Radim Vrbata, of the Czech Republic, celebrates his goal with teammates Keith Yandle (3), Derek Morris (53) and Shane Doan (19) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Vancouver Canucks' Roberto Luongo makes a save on a shot by the Phoenix Coyotes during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Coyotes' David Moss, left, and Mike Ribeiro (63) celebrate a goal by teammate Shane Doan, as Vancouver Canucks' Roberto Luongo (1) kneels dejectedly on the ice during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith (41) makes a save on a shot by Vancouver Canucks' Ryan Kesler during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Canucks 3-2 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith (41) makes a save on a shot by Vancouver Canucks' Mike Santorelli (25) as Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson, of Sweden, defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Canucks 3-2 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Coyotes' Radim Vrbata (17), of the Czech Republic, checks Vancouver Canucks' Zack Kassian (9) into the boards as linesman Steve Miller (89) tries to get out of the way and Canucks' Dan Hamhuis (2) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Coyotes' Zbynek Michalek, of the Czech Republic, plays in his 600th career NHL hockey game during the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Coyotes' Antoine Vermette, left, scores against Vancouver Canucks' Roberto Luongo (1) during the shootout in an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Canucks 3-2 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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