Mikkel Boedker is being shopped around the NHL, and his asking price may be too steep. Add in the fact that he has just one goal since December 27, 2015 and you can see why he may be packing soon to play on another team. One goal in the last 25 games will not increase the likelihood of him reaching his salary demands.
The Arizona Coyotes are attempting to work with him to resolve the contract issue, but time is running out, and frankly Boedker's demand of $6 million a year for a multi-year deal may be stretching it a bit.
The Coyotes have reportedly offered him a $5 million a year contract for multiple years, only to be thwarted. For a player who has never scored more than 20 goals in a season, that is hard to swallow. GM Don Maloney is not that naive and isn't willing to pay it.
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So Who's Interested In His Services?
It has been reported that the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins have some interest in Boedker. If he were sent to Chicago playing along the likes of Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane he may flourish to the level of his contract demands. It's not clear what Chicago would need to give up to acquire the "Great Dane." The thought of making the Blackhawks even more powerful is one many other teams are waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat worrying about.
Pittsburgh is barely in a wild-card spot, and could use the services of the swift forward. Again, what the crafty GM Don Maloney would get in return may fuel the outcome of a possible trade.
Boedker has scored in spurts, and is still third in scoring on the Coyotes roster, but if a deal can't be constructed soon, his statistics will be transferred over to a new address.
Can The Coyotes Afford to Lose Him?
Granted the Arizona Coyotes have some talent already on their roster. When you consider the speed and scoring ability of a Max Domi, or Anthony Duclair, losing Boedker is not that painful. The other speed they possess is in Tobias Rieder who has really blossomed this season. He has 11 goals, 23 assists already this year, and is fifth in team scoring.
So, yes the Coyotes could afford to lose Boedker, but they must get something of value in return.
Andrew Ladd of the Winnipeg Jets is in the same situation as Boedker. His five year, $22 million contract expires at the end of the season as well. He has a $4.4 million cap hit, and that isn't that much higher than Boedker's $3.75 million one-year deal. Both teams have plenty of cap space to work a deal.
Boedker to Winnipeg for Ladd?
Their numbers are similar with Ladd accumulating 17 goals and 17 assists. He also has thrown in seven power play goals, and has a decent 11.9 shooting percentage, with a +/- of -10. Compare that to Boedker's 13 goals, 25 assists. He has only three power play goals, even though he was promoted to play the point on the man advantage situations. His shooting percentage is an average 9.3 percent, and his +/- is a horrible -27. When a player that spends so much time on the power play gets scored against so often, is cause for concern.
Final Analysis
Unless a miracle deal gets worked out in the next five days, Boedker will wish his unreasonable salary demands were reconsidered. He seems to be a streaky player who disappears at times, only to erupt for a couple of hat tricks at other times.
If this writer was GM Don Maloney, I'd be on the phone seeing what kind of offers he can get for Boedker. Actually, he probably already is in that mode. Maloney is very skilled at getting good returns in trades, and he should receive a return which will suit the team's needs. With all the young prospects already in their system, it would be wise to acquire a veteran player to replace Boedker's statistics.
That player could very well be Andrew Ladd.
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