Arizona Coyotes interested in Pavel Datsyuk

It's that time of year again where rumors are flying like pollen in the air.

First we heard that Arizona Coyotes' center Martin Hanzal was asked to gather a list of teams he may be interested in joining, and now rumors are flying that the Detroit Red Wings want out from under Pavel Datsyuk's enormous $7.5 million contract for next season.

They have this wild idea they think they are going to coax Steven Stamkos away from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Datsyuk too old?

Now, Datsyuk is one skilled hockey player, who in his heyday was exceptional. Well, his age is catching up to him, and he will be 38 soon. Many who follow the Coyotes will say, "well look at Shane Doan, he will be 40, and he had an outstanding season last year."

While the team seems to be in a youth movement, they still need experienced veterans to look up to and have as a mentor when necessary.

More from the Arizona Coyotes -->> Arizona Coyotes rumored to acquire rights to draft hometown prodigy Auston Matthews

What makes this rumor interesting, is there are a couple other players who could be available to the team at about the same salary level, with both players being much younger.

One can also imagine Pavel on the power play with Max Domi and Anthony Duclair, wouldn't that be special?

Another option

Jeff Carter #77 of the Los Angeles Kings scores a goal against Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks in the first period during Game Seven of the Western Conference Final in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center on June 1, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Like for instance, Jeff Carter of the salary cap plagued Los Angeles Kings. The 31-year-old forward is an deadeye shooter and scorer, and the Coyotes could always use that. His stats are pretty decent too: 111 goals, 105 assists in 295 games.

And if the goal of the Coyotes is to make the playoffs, having a guy like Carter on your playoff roster can't hurt. With 26 goals, 27 assists in 69 playoff games, he's money in the bank. Speaking of bank...his $7 million salary is comparable to Datsyuk's, but the total contract is for $25.5 million for the next five years. Still reasonable, but quite a commitment. Wonder if Chayka has tried on his commitment hat yet.

Or even...

Jason Spezza #90 of the Dallas Stars controls the pucks against Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period of a preseason game at American Airlines Center on September 30, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Another player who comes to mind is Jason Speeza of the Dallas Stars. He commands a $7.5 million salary for the next three seasons, but is well worth it. (Hey, it's NOT my money...) He is just 31, and had 33 goals, 30 assists last season. The Stars are about $1.5 million below the cap, and must decide how to make room on the balance sheet for UFA's Valeri Nichushkin and Kris Russell.

To go back in Coyotes' history, how long do you think it has been since the team had a player who scored 33 goals? It was back in the successful 2011-12 season when Radim Vrbata netted 35 goals to lead the team.

When you talk about any of the three talented players mentioned above, the Coyotes would be an improved team, no question about it.

But, who would they need to give up to make such a trade happen? We all know that Hanzal is being shopped, and many teams are interested in the big guy. That means you need to come up with another $3.5-4 million in other player's salary to make a trade fly.

Smitty a Red Wing? Unlikely.

Or, if the Yotes would like to unload Mike Smith's $17.5 million contract (we can dream can't we?) over the next four years they could offer him up. But, then again the Red Wings seem to want to unload goalie Jimmy Howard, and Smith is two years older than Howard.

It would not make any sense to add a soon to be 38-year-old player and trade away some prospects, even though the Coyotes are overstocked in them.

What has to make many Coyotes' fans scratch their heads is -- when will new GM John Chayka start signing some players? I mean there are only 19 days left before the signing deadline, and unless a flurry of player movement activity takes place soon, it will get very stressful.

Let's play GM

If I we were to wake up in John Chayka's shoes (and that would make me a lot younger, and richer) here's who the Coyotes would sign and who they should avoid.