Even with Sean O'Donnell signed, the Coyotes wanted another veteran defenseman on the roster to add depth and competition for ice time keeping all the blueliners sharp and hungry.
Speculation and rumors had the Coyotes interested in signing their former captain and fan favorite Teppo Numminen, who had become a free agent this summer.
Barnett decided to throw a monkey wrench into the Western Conference.
Thursday, Barnett dealt fan favorite and hard working Daymond Langkow to the Calgary Flames. The Coyotes receive physical defenseman Denis Gauthier along with the young and speedy winger Oleg Saprykin.
Petr Nedved, without whom the deal would never have been completed, was also signed as a free agent to replace Langkow as a scoring center.
It appears it may have started with Barnett hearing that defenseman Denis Gauthier of the Western Conference Champions was available. When Barnett and Flames GM Darryl Sutter began the talks involving Gauthier, Sutter insisted on including Daymond Langkow.
Barnett was not going to deal the Coyotes best two-way center for a 3rd pair defenseman, so he insisted the deal must include Saprykin.
While agreed upon, the deal was not yet complete.
Barnett was not about to trade away such an important piece of the Coyotes roster without having a replacement already secured. This is where the Coyotes swoop in and signed Nedved, making the deal with Calgary possible.
After yet another free agent signing, fans might be wondering about the Coyotes' payroll.
True, Nedved's contract will increase the total, but Gauthier and Saprykin's combined salary is $150,000 less than Langkow's.
The Coyotes were going to spend big money on a free agent defenseman, even if that was Numminen.
Two other teams, the Nashville Predators being the front-runners, were pursuing Numminen. The only hold back is The Repo Man's desire for at least a 2-year contract.
The Coyotes' money is better spent on a younger, healthier player who improves the offense and coupling the signing with a trade that addresses the defensive concerns with Saprykin as an added bonus.
Phoenix fans love Daymond Langkow. He never gave less then his very best. Regardless of the score, standings or on-ice situation, Langkow worked hard and wanted to win. Fans and teammates alike will miss him. He was easily the best player involved in the trade, but is not as gifted offensively as Nedved.
Nedved, who struggled in the Eastern Conference with the New York Rangers but seemed to flourish after his trade to Edmonton late last season, is better suited for the Western Conference style of play. He's a little temperamental at times, but will improve the Coyotes 5-on-5 offense as well as their powerplay.
Gauthier is a physical defenseman, but he is not one to drop the gloves. He likes to check and at times – far too many times – will take undisciplined penalties. If he can control his penalties Gauthier will greatly improve the Coyotes' blueline and help to lower the astronomically atrocious 245 goals the team gave up last season.
Saprykin is the big question mark of this deal. At age 23, the speedy winger has yet to reach his prime. Like many young players, Saprykin has appeared to be lost during some NHL games, but if he can play on a consistent basis the way he played in Calgary's improbable Stanley Cup playoff run last season, the Coyotes may have found another Ladislav Nagy in waiting.
