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We were all waiting for a trade, and one happened. Probably not the big deal, but hey a warm body is a warm body. The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded defenseman Philip Samuelsson to the Phoenix Arizona Coyotes for forward Rob Klinkhammer. From the Coyotes:
Arizona Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have acquired defenseman Philip Samuelsson from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Rob Klinkhammer and a conditional fifth round draft choice in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
It's a good deal for the Pens, who had placed Samuelsson on waiver after training camp. Between Olli Maatta, Simon Despres, Brian Dumoulin, Scott Harrington and Derrick Pouliot, Samuelsson was lost in the shuffle, outside of a few games last season when injuries had decimated the Pens blueline. However, as a former 2nd round pick, the Pens once again fail to get any value from a high pick, a problem that has plagued them from 2007-2011 due to trades and poor selections.
Klinkhammer, per The Hockey News:
| Assets: | Has very good size for the National Hockey League game. Is effective when he keeps his game simple. Brings a lunch-pail mentality to the rink most nights. |
| Flaws: | Doesn't play with a lot of consistency, which hinders his chances of playing regularly in the NHL. Also could use more work on his skating ability. |
| Career Potential: | Big depth winger. |
The 28 year old has played for 3 NHL teams (Chicago, Ottawa and Phoenix/Arizona) and has 19 career goals and 17 assists in 129 games. Klinkhammer has 3 goals and 0 assists at is a +3 in 19 games this season, playing just 11:27 per game with the Coyotes.
Back 12 months ago, our SB Nation Coyotes blog Five for Howling had some kind words for Klinkhammer, saying in part:
In Klinkhammer, the Phoenix Coyotes have found a player off the scrap heap that has managed to carve out his niche with this club. He plays that gritty style of game that this organization has become so well known for. In short, there are few players that have come to define 'Phoenix Coyotes hockey' as well as Klinkhammer has, even in such a short time.
For Samuelsson, maybe the change of scene will do him well. And his brother, former first round pick Henrik Samuelsson , currently is in Arizona's system.