Final steps for the roster

No Cozens? That’s a it haul for Kuemper

Cozens is a tough one - it depends on whether it's a full 82-game season or an abbreviated one. For a full season, burning a year of his ELC makes more sense but it doesn't for a shortened season IMO. I also wonder how physically ready he is for NHL play, despite his talent level. I'm dead-set against the notions Krueger and the media have made about playing him on the wing - he's destined to be their 2C in the future if things work out so playing out of position right off the bat "just to learn the pro game" is illogical to me.

As for Kuemper, he is a proven starter who was a Vezina candidate on a bad team so he won't be easy to acquire for a minimal return. The extra draft picks also factor in that AZ would be taking back full value of Hutton's contract, saving them really only about $1.8M off their cap. The hope / theory is that Housley's familiarity with Hutton as a veteran in the lockerroom and that it's only for a year of his contract would lead to the Coyotes accepting the swap.

I don't think Arizona takes that trade, Mittelstadt is still VERY unproven and Kuemper is the only reason the team made the play ins.