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Tkachuk on the move Blues look at Lindros, then fetch Coyotes captain
Updated: Tuesday March 13, 2001 5:28 PM
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Phoenix Coyotes captain Keith Tkachuk was traded Tuesday to the St. Louis Blues for three players and a first-round pick in the 2001 NHL draft, the team announced. The Coyotes also acquired defenseman Todd Simpson from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a second-round draft pick. As part of the Tkachuk trade, the Coyotes will receive winger Michael Handzus, Ladislav Nagy and Jeff Taffe, a Blues' draft pick from this past year, said Coyotes General Manager Cliff Fletcher. Tkachuk, 28, who served as Phoenix's team captain for seven seasons, left the Coyotes' headquarters in Scottsdale without talking to reporters. "It's a sad day for him in many respects," said Bob Murray, Tkachuk's agent. "He has been part of this organization for 10 years and had hoped to remain with the Coyotes for all his years, but he understands the decision had to be made. But St. Louis is a very good organization." The Blues announced Tkachuk would join the lineup for the Wednesday night game at Minnesota. "Keith Tkachuk will give our team an entirely new, dynamic personality up front," said Larry Pleau, Blues senior vice president and general manager. "Keith is one of only a handful of players in the league who can bring a blend of leadership, physical presence and goal-scoring ability to the rink, shift after shift." Tkachuk, has recorded 323-300-623 and 1508 penalty minutes. In 44 career playoff games, he tallied 19-9-28. This season he registered 29-42-71. He ranks first on the franchise list in penalty minutes and game winning goals. Handzus, 24, has been out of the Blues lineup for several weeks after undergoing abdominal surgery. He had 10 goals and 14 assists in 36 games this season. In three seasons, he has 39 goals and 54 assists. Nagy, 21, had eight goals and eight assists. In 11 games last season, his first, he had two goals and four assists. Previously, he played for Worcester in the AHL. Taffe, 20, currently plays forward for University of Minnesota men's hockey team. This past season, he recorded 10-10-20 in 39 games. He also represented the United States in the World Junior Championships in 2000 and 2001. Simpson, 27, played in 25 games for the Panthers this season, recording 1-3-4 and 74 penalty minutes. He returned to the lineup on March 2 after missing 40 games with a concussion. In six seasons split between Florida and Calgary, he has played in 321 games, collecting 6-35-41. This past season, his 202 penalty minutes ranked second in the NHL. Rumors had been swirling for weeks that Phoenix would attempt to move Tkachuk and his $8.3 million contract. Coyotes GM Cliff Fletcher had said he'd spoken with several general managers and said the offer would have to be perfect to let Tkachuk go. The move is part of a string of changes made under new managing partner Wayne Gretzky, who purchased the team along with developer Steve Ellman last month.
On March 5, Phoenix sent goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin and
defenseman Stan Neckar to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman
Paul Mara, forwards Mike Johnson and Ruslan Zainullin and a
second-round draft choice.
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