Blue Jackets Trade Antoine Vermette To Coyotes For Curtis McElhinney, Draft Picks

The Phoenix Coyotes acquired Antoine Vermette on Wednesday in a trade that will send goaltender Curtis McElhinney to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The deal was first reported by TSN's Bob McKenzie, who also noted that Blue Jackets will receive two draft picks, a second-rounder in 2012 and a fifth-rounder in 2013, as part of the deal. ESPN's Pierre LeBrun noted that the deal could get even sweeter if the Coyotes advance in the playoffs.

That 5th-round pick in 2013 becomes a 4th-rounder for Columbus if Phoenix wins a playoff round this year

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) February 22, 2012

Phoenix will absorb the three years and $3.75 million remaining on Vermette's contract. In return, they receive an experienced center who has eight goals and 18 assists on the year.

SB Nation Cleveland points out that the second round pick alone probably could have been price enough for Vermette.

McElhinney has spent most of the year playing for Portland of the AHL, and is a likely candidate to be sent down to Springfield once he touches down in Columbus, if he plays at all, according to the Blue Jackets blog The Cannon. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch notes that McElhinney had abdominal surgery in January, and will likely not play this season.

For more on this deal, head over to SB Nation's Blue Jackets blog, The Cannon. For more on the Coyotes end, check out Five For Howling.