Coyotes and Blue Jackets Swap Talented Players

To Coyotes:
Rostislav Klesla
Dane Byers








To Blue Jackets:
Scottie Upshall
Sami Lepisto


Review:
The Yotes needed some help on the blue line and by acquiring Klesla they get a very solid top 4 defenseman. Although he might not put up a huge amount of points he will shutdown opponents' top line's night in and night out. He does not make too many mistakes in his own end and that shows with his impressive plus/minus (+10), which happens to be 29th in the entire NHL for defensemen. Klesla was the first player ever drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets organization and this trade moves out the final member of the original Blue Jackets roster that still remained on the current roster. Along with Klesla, forward Dane Byers was sent to the Coyotes as well but will likely remain on the AHL roster for however long his tenure will be in the organization. Despite the historic element to Klesla, the Jackets needed to make this move because it really is just too good for them to pass up. The players they received, Scottie Upshall and Sami Lepisto are both really strong players that will make an impact on this team. Upshall plays a physical, agitator type game and is able to put up a lot of points in the process. His willingness to go into the dirty areas is something that this Blue Jacket team has lacked and will welcome. But what makes him so unique is the fact that he also puts up a ton of points. He was tied for the lead in goals for the Coyotes with 16 and has been a big time point getter thus far this season. Lepisto at 26 years old has finally put it all together and has developed into a solid puck-moving top 6 defenseman. He has 11 points in 51 games and a solid plus-7 rating. He still has potential that has yet to be reached and the Jackets will give him ample opportunity to achieve it.


Short-Term Winner: EVEN, Both sides get real quality players that improve each squad.


Long-Term Winner: EVEN as well, its a very solid deal for both sides and all players are around the same age's which makes it even for the future.