The Arizona Coyotes have played this game before.
Back in 2016, former ‘Yotes general manager John Chayka acquired the remainder of Pavel Datsyuk’s contract from the Detroit Red Wings as part of a deal that saw Arizona move up four spots in the first round of that year’s draft.
Chayka agreed to absorb Marian Hossa’s contract from Chicago two years later; for the trouble, the Coyotes also received Vinnie Hinostroza, Jordan Oesterle, and a third-round pick.
The Coyotes are hardly the only team to ever weaponize their cap space by relieving cash-strapped teams from their most egregious financial commitments.