Eastside's Hockey Elite Collide

To Phoenix:
Washington's second round pick in 2012

To Washington:
D Zbynek Michalek [76]

I felt like I was missing a top four defenseman after trading Green. Cohen's not ready for full-time duty and Lashoff/Godfrey may develop into second-pairing guys in the future, but I feel a lot more confident with them on the third pairing. Zbynek's perfect as a second-pairing two-way defender, shown by his excellent performance in the playoffs for a team that was WINNING. His great contract still gives me flexibility to spend a bit in UFA like I always do.

Thanks once again, Glen.

With JovoCop's extension, with Kurt Sauer as the most overpaid 7th defenceman in the history of professional hockey (probably not but it sounds kinda cool) and with Mark Alt's impressive performance in last year's AHL playoffs, one of my lower-pairing defencemen was going to have to be moved to make room. Michalek has been a solid two-way blueliner for us, but he's the odd man out because I prefer my 3rd-pairing defencemen to be a little more physically inclined. The second round pick in a reportedly deep 2012 draft will help Phoenix continue to stock up the organization with replacements for the eventual retirement of guys like Gonchar, Jovanovski, Doan, and Kaberle. Thanks Tim, a pleasure as usual.

Phoenix confirms this trade.

Approved.

Inputted.