Coyotes Sign Forward Prucha to Two-Year Contract

The Phoenix Coyotes remained busy on Friday afternoon by re-signing left wing Petr Prucha to a two-year contract extension worth $2.2 million. The deal averages out to $1.1 million per season. The Coyotes acquired Prucha at the 2009 trade deadline along with Dmitri Kalinin and Nigel Dawes from the New York Rangers in exchange for Derek Morris. In 47 games last season with the Rangers and Coyotes, Prucha scored two goals and eight assists for 10 points. In 256 career games, he has scored 65 goals and 58 assists for 123 points with the Rangers and Coyotes. This is hardly a signing for Coyotes fans to get excited about, as Prucha's offensive production has been in constant decline since his rookie season when he scored 30 goals and 17 assists in 68 games. This is, however, a very affordable signing for the cash strapped Coyotes who will likely keep their payroll low for next season. If Prucha can regain his offensive numbers from four seasons ago, this will be a great signing for the rebuilding Coyotes, although I wouldn't bet my money on him improving next season.

Rangers Acquire Defenseman Morris from Coyotes

The New York Rangers made a second big splash at the trade deadline by acquiring defenseman Derek Morris from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Dmitri Kalinin, left wing Nigel Dawes, and left wing Petr Prucha. Morris requested a trade over the weekend and pulled himself from the Coyotes' lineup to avoid suffering an injury. Morris, who had a no-trade clause, agreed to waive to go to an Eastern Conference team. In 57 games this season, Morris has five goals and seven assists for 12 points and 24 penalty minutes. Kalinin has one goal and 12 assists for 13 points in 58 games. In 28 games this season, Prucha has four goals and five assists for nine points, while Dawes has 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points in 52 games. Morris brings lots of toughness and veteran experience to the Rangers' defense as they attempt to hang onto a playoff spot. Kalinin brings plenty of veteran depth and offensive skill to the Coyotes' blueline despite his struggles this season. Dawes gives the Coyotes a young goal scorer with lots of potential, while Prucha gives them offensive depth on the wing. However, Prucha has struggled since his rookie season and it remains to be seen if he will fit into their future.