Panthers Acquire Wojtek Wolski from NY Rangers

The Florida Panthers announced on Saturday that they have acquired center Wojtek Wolski from the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Michael Vernace and a third round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft. Wolski will be eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer, while Vernace will be eligible for group six unrestricted free agency. In nine games this season with the Rangers, Wolski had three assists. He also appeared in six games with Connecticut of the AHL, scoring three goals and two assists for five points. He missed 31 games earlier this season with a groin injury. Vernace has appeared in 44 games with Norfolk and San Antonio of the AHL, scoring two goals and 14 assists for 16 points. He last played in an NHL game during the 2010-11 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Panthers have added some offensive depth in Wolski, but he has always been an enigmatic scorer at the NHL level. Perhaps the change of scenery can help him get his offensive game back on track. If he can improve his game, then he could be a decent top-six forward for the Panthers. As for the Rangers, Wolski was hardly being used by the team, so the move comes as no surprise. By the looks of it, the team could be moving some salary to make way for a larger trade, so keep an eye on the Rangers over the next two days as the Trade Deadline approaches. As for Vernace, he will likely spend the remainder of the season in the minors.

NY Rangers Acquire Wolski from Coyotes for Rozsival

The New York Rangers announced today that they have acquired left wing Wojtek Wolski from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Michal Rozsival. The move comes just a day after the Rangers learned they will be without the services of left wing Alexander Frolov, who has a knee injury, for the rest of the season. The move will also free up $1.2 million in salary cap space for New York. Both players still have one year remaining on their contracts and will be free agents in 2012. In 36 games so far this season, Wolski has six goals and 10 assists for 16 points, while Rozsival has three goals and 12 assists for 15 points in 32 games. He is currently day-to-day with bruised ribs. Not a bad move for the Rangers, as Wolski will add some much needed offensive depth to the team with forwards Vaclav Prospal, Alexander Frolov, Erik Christiansen, and Ryan Callahan all currently injured. Despite struggling this season in Phoenix after scoring roughly a point per game last season after his trade to the Coyotes, Wolski will bring plenty of puck-handling and goal scoring skill to the Rangers' lineup. Plus, freeing up some salary cap space will leave them with a little more flexibility to perhaps make another trade by the trade deadline if necessary. As for the Coyotes, Rozsival brings some offensive skill and mobility to the blueline, as well as a veteran presence. In the end though, the Rangers seem to be the winners of this trade, as they have acquired a young forward who still has plenty of promise, despite being somewhat inconsistent, and dealt away a veteran defenseman who was taking up a bit of salary cap space.

Coyotes Sign Forward Wolski to Two-Year Extension

The Phoenix Coyotes announced on Thursday that they have signed left wing Wojtek Wolski to a two-year contract extension worth $7.6 million. The deal averages out to $3.8 million per season. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. The Coyotes acquired Wolski from the Colorado Avalanche on March 3 in exchange for Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter. In 80 games last season with the Avalanche and Coyotes, he had 23 goals and 42 assists for 65 points. Not a bad move for the Coyotes, as Wolski has plenty of offensive skill despite lacking consistency at times. He has decent goal-scoring skills and is an excellent playmaker who has been a good acquisition thus far for the Coyotes. Look for him to have a fine first full season with Phoenix in 2010-11.

Coyotes Acquire Wolski from Avalanche for Mueller, Porter

The Phoenix Coyotes continued to improve their roster on Wednesday by acquiring left wing Wojtek Wolski from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for centers Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter. There was speculation in recent weeks that the Coyotes were shopping Mueller due to his drop in offensive production this season. In 61 games this season with the Avalanche, Wolski has 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points. In 301 career NHL games, all with the Avalanche, he has 73 goals and 120 assists for 193 points. In 53 games with the Coyotes this season, Mueller has four goals and 12 assists for 16 points, while Porter has no points in four games this season with the Coyotes. This is a decent trade for both teams, as they have both acquired lots of offensive potential. Wolski has lots of offensive skill, especially on the power play, and should be a good fit for the Coyotes. Mueller and Porter both have a wealth of offensive potential and goal-scoring abilities, and if they can turn their respected games around in Colorado, they could be great pick-ups for the Avalanche.