Antoine Vermette Traded To Phoenix Coyotes For Draft Picks, Minor League Prospect

According to multiple sources including TSN's Bob McKenzie, the Columbus Blue Jackets have traded veteran forward Antoine Vermette to the Phoenix Coyotes for a second round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (from the Ottawa Senators), a fifth round selection in the 2013 Draft and minor-league goalkeeper Curtis McElhinney.

Vermette, 29, who is in only in the second year of a five-year, $18.75 million contract, has spent the last four years with the Blue Jackets. He'll get $3.75 per year for the next three seasons. Now entering into his eighth season in the NHL, Vermette has played with both Columbus and the Ottawa Senators, making Phoenix his third NHL team of his career.

Vermette has 42 games of playoff experience under his belt as well, doing his part to push Ottawa to the Stanley Cup Finals back in 2006-07 before eventually falling to the Anaheim Ducks.

Also, the fifth round pick becomes a fourth rounder for the Blue Jackets if Phoenix wins a playoff series this year.

For more in depth discussion and analysis of the Coyotes, make sure you check out Five For Howling.