The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Adrian Aucoin to a one-year, $2 million deal.
The Coyotes have now lost two players to free agency who have a combined age of 78 (Aucoin, 38, Whitney, 40).
The loss of Aucoin will not be felt as heavily as Whitney. The Coyotes are strong along the blue line and have a slew of young talent. Keith Yandle, Oliver Ekmann-Larsson, Michael Stone, Chris Summers, Maxim Goncharov, David Schlemko and David Rundblad are all under 25-years-old and currently on the Coyotes roster.
The team also traded for veteran defenseman Zbynek Michalek during the draft, who will most likely take over Aucoin's roll.
Aucoin spent the last three seasons in the desert, but felt it was time to move on. The Blue Jackets will be the seventh team he has played for in his career.
The Coyotes signed their first new free agent of 2012 as well. Former Calgary Flame David Moss signed on for two years with the 'Yotes Saturday.
Moss tallied two goals and seven assist in an injury shortened 2011-2012 campaign. During the 2010-2011 season however, the 6'4", 207-pound Moss netted 17 goals, including five power play goals, and 30 points in 58 games.
Moss will be a welcome addition to the roster at the right wing position, and can hopefully find a home on the Coyotes second or third line.
It is still too early to tell, but you have to imagine that the looming ownership situation is making it hard to lure free agents to Phoenix.
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