The Toronto Maple Leafs and Arizona Coyotes Trade History
By Kyle Cushman
Since entering the NHL in 1979, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Arizona Coyotes franchise have made a surprisingly low amount of trades.
Although the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jets/Coyotes have been in the same division for just one season in their 40-year co-existence, these two franchises have combined to make just15 trades.
That’s an average of a trade every 2.67 years, a very low mark considering the fact they aren’t in the same conference. For context, the Leafs have made 21 trades with our previous team, the Anaheim Ducks, in just 26 seasons.
Despite the lack of activity between the two, there are still a handful of notable deals, including a draft pick that has turned into a significant player in the NHL today.
Let’s get things started with the most recent deal between these two, going back to the 2016-17 season.
The Most Recent Trade
Date: December 9, 2016
Leafs Acquire: Conditional 2018 6th (Not Met)
Coyotes Acquire: Peter Holland
Coming off of a 27 point season the previous year, Peter Holland found himself in Mike Babcock’s dog house to begin the 2016-17 campaign.
Appearing in just eight games as December began, it was clear Holland wanted out of Toronto to get back into an NHL lineup with some regularity. That opportunity came when John Chayka came calling, and the disgruntled Maple Leaf was sent to Arizona.
The trade was made by Toronto in order to free up a roster spot and move on from a player that was unhappy in his situation. The return was minimal, a conditional 2018 6th that would go to the Toronto Maple Leafs if Holland either re-signed with Arizona or was later traded by the Coyotes.
Holland, 26, was moderately productive for Arizona. Appearing in 40 games in a bottom-six role, Holland managed five goals and 11 points. That was a steep drop off from his 27 points in 65 games the prior year in Toronto, and the Coyotes elected to not bring back Holland.
The sixth-round pick that the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t receive ended up becoming David Tendeck, selected 158th overall by Arizona. An intriguing goaltending prospect out of the WHL, Tendeck signed an entry-level contract with the Coyotes on April 6 of this year, where he will join a loaded goaltending depth chart.
Overall, this deal is remembered as one of multiple that was forced due to Mike Babcock’s stubbornness in regards to his lineup. Though the Leafs didn’t get any tangible asset from this deal, it’s one that has not resulted in any regret three and a half years after the fact.