The Edmonton Oilers acquired forward Nick Bjugstad and defenseman Cam Dineen from the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesselring and a 2023 third-round draft pick.
Multiple reports said the Coyotes will retain 50 percent of Bjugstad’s remaining salary.
Bjugstad, 30, signed with Arizona on a one-year contract ahead of this season. He is on pace for his most productive statistical season since 2018-19, with 13 goals and 10 assists tallied through 59 games. He also has recorded 119 hits.
“I’d like to thank Nick for all of his contributions to the Coyotes on and off the ice this season,” Arizona general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Nick is a tremendous person and was extremely well-liked and respected in our dressing room. We wish him all the best with the Oilers.”
In 599 career games spent with the Florida Panthers (2012-18), Pittsburgh Penguins (2018-20), Minnesota Wild (2020-22) and Coyotes, Bjugstad has amassed 260 points (123 goals, 137 assists) and 261 penalty minutes.
Dineen, 24, made his NHL debut this season and has seven assists in 34 games. Arizona drafted him in the third round in 2016.
Kesselring, 23, was Edmonton’s sixth-round draft pick in 2018 and he has yet to make his NHL debut. He has 22 points (13 goals, nine assists) in 49 games this season with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.
The Connor McDavid-led Oilers continued dealing ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline.
Edmonton, which entered Thursday third in the Pacific Division, previously sent Jesse Puljujarvi to the Carolina Hurricanes for forward prospect Patrik Puistola, then acquired defenseman Mattias Ekholm from the Nashville Predators for defenseman Tyson Barrie, forward prospect Reid Schaefer and multiple draft picks.
–Field Level Media
