Arizona Coyotes centre Nick Bjugstad (17) gets hooked by San Jose Sharks right wing Kevin Labanc (62) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Tempe, Ariz., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. The Edmonton Oilers acquired Bjugstad from the Coyotes for minor-league defenceman Michael Kesselring and a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL draft Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ross D. Franklin
EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers acquired forward Nick Bjugstad and defenceman Cam Dineen from the Arizona Coyotes for a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL draft and blue-liner Michael Kesselring on Thursday.
The move less than 24 hours before the league’s 3 p.m. Friday trade deadline will see the Coyotes retain 50 per cent of Bjugstad’s remaining US$900,000 salary.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, the 30-year-old has 13 goals and 23 points in 59 games in 2022-23.
The Minneapolis native, who was selected 19th overall at the 2010 draft, has registered 123 goals and 260 points in 599 regular-season appearances with Florida, Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Arizona. Bjugstad has added three goals and two assists in 15 playoff contests.
Dineen, 24, played 34 NHL games with Arizona last season. Kesselring, 23, has never suited up beyond the AHL.
The Oilers made their big move Tuesday, acquiring defenceman Mattias Ekholm from Nashville after sending winger Jesse Puljujarvi to Carolina to clear salary cap space.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2023.
