The Arizona Coyotes on Thursday took over the contract of another injured player, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jakub Voracek, whose career may be over.
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As confirmed by both teams, the Jackets received goalie Jon Gillies for Voracek and a sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft. The 33-year-old Czech has a salary of $8.25 million this season and next.
News: We acquired a 2023 sixth-round draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for goaltender Jon Gillies.
We also acquired striker Jakub Voráček’s contract as part of the deal.https://t.co/BIdqiPsJwg
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) March 2, 2023
The right winger has been out since November 4 with another concussion. A month later, the concerned principal admitted that his chances of playing in the National Hockey League (NHL) again were slim.
Voracek, author of six points in 11 games in 2022-2023, was one of the most prolific players of the 2010s while wearing the Philadelphia Flyers uniform. Last year he returned to the Jackets, the team that picked him seventh overall at the 2007 amateur auction.
Along with Rick Nash and Derick Brassard, Voracek is one of the few players drafted by Columbus to reach the 1,000 mark. He played 1058 and collected 806 points.
Gillies, on the other hand, hasn’t played in the NHL this season but has 32 game experience at that level. The 29-year-old bouncer has notably defended the colors of the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils.
The Coyotes’ long-term injured list and withheld salaries now make up about 42% of their payroll. Shea Weber, Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little are other players whose pacts ended in Arizona.