Coyotes Rumors: Enforcer Becoming Trade Candidate

The Arizona Coyotes' ongoing losing streak hit 12 games with their overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Feb. 25. Due to their immense struggles, their playoff hopes are essentially gone at this juncture, and the expectation is that they will be sellers at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline because of it.

Coyotes players like Matt Dumba, Jason Zucker, and Nick Bjugstad have come up in the rumor mill a lot over the last few weeks because of it. While there is a good chance that we will see at least one of them dealt before the deadline passes, there is another Coyotes player who could be moved by March 8 - forward Liam O'Brien.

While O'Brien is not a star player, there is no question that he could still generate a lot of interest over the next week and a half because of his immense toughness. While the role of the enforcer is far less common in today's NHL, O'Brien is one, and his gritty style of play could make him a nice addition to a contender. This is especially so when the postseason is here and the games becoming far more chippy.

O'Brien, 29, is on an expiring deal and carries an easily affordable $775,000 cap hit. Because of this, he would be a nice depth forward addition to a playoff club looking to add some toughness to their group.

In 50 games this season with the Yotes, O'Brien has three goals, eight points, 135 hits, and 116 penalty minutes.