Arizona Coyotes acquire Jakub Voracek’s contract from Columbus Blue Jackets

The Arizona Coyotes have acquired forward Jakub Voracek from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for goaltender Jon Gillies and a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the club announced Thursday.

Voracek, 33, is under contract through the end of the 2023–24 season at an $8.25 million cap hit, although he’s missed all but 11 games this year while recovering from a concussion.

As Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated on Thursday morning, Voracek’s contract — which includes a $7.5 million salary for next season — could be covered by insurance if he remains on the injured reserve list.

Gillies, 29, is a journeyman goaltender who has heretofore spent the entire season with the American Hockey League’s Tucson Roadrunners, with whom he has a 5–8–2 record and an .878 save percentage in 15 games. He’s a pending UFA with a $750,000 cap hit in the NHL.

The Coyotes now possess 11 selections in the 2023 NHL Draft, including two in the sixth round. This is Arizona’s third trade leading up to the 2023 deadline after selling off defensemen Jakob Chychrun and Shayne Gostisbehere on Wednesday.

Voracek will remain on the Coyotes’ injured reserve list either until he’s cleared to play again or his contract expires. Arizona will return to action on Friday night to take on the Carolina Hurricanes at Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ at 9:30 p.m. ET.