Coyotes don't want pick to go to wolves

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2008 | by Kevin Allen

As confident as the Phoenix Coyotes are that prized prospect center Kyle Turris is ready to be in their lineup, they were equally sure it wasn't in his, or the team's, best interest if he had to face the NHL Western Conference's most beastly centers every night.

That thought played a role in the Coyotes' decision to acquire Olli Jokinen in a draft-day deal that could be considered one of the most important trades in team history.

"I don't want Kyle to play every shift against (Ryan) Getzlaf or (Joe) Thornton or (Patrick) Marleau," Phoenix coach Wayne Gretzky said. "This will give us a chance to put him in a different role so he won't have to see the biggest, best centers every shift."

The Coyotes gave up defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton and...