Coyotes deal Matthew Lombardi to Anaheim

According to various reports, the Phoenix Coyotes have traded center Matthew Lombardi to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Brandon McMillan.

Lombardi, 31, tallied eight points in 21 games this season, while McMillan, 23, has scored one point in six games.

Lombardi rejoined the Coyotes this season after two years away from the team, though injuries derailed his second stint with the team. The owner of 101 goals and 161 assists in his career, he was set to become a free agent at the conclusion of this season.

So, rather than keep him and risk getting zero return if he left as a free agent, the team decided it best to ship him out for McMillan, who has shown flashes but has yet to put it all together in the NHL.

Formerly a third-round pick of the Ducks in 2008, he’s appeared in 91 NHL games, notching 11 goals and 15 assists.

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