NHL notebook: Coyotes, Blue Jackets swap prospects

[July 19, 2018]  The Arizona Coyotes acquired defenseman Jacob Graves and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2019 draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Ryan MacInnis, both teams announced Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Graves registered three goals and three assists in 23 games last season with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). He also posted four assists in 24 games with the Quad City Mallards (ECHL) in 2017-18.

MacInnis, 22, has scored 14 goals and 17 assists in 129 AHL games, including six goals and eight assists in 59 games last season. A St. Louis native, he was drafted 43rd overall in 2014 by the Coyotes.

--The San Jose Sharks announced they re-signed restricted free agent center Chris Tierney to a two-year deal, though financial terms were not disclosed. According to a Sportsnet report, the contract will be worth a total of $5.875 million. Tierney made $894,167 last season.

Tierney, who turned 24 on July 1, posted career highs in goals (17) and assists (23) while playing in all 82 games last season, his fourth in the NHL since the Sharks took him in the second round of the 2012 draft.

Also, the Sharks signed 2018 first-round pick Ryan Merkley to an entry-level contract. Merkley, 17, was the Ontario Hockey League Rookie of the Year in 2016-17 and finished third among OHL defensemen with 67 points (13 goals, 54 assists) in 63 games for Guelph last season.

Jets defenseman Tyler Myers (57) battles New Jersey Devils center Jacob Josefson (16) during the first period at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

--The Vegas Golden Knights and restricted free agent forward Tomas Nosek avoided arbitration with a one-year, $962,500 contract.

Nosek, 25, had career highs of seven goals, eight assists and 67 games with Vegas last season. Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in the expansion draft, he had one goal in 17 NHL games entering the 2017-18 campaign.

Nosek furthered his value in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring four goals and two assists in 17 games. Three of those goals came in the Stanley Cup Final against the Washington Capitals, including what would be the winning tally in Game 1. Vegas went on to lose the series to Washington, 4-1.

--Field Level Media

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