Goalie Mike Smith was pulled aside as he was about to walk into the dressing room.
Winger Jamie McGinn was on an airplane the first time and then at home when it happened again. Same with winger Radim Vrbata.
As for defenseman Kevin Connauton, he was circling the ice with his teammates.
Although where they received the news varied, the message and the timing of it was the same.
These four Coyotes had been moved on the NHL’s trade deadline day, an experience that could happen to more players Wednesday before the trade window closes at 1 p.