A decade ago, the Philadelphia Flyers selected Steve Downie in the first round of the NHL draft. He had skill to burn and played a take-no-prisoners style of physical hockey, despite having a modest 5’11” frame.
Downie has played 433 regular-season games since, scoring nearly 40 points per 82 contests, all while continuing to be one of the most abrasive forwards in the game.
Now, at the relatively tender age of 28, he’s available to any team willing to pick up the remainder of his one-year, $1.75 million contract. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported on Sunday morning that the Coyotes had placed Downie on waivers:
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 17, 2016
That’s not much money or much term; this isn’t an albatross contract the Coyotes are trying to dump.