Report: Keith Yandle's name popping up in trade rumors (again)

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle is reportedly on the trade block again, and this time he might actually get moved.

The skilled puck-moving defender has been at the center of trade rumors for years, and years, but Coyotes general manager Don Maloney has yet to pull the trigger. This year it could be different though, according to a report from TSN's Bob McKenzie:

Talk is most certainly picking up amongst the general managers in the National Hockey League ... One of the teams that we identified in the last week or two as being interested in making a deal (is the Arizona) Coyotes. 

Keith Yandle's name continues to come up - stop me if you've heard that before! I mean, he's been the most traded guy who has never been traded! - but most of the general managers I've talked to believe that this is actually the year that Keith Yandle is traded. 

Phoenix is looking for a top-six forward. All the usual suspects - the Detroit Red Wings amongst others - are interested in him.

The 10-15-3 Coyotes currently sport the second-worst goal differential in the Western Conference and have been a massive disappointment. At this point, a third consecutive year without a playoff home date seems all but certain for the financially troubled club.

With the team struggling enormously, Maloney has been shaking things up of late, but most of his moves so far have been marginal ones - like trading Rob Klinkhammer, or waiving Kyle Chipchura.

Bigger moves could be in the offing based on Maloney's comments on Tuesday.

"We need to show hopefully small improvement, and I think it’s really our execution," Maloney told Sarah McLellan the Arizona Republic.

"I still think we have a top-level coaching staff. I think our team chemistry is good but what does that mean? We’re in a results business, not a Kumbaya business."

Yandle, 28, is a blue-chip puck mover who is fourth among NHL defenseman in scoring over the past three seasons.

Though he's been criticized for his play without the puck in the past, Yandle's performance by the underlying numbers has been superb throughout his career. Since the 2011-12 season, for example, Yandle has spent at least 300 even-strength minutes with 19 players, 18 of whom have seen their Corsi For percentage improve when they share the ice with Yandle.