'David Vest
© The Arizona Republic
Nov. 28, 2006 02:31 PM

 

The Coyotes traded forward Tyson Nash and a fourth-round draft pick in 2007 to the Toronto Maple Leafs for backup goaltender Mikael Tellqvist on Tuesday.

 

Nash, 31, has played the entire season for Phoenix's top affiliate in San Antonio after not making the club in training camp.

 

"Let's put it this way, it's been very hard on me to put on a jersey for a team that you know doesn't want you," Nash said after learning of the trade. "That's what I've been struggling with every day... At least now I'm with an organization that wants me and is going to give me a chance. As far as leaving the Coyotes, I had a great time there... But my career is what is most important to me right now. I just want another shot at the NHL."

 

Nash notched three goals and 11 assists in 119 games with the Coyotes. Tellqvist has a 16-16-2 record and 3.01goals-against average in 40 NHL games, all with Toronto. He has played just one game for the Maple Leafs this season. Meanwhile, Coyotes defenseman Nick Boynton is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks because of a foot injury.

 

Boynton missed practice on Monday morning, and X-rays taken later in the day revealed a fractured bone.

Boynton will not undergo surgery to repair the problem.

 

Coach Wayne Gretzky said he is leaning toward recalling defenseman Travis Roche from the team's top affiliate in San Antonio.

 

Center Jeremy Roenick also missed practice on Monday and Tuesday because of an upper respiratory illness that Gretzky said likely will keep Roenick out of Thursday's game vs. Los Angeles.