Coyotes' Goalie-A-Round

Coyotes roster

The Coyotes sent Mikhail Shtalenkov and a fourth-round pick to the Florida Panthers for Burke and a fifth-round pick in an exchange of goalies.

"Unfortunately, it does," Coyotes general manager Bobby Smith said, when asked if the trade ends hope of signing Khabibulin this season. "Our goaltending tandem this year is Sean Burke and Bob Essensa."

Burke and his $2.1 million salary had become expendable because the Panthers signed Trevor Kidd to a four-year, $8.1 million contract during training camp.

Burke, 32, becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season, which would provide flexibility if the Coyotes resume talks with Khabibulin.

"Burke is a legitimate No. 1 goalie who can carry the load for this year for 55 or 60 games," Smith said. "When you have an opportunity to get a player like that and upgrade your goaltending, it's in the best interest of the team. We also owe a big debt of gratitude to Mikhail, for what he did for us last year and for what he did in October."

Coyotes captain Keith Tkachuk said the team was "shocked" by the trade.

"Obviously, it has a lot to do with Khabibulin," Tkachuk said. "We were very shocked. I think everybody was expecting Niki to be in here soon. They must feel Niki is not coming back and they have to do something. We want Niki back, but it's not the case so you have to move on."