Coyotes' Yandle ready for whatever happens

NEWARK, N.J. -- Arizona Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle said he isn't bothered by rumors of him being traded from the only team he's played for in his nine seasons before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 2 at 3 p.m. ET.

Yandle, 28, understands the business and also knows he'll close out a five-year contract at the end of 2015-16. He still has plenty to offer, plays big minutes and is considered a tremendous puck-moving defenseman; he has four goals and 40 points in 59 games this season.

"I think I've been in this situation before where my name has been thrown around over the last six or seven years and it's one of those things that if it happens, it happens," Yandle said. "I didn't pack anything extra [on this four-game road trip that ends Feb. 28 in Boston]. My mom works for Fed Ex, so if it happens she can always ship me some stuff.

"It's one of those things that's part of the business, but you just focus on the next game."

Yandle, a fourth-round pick (No. 105) in the 2005 NHL Draft by the Coyotes, isn't the only player from the team who could be moved at the deadline. Center Antoine Vermette and defenseman Zbynek Michalek are other prominent names mentioned in trade talk.

Yandle was asked if he has discussed the possibility of being moved to a different team with his family.

"I think my wife might talk about it more than me because she's the one who will have to get the kids in school if something did happen and we'd have to uproot," he said. "For me it would be easy, although I've never been traded so I really don't know.

"I take it one day at a time. Obviously I love being a part of this organization, so it's one of those things I try not to think about really."

Yandle has kept a positive attitude despite the disappointing season for the team, which will likely miss qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs a third straight year.

"Anytime you're losing it's tough on the team, management, family and the fans," Yandle said. "It's one of those things when you're losing everyone feels the wrath of it. When you're winning everyone feels good, so it's tough all around. But as a group we stay positive and just have to keep pushing forward."