COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets made their first of what could be several trades prior to Monday's deadline, flipping center Antoine Vermette to the Phoenix Coyotes for minor-league goaltender Curtis McElhinney and two draft picks.

McElhinney, 29, is currently nursing an injury with the minor-league Portland Pirates and will remain on rehab assignment with Portland. He has played in 69 NHL games for four different teams, posting a 19-26-4 record with a 3.09 goals-against average. His contract expires following this season.

Columbus also acquired a second round draft pick for 2012 and a conditional pick for 2013. If Phoenix advances to the second round of the playoffs this year, the 2013 pick would improve from a fifth round selection to a fourth rounder.

Entering Wednesday, the Coyotes were in line to make the playoffs, holding the sixth position in the Western Conference standings.

Vermette, 29, played his 600th NHL game on Tuesday. Since being acquired by Columbus in March 2009, he compiled 61 goals and 91 assists in 241 games. This year he had 27 points in 60 games for the Blue Jackes.

Vermette is in the first year of a four-year contract with an annual salary cap hit of $3.75 million.