GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes were one of the NHL’s best defensive teams last season while just missing their first playoff appearance in six years.

The biggest reason they came up short: Lack of scoring.

The Coyotes took a step toward shoring up their long-standing scoring woes on Saturday, acquiring productive winger Phil Kessel from the Pittsburgh Penguins for center Alex Galchenyuk.

Minor league defenseman Pierre-Oliver Joseph also will go to Pittsburgh and the Coyotes get minor league defenseman Dane Birks and a 2021 fourth-round draft pick.

“We felt the ability to add a scorer was the primary need for our group,” Coyotes GM John Chayka said during a conference call. “Phil has been one of the best offensive producers in the league for a long time and we think he’s going to come in motivated and ready to go.”

Arizona has been a defensive-minded team since Dave Tippett’s eight seasons in the desert. The Coyotes rode the shutdown approach to the 2012 Western Conference Finals, but haven’t been back to the playoffs since — in large part because they struggle scoring.

Kessel should give them a big boost.

The 31-year-old had 27 goals and 55 assists with the Penguins last season, his fourth with the team. He won Stanley Cup titles with Pittsburgh in 2016-17 with current Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet, then a Penguins assistant.

Kessel has scored at least 30 goals six times during a 13-year NHL career that includes stints with Boston and Toronto. He had 34 goals with the Penguins in 2017-18.

The deal comes 10 days after Alex Meruelo was approved as the Coyotes new majority owner.

“I’m just coming in to do what I do best and try to help the team win as many games as possible,” Kessel said. “I think they’re an up-and-coming team, they’ve got a lot of pieces in place and I want to help them along.”

Kessel’s relationship with Tocchet helped spark Arizona’s interest.

Kessel was a vital part of Pittsburgh’s run to consecutive Stanley Cups, finishing second to Sidney Crosby for the 2016 Conn Smythe Trophy after notching 10 goals and 12 assists.