Arizona Coyotes Pontificating Brendan Perlini’s Potential

By William Grigsby | Sep 17, 2015

Arizona Coyotes prospect Brendan Perlini has potential to help the team’s outlook

As I attended the two rookie training camp sessions last weekend, there were many players to watch and absorb their potential for the Desert Dogs. One who caught my attention, besides the expected play of Max Domi, and Anthony Duclair was number 9, Brendan Perlini. At 6’ 3”, 205 lbs., it wasn’t difficult for him to stand out amongst the other young prospects trying to impress the Arizona Coyotes.

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Future Considerations described him back in 2013:

Perlini is a lethal combination of speed, puck skills, and hockey sense which allow him to make dynamic plays in all three zones. He plays a high puck possession game and thrives when the puck is on his stick.

If the Arizona Coyotes need one thing more than anything else, they need a good puck possession player who plays all three zones. You know what they say, “you can’t score if you don’t have the puck.”

Brendan Perlini is showing the Coyote’s brass that he does good things when he has the puck. In four preseason games dating back to last pre-season against the Los Angeles Kings, he has four goals. I saw him score a goal in last season’s preseason game here at Gila River arena against the Kings, but then sustained a hand injury, which ceased his consideration for making the final team cuts.

He was sent back to the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs to play last season and performed well.

Perlini has really showed well in the two pre-season rookie games against the L.A. Kings, scoring a goal in each game. His goal in the second game on September 16th was one he will remember, and had to catch the eyes of the Coyotes decision makers. He actually scored a backhand goal, while falling to the ice in the goal crease.
Perlini expressed his feelings on the game to Coyotes’ Dave Vest:

"”The guys played good again,” Perlini said. “We brought a lot of speed and skill to the table and we executed on some power plays. We’re glad to get the win.”"

If Brendan Perlini can continue his “pack mentality” play through training camp, he’s going to give some of the veterans a run for their money acquiring a roster spot. Right now, Max Domi, and Anthony Duclair who teamed up for a goal in the first Kings game are sure things to make the roster. That could leave at least one or two other openings, and right now Perlini is leading the pack.

His style of play just fits with HC Dave Tippett’s expectations to be a good NHL player. He is the definition of a two-way player, and it will be interesting to see if he emerges as a player on the roster on October 9th, when the Arizona Coyotes play the L.A. Kings.

It seems Brendan Perlini likes playing against the Kings, but he’d like playing against them even more when it really counts.

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