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Arizona Coyotes’ Christian Dvorak Impresses, Makes NHL Roster

By Jason Harrison

Oct 5, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) makes a save as Arizona Coyotes center Christian Dvorak (18) tries to score during the second period during a preseason hockey game at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott (1) makes a save as Arizona Coyotes center Christian Dvorak (18) tries to score during the second period during a preseason hockey game at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Coyotes have announced their 23-man roster for opening night in Glendale, and it’s no surprise that impressive prospect Christian Dvorak is included.

Today the Arizona Coyotes announced their Opening Night roster and to no one’s surprise, standout prospect Christian Dvorak is included.

The 20-year-old center vied with 18-year-old Jakob Chychrun for the biggest breakout performer in rookie and training camp.

Thanks to some roster juggling and a whole lot of faith from General Manager John Chayka and Head Coach Dave Tippett, both have earned a well-deserved spot on the Coyotes’ NHL roster.

After co-captaining the London Knights to the Memorial Cup last season, Dvo comes to the desert a proven winner and point-scorer despite his disappointing draft slot.

Dvorak scored 109 points in 2014-15 and put up an OHL leading 121 points in the Knights’ championship season last year. Not too shabby for a guy known more for his two-way play than finding a way to put points on the board.

Make no mistake, though, #18 is on this Coyotes roster because he plays a solid, consistent 200-foot game.

It’s the part of his performance that has often been held in comparison between himself and Dylan Strome, much to the detriment of Strome.

Comparing and contrasting the two has become a pastime of Arizona Coyotes’ faithful.

They play the same position. Management often puts them on opposing teams and occasionally head-to-head during in-house scrimmages.

Strome was highly touted and highly drafted. Dvorak was a forgotten man, stolen by the Coyotes in the second round. Strome is an offensive maestro, thoughtful in his play. Dvorak does all the little things that endear a player to fans and crashes around where necessary.

The expectations surrounding Dvorak have never been as high as those on Strome. That seems to suit the new Coyotes’ forward just fine. You can see the chip on his shoulder from the 200 level every time he takes the ice.

Expectations are still a hell of a thing heading into a rookie season, and it’s hard to pin accurate ones on Christian Dvorak.

Scouts and fans are split on whether Dvo can replicate his junior scoring prowess in the NHL, or if it was partially the product of his highly talented teammates. Thankfully, the Coyotes do not need him to bust into the league with a 50-plus point campaign.

His two-way game makes him valuable to Dave Tippett in all situations, and as such fans should temper their expectations with Dvorak.

It’s not inconceivable that Dvo’s career could chart a similar trajectory to Florida Panther’s centerman Aleksander Barkov‘s.

Next: Clayton Keller May Be Coyotes' Top Prospect

Both entered the league as solid two-way players, and it took Barkov two full NHL seasons before he finally broke through in 2015-16 with a 59-point campaign. In the interim, he provided the team value on both ends and played a very responsible game.

If that comparison comes even close to fruition, this franchise will be thrilled.

The points may or may not be there in his rookie season, but given time Christian Dvorak is going to become a pillar for the Arizona Coyotes.

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