Arizona Coyotes Assign Christian Dvorak To AHL Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes announced they have assigned center Christian Dvorak to the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL.

The Arizona Coyotes announced this afternoon that Christian Dvorak is being assigned to the AHL.

His assignment comes on the heels of line rushes this morning revealing Dylan Strome was finally going to re-enter the lineup.

The roster move will allow Dvorak to get plenty of playing time in Tucson while Strome gets a shot to show his stuff after spending a few weeks working with the Coyotes’ coaches and training staff.

Here’s the Arizona Coyotes’ press release on the move:

"GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Arizona Coyotes General Manager John Chayka announced today that the Coyotes have assigned center Christian Dvorak to the Tucson Roadrunners, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate (AHL).The 20-year-old Dvorak has collected three assists in seven games with the Coyotes this season. The 6-foot-0, 187-pound Dvorak finished second in the OHL in scoring with 52-59-121 in 59 games with the London Knights last season in helping the club to win the CHL Memorial Cup.Dvorak was originally drafted by the Coyotes in the second round (58th overall) in the 2014 Entry Draft."

Christian Dvorak has bounced around the Yotes’s lineup so far this season.

He spent time centering Max Domi and Anthony Duclair, but recently has been demoted to 4th line duties as the pivot between a rotating cast of Ryan White, Laurent Dauphin, and Lawson Crouse.

Through his first seven games, Dvorak was serviceable for the Coyotes.

On most nights he wasn’t noticeable for better or for worse, but that’s not a terrible thing for a rookie center. One exception was Saturday night’s contest against the Colorado Avalanche, where he and his line had a rough outing.

With Dvorak’s (likely temporary) departure, Dylan Strome gets an opportunity to impress Dave Tippett and John Chayka.

Recently, Chayka spoke to NHL.com about Strome.

“Off the ice and in practice he’s gone from being a guy who, quite frankly, made it with skill his whole life and talent alone. Now all of a sudden he’s becoming one of the hardest-working players.”

There has been much speculation about Strome’s future with the Coyotes this season, and whether his lack of playing time was an indictment from management.

Chayka said that was “a misconception” and that he is “extremely positive with the strides” Strome is taking.

#20 has had three games of action and a bit of extra practice time to acclimate himself to the speed and skill in the National Hockey  League.

For better or worse, this is an audition for where he’ll spend the rest of the season.

He looks to be centering a line with Jamie McGinn and Anthony Duclair.

Whether he passes or fails, don’t be surprised to see Christian Dvorak return to Glendale and the Arizona Coyotes very soon.

Next: Concerns About Dylan Strome Are Unwarranted

This roster move was likely made as a compromise to allow both players to get playing time.

Dvorak has already earned his.