Sep 22, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Henrik Samuelsson (15) celebrates with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) and defenseman Brandon Gormley (33) after scoring a goal in the first period against the Los Angeles Kings at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Can you keep up with the insanity that is the Arizona Coyotes line changes?
According to Hockey Buzz’s James Tanner, the Coyotes have recalled defenseman Brandon Gormley for Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs- and, weirdly enough, reassigned Justin Hodgman back to Portland.
Puck Prose
WELL, THERE WENT MY FAMILY REUNION OF KADRI AND HODGMAN OF THE MARLIES FAME CIRCA 2010-2011. K. COOL.
With rumors already floating around of Gormley requesting a trade out- and him and Connor Murphy being the only two defenseman able to be moved up and down between Arizona and Portland- it seems only logical to assume that a move is going to be made.
Maybe with one of these teams that has garbage defending and great offense and love to give the Coyotes players that they can actually develop properly?
Who really knows. The Coyotes are off to a sloppy start, and they don’t have much line chemistry yet. They’re getting scored on, kind of a lot. So anything could happen, really.
I think it would be a bad idea to trade someone ASAP before seeing how Gormley fits with the team, though. Portland has a ton of promise- Hodgman and Gormley aren’t the odd men out in a wealth of talent waiting to acsend the Coyotes throne- and the team could be severely hurt if they start trading prospects for guys who may or may not be with the team beyond July 1st of next summer.
If the team does move someone, of course, it will have to be within the team-set budget constraints… and it will have to serve a purpose beyond simply shaking things up. Zbynek Michalek is a name that pops up a lot (although I personally think that would be unwise unless another team is willing to part with a stay-at-home defenseman of comparable value to Michalek, which I don’t see as terribly likely), and don’t expect that to change any time soon.
When the team announces the final roster and line combinations Tuesday morning, more will probably come clear. One thing is certain, though- it looks like GMDM and Dave Tippett are doubling down. I think they’re giving a couple of the shakier forwards one last chance to prove who deserves a bottom-six spot- and who’s going to be clearing waivers pretty soon.
In the meantime? Hodgman’s going to get his top ice minutes in Portland, and happily score some goals while he awaits his final fate.
More from Howlin' Hockey
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident