Arizona Coyotes Prospects Producing In Rookie Camp

By William Grigsby | Sep 20, 2015

Rookies showed well in two pre-season games against the L.A. Kings

Brendan Perlini loves playing against the L.A. Kings. He now has accumulated four goals in as many games over the past two pre-seasons, raising his stakes as a prime candidate to make it out of rookie camp.

Others who are showing well so far are: Max Domi, and Anthony Duclair, who teamed up for a goal, with Max planting it in the net. Laurent Dauphin, and Conor Garland have also contributed goals. Dakota Mermis had two goals, one in the 3-on-3 practice overtime to pace the Desert Dogs in the second game.

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The first pre-season game saw the Arizona Coyotes taking a 5-3 decision, but the two teams also played 3-on-3 “practice” overtime period just to get ready for the new rule taking affect this season. The Coyotes also scored twice in the overtime stanza to really show some offensive power, which has been lacking, especially last season.

The Arizona Coyotes rookie goalies also performed well in the second game, with Niklas Treutle playing the first two periods and stopping 15 of 16 shots. Adin Hill played the last period, and the overtime, stopping all 16 shots. The Coyotes took this game as well, by a 4-1 tally.

AHL Springfield Falcons’ coach Ron Ralston who is coaching the rookies, was impressed with their effort. He had some interesting line combinations with the “Triple D’, or “3D” line of Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Christian Dvorak joining forces for some real firepower. Their combined scoring stats from junior league play last season alone would intimidate any opponent.

When you add up their combined offensive potency of 123 goals, 187 assists for 310 whopping points, you can clearly see why the Arizona Coyotes management, coaching staff, and we the fans are excited about this upcoming season.

I realize their inflated stats are from junior league play, but the skills are there for these young, talented players to translate those skills in the NHL. Enough so as to suggest that some prospects may win out a roster spot over a veteran.

GM Don Maloney has already stated that there could be as many as three to five open roster spots for forwards. With Domi and Duclair grabbing up two of them, the other one to three could very well be Henrik Samuelsson, Brendan Perlini, Dylan Strome or Christiain Dvorak.

Where does that leave up to three other forwards already on the roster? Good question. With the roster limit set at 23, things should be interesting to see how they turn out. With 22 on their roster right now, including Domi and Duclair, that leaves just one opening, unless a rookie prospect takes a current player’s roster spot.

Kyle Chipchura, and John Scott, could be on the bubble. They will need to show Arizona Coyotes management that they can beat out the aforementioned prospects for roster spots.

My prediction (I love to do this even though I’m usually wrong) is Chipchura could be the odd man out. He was placed on waivers last season, but was reclaimed. Scott is a puzzling choice the team made, but I see him as the enforcer ( I mean why else did they sign him?), leaving Chipchura expendable.

I doubt that Brad Richardson, who is signed until 2018-19 has to worry, as well as Tobias Rieder, who had a pretty good season last year. Steve Downie is not going anywhere either.

It’s what training camp is all about, and every player knows their performance must be top-notch, or else there’s always a young, hungry rookie ready to take their place.

It’s what makes the competition for a roster spot all that more intense… welcome to the NHL.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Rookie Camp Updates And Insights

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