Arizona Coyotes Starting Lineup Is Starting To Take Shape

After cutting five more players to bring the roster down to 26, the Arizona Coyotes are moving closer to a starting lineup for their season opener in Los Angeles in just one week

On Wednesday, GM Don Maloney announced five more roster moves to bring the player count closer to the 23 man limit required by next week.

The following players got their shipping papers:

Left wing Henrik Samuelsson
Defenseman Philip Samuelsson
Defenseman Derek Smith
Right wing Jordan Swarz
Defenseman Corey Potter – who was released from his professional tryout agreement and then signed to a one-year two way contract later in the day.

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That leaves 16 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goalies.

So, who stays and who goes? That is something that Head Coach Dave Tippett, and GM Don Maloney will assess after tonight’s final pre-season game against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River arena.

The seven defensemen seem to be set with OEL, Michalek, Grossmann, Stone, Murphy, Dahlback, and newly acquired Stefan Elliott.

One player who thought he might get on the opening night roster was Henrik Samuelsson. He has an injury where his muscles tightened up, causing him pain to skate. He will more than likely be back when call-ups occur, and so might his brother Philip.

The three cuts which need to happen will more than likely include goalie Louis Domingue. Unless a veteran or two gets cut (I’m thinking Scott, and or Chipchura) I don’t see how there will be room for Dylan Strome, Jordan Martinook, and Matthias Plachta. They may be fighting for one or two jobs.

Strome has impressed enough to perhaps give him one of those vacancies. Plachta has been described by Head Coach Dave Tippett as possessing the hardest wrist shot in camp. Martinook may be vulnerable there, but he too has impressed Coach Tippett. Plachta has less experience in his career, and with that wicked wrist shot, Tippett may covet him more than Martinook.

It’s almost pretty well set in concrete that Max Domi and Anthony Duclair will join Antione Vermette on a line together, as they have had some good chemistry together. Since Domi and Duclair feed off each other so well, that line can really bring some much needed offense to the team, who was shutout the last two pre-season games to Vancouver and Edmonton.

Another intriguing line possibility will be the Tobias Rieder, Brad Richardson, and Shane Doan.

The team is overloaded with five centers, and that’s another reason Chipchura could be given his walking papers. He’s going to be an UFA next season, and makes $ .925M. He only had four goals and 10 assists last season, and was placed on waivers twice.

Speaking of waivers, it was announced today that Bryan Bickell, of the Cup winning Blackhawks was placed on waivers. His $ 4million cap hit salary may not attract too many takers, unless the Hawks pick up part of that salary. I don’t see the Arizona Coyotes making a move to get Bickell with their roster almost set, and a youth movement in place. They won’t spend the money either, we all know that.

My prediction: There are 22 players on the roster now, including Domi and Duclair. I see Chipchura being released, as he pretty much duplicates the abilities of John Scott, whom we all know was brought in to protect the young players.

That being said, that leaves two openings to go to Strome, Plachta, or Martinook. I’ve gotta go with Strome and Plachta.

After tonight’s pre-season finale, we’ll know exactly what the final roster will look like. After tonight, they all count.

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