Arizona Coyotes Final Roster Set For New Season

Final cuts for the Arizona Coyotes included Louis Domingue, Dylan Strome, Matthias Plachta to bring the roster down to the required 23 player limit before the start of the 2015-16 season.

Domingue and Strome were assigned to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL. Dylan Strome was sent back to his junior team, the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League.

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The team recently signed D-man Corey Potter to a one-year two-way contract and assigned him to Springfield. That means the forward who impressed the Coyotes coaching staff (especially HC Dave Tippett) the most was Jordan Martinook. He scored a short-handed goal in pre-season, and was really displaying that he wanted to stay here in Arizona by his excellent all around play. He made the final cut.

Oct 2, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) defends during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The others who made the final roster spots were Max Domi and Anthony Duclair, as expected. We are all looking forward to seeing these two exciting, young prospects playing here in an Arizona Coyotes uniform. The dynamics of their play, especially when they are playing on the same line, will be something to watch. They both possess excellent speed, tenacity and just seem to click together when they’re out there on the ice. Their also good friends off the ice, and that will create some good chemistry which will show up in their play.

Oct 2, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Anthony Duclair (10) looks on during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

I was personally surprised that Strome didn’t make it, especially after just a few days ago GM Don Maloney was stating that he would probably be in the opening night lineup. Something happened to change that thought pattern.

Strome is probably needing to bulk up more, and will be more ready for the rigors of NHL play next season. They could even bring him back for a late season look to see how he has progressed. He definitely is in the center of the team’s rebuild, and he will be better off getting more experience and leading his junior team without Connor McDavid stealing all the thunder.

So, as I like to do at times… if I had made the cuts, I would have either kept Plachta or Strome and waived Kyle Chipchura.

Chipchura’s role is duplicated by John Scott being the tough guy. Why have two of them? It eliminates more offense, which this team sorely needs.

Plachta or Strome would have scored more than Chipchura, whose 14 points didn’t impress anyone. He will be a UFA next season, so if it gets down to keeping him or Dylan Strome at training camp next season, I think the choice is obvious.

So, now that the roster is set, the games begin with the season opener in Los Angeles on Friday, October 9th. The home opener is the following night against Sid Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 2015-16 Arizona Coyotes are set to take to the ice, with some new faces, and a determined motivation to help us all forget last season. That’s the great thing about sports, there’s always next season.

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