GM Don Maloney mentioned he was not done making moves; this one was a no-brainer.
When the Arizona Coyotes signed BIG John Scott (all 6’ 8”, 260 of him) this summer, I was as surprised as anyone who follows the local team. What was Maloney thinking? Maybe that the team had been pushed around too many times by the bigger, tougher teams like the Kings or Sharks, and they weren’t going to take it anymore.
More From Howlin’ Hockey -> Arizona Coyotes First Five Games Prediction
More from Coyotes News
- 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
Of course, I had the feeling when roster cuts were being made that Scott, or Chipchura would need to go, as two enforcers is overload. I actually got in Scott’s corner, since Chipchura wasn’t doing much offensively, and Scott is bigger (an understatement) and could protect the smaller forwards on the Arizona Coyotes.
But, to my surprise (until now) both remained at the conclusion of training camp. That made me thinks that something is going on. A trade? A call-up of a player sent to the AHL after camp broke?
If Scott, who was placed on waivers Thursday morning is not claimed by noon on Friday by one of the other 29 NHL teams, at no cost to them, the Arizona Coyotes will have two different options to proceed; they can send him to any AHL affiliate (probably their own in Springfield), or allow him to play up to ten games before assigning him without the need of a second waiver process.
I doubt that another team will pick him up, but you never know. If that happens, and the Arizona Coyotes have an available roster spot, what shall they do with it?
My suggestion if the spot becomes available (and I see no reason to keep Scott around for ten games, for what?) is to bring Henrik Samuelsson back up. He got hurt during training camp, and has excellent chemistry with Hanzal and Domi. He’s a big kid who worked hard on his skating and conditioning over the summer in hopes he would be on the final roster. Who knows, he still could be. It certainly makes much more sense than keeping Scott in a wasted roster spot. They can ease Samuelsson in slowly, and see what he can do.
A couple other options from Springfield would be Lucas Lessio, who got a good long look in Arizona last season (26 games, 2g, 3a), or Matthias Plachta, who lasted until the final cuts out of camp. Let’s face it; any of these three options is better than watching John Scott. The team needs more youth, and scoring, and any of the three options above will certainly accomplish that over Scott.
*** UPDATE: Scott cleared waivers, and according to HC Tippett he’s not going anywhere. Well, maybe not for now.
Now, let’s go out there and defeat the L.A. Kings – we can do that even without John Scott
Next: Arizona Coyotes Release New Promo Video- A Pack Apart
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
“