Arizona Coyotes Assign Zbynek Michalek To AHL Tucson
The Arizona Coyotes have assigned veteran defenseman Zbynek Michalek to the AHL.
Prior to the start of the regular season, the Arizona Coyotes waived Zbynek Michalek.
Along with Klas Dahlbeck, the veteran defender was deemed surplus to requirements. Dahlbeck was claimed by the Carolina Hurricanes, however Michalek remained with the Coyotes.
There was speculation over whether or not he would be assigned to the AHL but that move never came.
Until today.
Here’s the team’s press release on Z’s assignment:
"Arizona Coyotes General Manager John Chayka announced today that the Coyotes have assigned defenseman Zbynek Michalek to the Tucson Roadrunners, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate (AHL).The 33-year-old Michalek has registered 42-136-178 and 322 penalty minutes (PIM) in 781 career NHL games with the Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild.The 6-foot-2, 210-pound native of Jindrichuv Hradec, CZ has recorded 32-108-140 and 258 PIM in 609 career games with the Coyotes."
Z’s departure gives John Chayka flexibility to go with his younger, fresher options on the roster.
Jamie McBain has survived training camp and started opening night against long odds.
Rookie Jakob Chychrun, who plays the opposite side, also contributed to Dahlbeck and Michalek’s departures.
Craig Morgan reported today that both Michael Stone and Kevin Connauton are with the team on their six-game trip to the East Coast. That suggests they may be playing sooner rather than later.
The news about Zbynek Michalek‘s assignment comes as no surprise, but is still bittersweet for Arizona Coyotes fans.
Michalek has played the 7th most games in franchise history (609) and spent parts of nine years in the desert with the Yotes.
He was as much a fixture in the lineup as any of the current veterans, and looms larger over desert hockey as a whole than departed names like Antoine Vermette and Boyd Gordon.
John Chayka is making a habit of nailing these tough calls.
Z isn’t the defender he used to be, and with younger, less injury prone bodies behind him it was only a matter of time before he followed some of the other aging veterans out the door.
As a fan, this is the duality of rooting for a team.
You want management to be constantly improving the product on the ice, but it also tugs your heartstrings when a player who has battled long term for your organization is handed walking papers.
Make no mistake, however.
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Michalek in Tucson is what’s best for the Arizona Coyotes.
Depending on his approach moving forward, having Z around to mentor young defenders like Anthony DeAngelo, Kyle Wood, and Dakota Mermis can be a great thing for the Roadrunners as well.