Arizona Coyotes sign forward Zach Sanford to one-year deal

The Arizona Coyotes have continued building ahead of the 2023-24 season, signing forward Zach Sanford to a one-year contract.

Roster building for the upcoming season is in full swing for the Arizona Coyotes, who have already signed a handful of NHL-ready veterans since the start of free agency on July 1st.

Now, general manager Bill Armstrong have brought in one-time Stanley Cup champion Zach Sanford, who has agreed to a one-year, $800,000 contract.

Sanford, originally drafted in the second round (61st overall) of the 2013 Draft by the Washington Capitals, has racked up 305 regular season appearances in the NHL with the likes of the Capitals, St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets and, most recently, Nashville Predators.

It was with the Blues that Sanford has had the most success, registering 71 points (36 goals, 35 assists) in 183 regular season games with the club, helping to lift the Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season.

Sanford spent the majority of the 2022-23 season playing in the AHL for the Predators’ affiliates, the Milwaukee Admirals, where he scored 12 goals and had 28 points in 45 games.

The 28-year-old stands at 6-foot-4, 206lbs and has predominantly played a physical bottom-six role in the NHL, putting up 438 career hits as well as putting in some strong defensive shifts, with 221 blocked shots.

He is an experienced player that could be useful around some of the team’s younger players, but is more than likely expected to start the new season playing with the Tucson Roadrunners, with the opportunity to be called up to the major league as and when the Coyotes deem it necessary.

His size and physicality fits into Armstrong’s recent approach to player additions, with all of this year’s draft picks coming in above 6-foot, and his connection to the GM’s time in St. Louis will undoubtedly make it clear as to what the team are getting from him as a player.