As mentioned in previous articles, Liam Kirk’s career has been littered with adversity since being drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in 2018.

The seventh-round draft selection had his first season in North American pro-hockey cut short by an injury.

A knee injury that required surgery, curtailing the 2021-22 campaign and ensuring an extended rehab that would keep him out of contention for representing Great Britain at the most recent World Championships.

With no setbacks in his recovery, Kirk made a strong impression at rookie camp and in the prospect games.

An invite to the main camp was almost a shoo-in, but there would be no ice time in the NHL pre-season games.

It was likely a double-edged sword for Arizona.

Ensuring the GB forward did not reinjure himself or push too hard too quickly.
Also, the NHL club is trying to piece together what is essentially a brand-new NHL team.

Cut from Arizona’s camp and reassigned on Friday 30th September to Tucson, Kirk has been back with the Tucson Roadrunners for well over a week now.
In the first of a pair of exhibition games against Henderson, Kirk recorded a goal and an assist.

It’s an important season for Tucson which has had a turbulent six-season history.
The Roadrunners have won just 36 of their last 104 games through the past two campaigns.

They have won just a handful of playoff games and never made it out of the first round.

With this year’s roster, Tucson has a team, on paper at least, that should be very competitive.

The goaltending looks solid, with Arizona prospects Ivan Prosvetov and David Tendick sharing the load.
Goaltending call-ups harmed the Roadrunners last season but that should not be so much of an issue this year.
Arizona claiming Connor Ingram off waivers adds another layer of protection and should he be sent down to the AHL then Tucson will have one of the best at that level.

The defense core has a little more of an unknown factor to it.

Victor Söderström will obviously be an asset if he remains at the AHL level.
The same can be said for Vladislav Kolyachonok, who had a good season last year split between Arizona and Tucson.

The two fascinating unknowns are the Czech pair Lukas Klok and Ronald Knot, signed by Arizona from the KHL.

The forward group looks far more robust for 2022-23 with some excellent additions.

Adam Cracknell might be 37 years of age now, but his leadership and experience will only be a positive for the roster.

Jean-Sébastien Dea and Laurent Dauphin were teammates in the Montreal organisation and will have playing in the NHL foremost in their thoughts.
Both are proven offensive producers at the AHL level, and I would not be surprised to see them pair up on the second line.

Michael Carcone and Jan Jenik finished third and second in team scoring last season.

If Mattias Machelli were not to stick in the NHL, Tucson would have their top scorer from last year back in the fold.

Ben McCartney is due a big second season after an excellent rookie campaign.
Colin Thiessen and Nathan Smith (who played ten NHL games last year) are rookies graduating from the NCAA, who have already made a positive impression through camp.

Much will depend on how Arizona conducts business, injuries, suspensions and call-ups but Tucson looks better set for 2022-23.

That will only benefit Liam Kirk, who I initially peg in a middle-six role, potentially starting on the third line.
He was an asset on the power play and my expectation he will be afforded that opportunity.

Given the make-up of the current roster and bottom six forwards, penalty-killing duties will likely not be on the radar for Kirk.
It is a role he could perform I think he may be provided with a chance later in the season given strong performances and remaining healthy.

Playoff qualification will be an expectation, with seven of nine teams making it to the postseason.
Tucson’s schedule is favourable but the first fourteen games will go a long way to determining their fate.

Six of the first eight games are on the road, including a visit to San Jose in their brand-new facility and the rebranded Calgary Flames.
A six-game homestand follows, which the Roadrunners will have twice during the campaign.

A tough beginning on the road will put a lot of pressure on the return home.
In the same regard, a strong start coupled with home cooking in November could be a recipe for success.

Tucson begins the season on the road in Henderson, playing a Friday night and Saturday matinee against the Vegas affiliate.

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