As I reported in the middle of June, this summer was going to be pivotal for the future of Liam Kirk.
The majority of that is out of his control.
The continually rebuilding Coyotes organisation had some big decisions to make regarding their roster, including the influx of exciting prospects at the forward positions.
Arizona’s work building the farm will likely lead to a log jam come training camp and the beginning of the AHL season in October.
On the move
Kaid Oliver (C) Free Agent
Hudson Elynuik (C/LW) Signed with Chicago Wolves
Tyson Empey (C/LW) Signed with Hershey Bears
Adam Cracknell (RW/C) Signed with Henderson Silver Knights
Bokondji Imama (LW) Signed with Ottawa Senators
It’s little surprise that Kaid Oliver shan’t be returning but with the others, there are varying degrees of shock at players moving on.
Adam Cracknell performed admirably as Captain but opted to sign with a team which was dire last season.
Elynuik and Empey were staples in Tucson but have moved on to other AHL clubs whilst it’s a little eye-opening to see Boko Imama receive another NHL deal given his skill set.
Happy to be back
Cameron Hebig (C/W) Re-signed One Year AHL
Reece Vitelli (C/RW) Re-signed One Year AHL
Micah Miller (RW/C) Rookie on a Two-Year AHL deal (played on ATO 23/24)
NHL Deals but not ready for the step-up
Milos Kelemen (LW/RW) NHL Deal
Ben McCartney (LW) NHL Deal
Curtis Douglas (C) NHL Deal
Ryan McGregor (LW/C) Re-signed One Year NHL Deal (RFA)
Nathan Smith (C) Re-signed One Year NHL Deal (RFA)
Travis Barron (LW) Re-signed One Year NHL Deal (RFA)
Bubble Players
Michael Carcone (W/C) Re-signed Two Year NHL Deal
Jean-Sébastien Dea (C/RW) NHL Deal
The New Guys
Justin Kirkland (C/W) Arizona signed from Anaheim
John Leonard (LW/RW) Arizona signed from Nashville
Hunter Drew (RW/D) Arizona signed from Chicago
Josh Doan NHL ELC Eligible for AHL (Rookie)
Aku Räty (RW) NHL ELC Eligible for AHL (Rookie)
It’s conceivable that Doan and/or Räty make the NHL opening night roster depending on what happens between now and the end of September.
My educated guess would be that both are introduced to professional hockey at the AHL level before receiving one or more call-ups through the season.
The acquisitions of Justin Kirkland, John Leonard and Hunter Drew are worrisome, concerning Liam Kirk.
My expectation is none of the three will receive ice time with the Coyotes but rather play top-six minutes in Tucson given their career trajectories to this point.
Those three players plus the six from the ‘NHL Deals but not ready for the step-up’ category make nine.
One of Carcone and Dea will probably be reassigned to the AHL.
Then there is the matter of three players on AHL deals.
That’s thirteen forwards without considering Doan and Räty, or any future signings made by Arizona/Tucson in the upcoming weeks.
Regarding signings, Jan Jeník (RW/C) and Jack McBain (C/LW) are restricted free agents who have yet to agree terms with Arizona.
The latter has played an entire season in the NHL, whilst Jeník is less established and could see time back in the AHL.
The numbers at this stage simply don’t add up. Spending more time in the ECHL is not an enticing prospect for Kirk’s career with Arizona or North America.
UK Hockey Blog 