Similar to their signing of free agent forward, Zach Sanford, yesterday afternoon, the Arizona Coyotes continue to add some depth to their forward core. Today, the team announced they have agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with forward Justin Kirkland. Per the team’s policy, the Coyotes do not typically share the financial details of the contract with the public, but it would be safe to assume Kirkland will earn around $775K at the NHL level.
Drafted 62nd overall by the Nashville Predators back in the 2014 NHL Draft, Kirkland has spent the better part of the last seven seasons playing in the AHL but did suit up in seven games for the Anaheim Ducks last year. After his entry-level contract with the Predators reached its conclusion, Kirkland signed on with the Calgary Flames organization, signing three straight one-year deals with the team, only playing for their AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat.
Kirkland’s most successful year came in 2021-22, scoring 25 goals and 23 assists for Stockton in 66 games. He finished fourth on the team in points and tallied 12 points in 13 playoffs on the Heat’s run to the 2022 Western Conference Finals. Similarly to Sanford, there is a slight possibility that Kirkland could find himself featuring in the Coyotes’ bottom six, but will likely spend the majority of the season with their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners.
Another fail by the Preds scouting staff.