Arizona Coyotes insider Craig Morgan recently shared that the team is actively looking to trade away prospects and draft picks for lineup upgrades. Morgan says this trade interest is inspired by the success of Sean Durzi, who the Coyotes acquired from Los Angeles this summer. Durzi has 12 points in his first 19 games in Arizona while averaging a monster 23-and-a-half minutes a night, three minutes more than any other Coyotes skater. The Yotes only traded away a 2024 Second Round pick for the 25-year-old defenseman and, after a modest 8-9-2 start to the season, are hoping that lineup upgrades like Durzi could kick them into gear sooner than expected.
Arizona certainly has the pieces to build around. Durzi has provided a strong boost of scoring to the blue-line, alongside J.J. Moser, who has 10 points in 19 games. The duo backs up a forward group that’s leveled out, after a top-heavy start to the year. Arizona currently has nine players with 10 or more points this season, led by Clayton Keller’s 18 points in 19 games. Matias Maccelli has continued to rack up the assists and Logan Cooley is settling into the NHL well. With the right upgrades, there’s reason to be excited about what’s going on in Mullett Arena.
Other Coyotes notes:
- Matt Dumba will miss the team’s Saturday night game against the Vegas Golden Knights with a lower-body injury. When Dumba suffered the injury, or the exact specification of what it is, hasn’t been reveled yet. He will be replaced by 22-year-old Vladislav Kolyachonok. Kolyachonok has three points, six penalty minutes, and a +5 in 11 AHL games this season.
- Head coach Andre Tourigny shared that Travis Dermott is, “getting close” to a return from his upper-body injury. Tourigny said that Dermott will not be available for Friday, but could return soon. He has been out of action since November 8th, when he was announced out for an indefinite period of time.
Very glad to hear Coyotes are looking for upgrades. Having Dermott and Dumba hurt is likely a positive contributor to their 2-0 shut out of Vegas. With a 3/4 pairing upgrade the Coyotes could legit be in the playoff conversation.