This is what happens when you have the enviable luxury of too much talent. With the Arizona Coyotes showing 10-11 defensemen on their training camp roster, some cuts needed to be made.
Michalek has been a Coyote for a while
The ax fell on Zbynek Michalek, a 12 year NHL veteran who has played eight years with the Arizona Coyotes. He is a shot blocking expert, with 1.72 blocks a game in 609 games with Arizona.
His play is slowing down, evident by his dwindling statistics. He had just two goals, five assists in 70 games last season after signing a two-year contract last season. He still shows a $3.2 million cap hit for the team.
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It is unlikely another team will pick him up with that salary cap this close to the start of the season. So, he could go down to the AHL in Tucson, but there is still time to decide that.
Then, when you examine how many younger, talented right-handed blue-liners are being considered for roster spots, the choices become painful.
Connor Murphy was just signed to a five-year contract, Luke Schenn was inked to a two-year contract, and Michael Stone signed a one-year deal. Then, you still have Jamie McBain on the roster, making four right shooting defensemen on the team. That was what caused Michalek's waiver call.
The numbers game eliminated Dahlbeck's chances
A similar fate was Klas Dahlbeck's. He was up against an improving blue-line, and his play has not especially spectacular. Whereas Michalek was a shot blocker, Dahlbeck was a hit specialist. His 2.51 hits a game over 71 games last season led the team in that category.
Other than that, his youth is an asset, but right now the Coyotes are exploding with youth in their lineup. Dahlbeck is much more likely to be picked up off of waivers than Michalek due to his reasonable $750,000 one-year contract he signed this summer.
The other factor in this decision is the emergence of defenseman Jakob Chychrun. Selected 16th in the NHL Entry draft, the Coyotes seem to be ready to give this 18 year old a shot at playing in the NHL. He has impressed the coaching staff so much with his cool, calm steady play that they decided to go for it.
So, the blue-line may look like this Saturday night when the Coyotes open the season against the tough Philadelphia Flyers.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson/Connor Murphy
Alex Goligoski/Luke Schenn
Kevin Connauton/Jamie McBain
Jakob Chychrun
Of course things will adjust when Michael Stone returns from his leg injury, and Jarred Tinordi from his four game suspension.
Don't forget, Michalek and/or Dahlbeck could clear waivers, presenting an issue with the roster.
All of this needs to be sorted out before 2pm tomorrow when Head Coach/V.P. of Hockey Operations Dave Tippett must submit his list of 23 players to the league office. Only 20 can suit up for the first game.