The Arizona Coyotes have been beset with early season injuries - Christian Dvorak and Jacob Chychrun are unexpected to play on opening night, and Alex Galchenyuk and Josh Archibald have been put on the injured reserve.
These injuries are unfortunate, but they have opened the door for an unexpected development: Barrett Hayton has made the team.
Drafted fifth overall this past summer (and ranked lower than that) the Coyotes were said to have reached for the pick, but they gushed over him all summer and maintained that he was worth the fifth overall selection.
With the team short of centres,it seems that Clayton Keller move from the wing, and keep Hayton around to watch and learn. According to Craig Morgan, he isn't expected to suit up in game one vs. Dallas on Thursday.
Also according to Morgan, the Coyotes had Strome on a line with Lawson Crouse and Laurent Dauphin in practice today. That's not too bad, Crouse is a player who has potential but who has looked lost at times, and Dauphin has a bit of upside (enough that they reaquired him from Chicago).
This might be the fourth line to start, but I fully expect Strome to force the Coyotes to play him higher. Some are down on him because he hasn't made the NHL yet, but he's got a ton of talent and can still become a #1 centre if everything goes well.
I am hoping the Coyotes make the playoffs this year, but regardless, this is going to be a fun team to watch with Strone, Keller and maybe even Hayton.
Whether Hayton plays much or not, it's still impressive he lasted this long in camp and I think he's going to be a really good player.
That's all for today. The NHL kicks off tomorrow and that is great. See you then.