When in doubt, pick the player with the coolest name.
That might not be the strategy the Phoenix Coyotes are actually employing by signing forward Rob Klinkhammer to a two-year deal on Thursday, yet it’s probably the most entertaining way to think about it.
The 26-year-old boasts the kind of size that could allow him to live up to a fabulous last name, standing at 6-foot-3 and 214 lbs. He collected 11 points in 22 games at the NHL level in 2013, representing a respectable rookie season.
The financial terms weren’t disclosed, but the monetary impact is likely to be minimal.
The Coyotes have plenty of other questions to answer this offseason, even beyond bigger-picture questions about ownership. While goalie Mike Smith represents the biggest conundrum, the team’s forward corps could be in a serious flux. Here’s a list of the scorers who need new deals:
Unrestricted
Kyle Chipchura
Alexandre Bolduc
Chris Conner
Boyd Gordon
Restricted
Mikkel Boedker
Lauri Korpikoski
Defenseman Michael Stone (restricted) and backup Jason LaBarbera (unrestricted) also need new deals - either with the Coyotes or someone else - this summer.
At least the team crossed one name off the list today, though.