The Arizona Coyotes announced that they have cut 11 players from their training camp roster and the 12th overall pick from 2014, Brendan Perlini, was included in that list.
“Rookie camp was very good for him (but he) just wasn’t able to translate to an NHL level yet,” Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. “He’s a young player that still has lots of work to do and that’s going to happen. There’s a process you have to go through and he made huge strides this year. He’ll go back and continue to push his game forward in junior.”
Even if he won’t be making the team, the 19-year-old forward impressed the Coyotes with his skill level and speed.
Perlini will continue his development by playing for the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs where he had 26 goals and 60 points in 43 games last season. He’ll be competing against Christian Dvorak, who was also included on the Coyotes’ list of cuts.
Dvorak’s another highly regarded young forward, but Arizona has a lot of prospects that fit that description and that makes it easier for them to be patient with him and Perlini.
“With Max (Domi), Anthony Duclair, Dylan Strome, Henrik Samuelsson, newcomer Matthias Plachta and the strong play of Jordan Martinook all competing for the opening day roster, plus the need to get out established NHL players ready for the regular season, Dave Tippett and I feel this is the prudent, long-term decision,” Coyotes GM Don Maloney said.
Arizona has 31 players left on its roster.