If you want another hook for tonight’s Arizona Coyotes - San Jose Sharks game on NBCSN, keep an eye on Coyotes rookie Dylan Strome.
While tons of young players are making an impression so far in 2016-17, Strome’s been a regular healthy scratch. He last got in the Coyotes lineup on Oct. 21, but he’s getting back in tonight.
His return to the lineup isn’t the only reason he’ll be interesting to watch, as it looks like he’ll form an intriguing line with Jamie McGinn and Anthony Duclair. That’s quite the opportunity to make an impression.
“Hopefully we’ll see his level rise,” Dave Tippett said. " ... We could use his skill in there.”
It’s also interesting to note that Tippett said Strome has been working with the team’s skating coach:
Strome has one assist to show for his three games so far. To be fair to the 19-year-old, he was only averaging about 13 minutes per contest, so maybe this will be more of a “real” chance?
Tippett repeatedly notes how convenient it is to send players to the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate, yet as Five for Howling notes, the team is in a bind because they can’t do that with Strome. They face the decision of either burning a year off of his entry-level contract with the big club or sending him back to junior (where he has little left to prove).
His performance against the Sharks could make a big difference in that decision-making process.