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‘He has earned the opportunity’ -- Coyotes recall 2014 first-round pick Perlini

Arizona Coyotes Prospect Development Camp

Brendan Perlini

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Brendan Perlini is off to an impressive start this season with the Tuscon Roadrunners in the American Hockey League. The scoring has been there. The production has been there.

Averaging a point per game with 11 goals through 16 contests in the minors, Perlini is on his way to the NHL. The Arizona Coyotes officially recalled the 20-year-old forward -- selected 12th overall in the 2014 draft -- from Tuscon on Sunday.

The rebuilding, youthful Coyotes are last in the Pacific Division right now, stuck with eight wins through 23 games.

They gave up 60 shots to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday but managed to earn a single point thanks to the play of their goalie Mike Smith.

The Coyotes are on the road Monday and Tuesday this week. They’ll open this quick trip against Columbus, although it hasn’t been determined when Perlini will get into the lineup.

But with a back-to-back situation on the road, it seems likely he’ll make his NHL debut at some point in the next two days.

“Brendan possesses elite speed and goal scoring ability,” said general manager John Chayka. “He has led the AHL in scoring early on and we believe he has earned the opportunity to show what he can do at the NHL level.”