The Arizona Coyotes have signed free agent forward Tyler Pitlick. In addition, the Coyotes signed John Hayden as well. Pitlick signed a two-year deal worth $3.5 million with an annual average value of $1.75 million.
Looks like the Coyotes are close to signing depth forwards Tyler Pitlick (Philadelphia) & John Hayden (New Jersey), per source.
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) October 9, 2020
Tyler Pitlick Signs With Coyotes
Originally drafted 31st overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, Pitlick began his career with the Edmonton Oilers. Pitlick, now 28, cracked Edmonton’s lineup just 58 times in three seasons, registering 11 goals and three assists with the Oilers. After signing a three-year contract with the Dallas Stars in 2017–18, Pitlick nearly doubled his career point total in his first year with the Stars. He played 127 games with Dallas where he scored 39 points in just over 13-and-a-half minutes per game.
Last season Pitlick got a fresh start out East after the Philadelphia Flyers sent Ryan Hartman back to Dallas in a one-for-one trade. Pitlick put up eight goals, 12 assists, and a career-high 132 hits in 63 games with Philadelphia last season, his lone year with the Flyers. In total, Pitlick’s got more goals than assists, scoring 42 goals and adding 32 assists for 73 points in 248 games. He contributed two goals and one assist in 16 postseason games with Philadelphia this past summer.
John Hayden Goes To Arizona
Hayden played with the New Jersey Devils last season. He wasn’t given a qualifying offer by the Devils. In 43 games with the Devils last season, he had four points (three goals and one assist). This is just a depth signing for the Coyotes. He is more a fourth-line player than has an edge to his game. Hayden signed for one year with a $750,000 salary.
What This Means for the Future
With a career-high 14 goals and 27 points, the Coyotes are getting a tertiary scorer in Tyler Pitlick. He’s a shoot-first winger who also carries some size at 6′-2″. In a full season, Pitlick will get you about 30 points which is a solid number for a bottom-six member. On a team lacking offensive firepower, Pitlick could get an opportunity to play on the second-line and even see some power-play time.
It’s more likely Pitlick will continue to rack up penalty-kill minutes though, which line-up more with his gritty style of play. Pitlick won’t cost much money, and he’s a solid addition to any bottom-six with some proven depth scoring ability. There may not be an offensive explosion due for Pitlick, but a checking duty with some timely goals of his own in between is all any team could ask for when filling lower-end roster spots.
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