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Zac Rinaldo

Arizona Not Expected To Re-Sign Four Free Agents

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The Arizona Coyotes have agreed to terms with one of their 2019 free agents, but it doesn’t look like that will happen with any of those scheduled to hit the market this summer. Craig Morgan of AZ Sports reports that all four of Brad Richardson, Luke Schenn, Kevin Connauton and Zac Rinaldo are likely to go unsigned before July 1st and become unrestricted free agents.

Richardson’s fate was likely sealed when the Coyotes traded for Marcus Kruger recently, while Connauton has been clear that he’s hoping for a bigger role—one that might have to come on another team. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Coyotes go after some bigger names this offseason in either free agency or trade, hoping to support their young players and get back to the playoffs in 2018-19. That said, all four of the above names could find jobs around the league as they still represent useful depth options.

Schenn, a former fifth-overall pick, has already played 708 games in the NHL and won’t turn 29 until after the 2018-19 season starts. Though he never did become the shutdown first-pairing defender that Toronto thought they were picking, he’s not the worst option for a third-pairing right-handed defenseman that play a physical game and help on the penalty kill.

Connauton too brings some upside on defense, after recording 21 points in 73 games while seeing the ice just over 15 minutes a night. His 11 goals all came at even-strength, and he could have some even better numbers if given an opportunity. That’s what he’ll look for, but it’s not clear who will be willing to give him a full-time role right away.

Western Notes: Coyotes Free Agency, Perron, Jarnkrok, Fowler

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With the team comfortable at both goaltending and defense, the Arizona Coyotes are expected to be add to their forward lines this offseason. Don’t be surprised if Arizona looks into the free agent market this summer and attempts to grab itself a top-six forward, according to AZCentral’s Richard Morin.

A team with ample cap space, Arizona has spent the last few years building through the draft and then this past season made multiple trades to upgrade its roster, acquiring the likes of Derek Stepan, Antti Raanta, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Richard Panik. The scribe writes the franchise, especially after an impressive second-half run, might look to dip its feet into the free agency market. While acquiring center John Tavares is not a likely scenario, the team might be able to snag an elite winger such as James van Riemsdyk, Patrick Maroon or Rick Nash. The team will have a couple of their own free agents they must sign, including veteran Brad Richardson, Zac Rinaldo, Kevin Connauton and Luke Schenn (as well as try to extend defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson), but the team should have the assets to upgrade their offense.

Morin does also admit that general manager John Chayka might also go back to the trade route as well, but at the same time, the team believes they will see an uptick in production from rookie Clayton Keller and now believe that prospect Dylan Strome is ready to handle full-time duties in the NHL.

Zac Rinaldo Suspended Six Games

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Zac Rinaldo must be used to this phone call by now. The Arizona Coyotes forward has been suspended six games for his latest illegal incident, punching Colorado defenseman Samuel Girard. Rinaldo has now been suspended five times in his NHL career. The Department of Player Safety had offered Rinaldo an in-person hearing to defend himself, but he declined and instead had a phone hearing today with the league.

After delivering a hit on Nathan MacKinnon, Rinaldo grabs Girard and throws a punch without the Colorado defenseman even looking at him. As the accompanying video explains:

It is important to note that while we accept Rinaldo’s explanation that he believed that because Girard had approached him after the hit, meant that Girard was anticipating a fight, ultimately the video shows this is not the case. Whatever Girard’s intentions, he gives Rinaldo no clear indication that he is a willing combatant.

While he doesn’t qualify as a repeat offender in terms of the increased salary sacrificed during his suspension, the DoPS takes into account all of his former disciplinary matters. Rinaldo has also been fined by the league twice and received suspensions in the minor leagues.

The 27-year old will be kept out of the lineup until January 11th.

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