Sean Durzi has been traded to the Coyotes for a Montreal 2nd pick. How does the 6’0”, 194lb right-shot defenseman fit into the Coyotes present and future?
Present
After rumors started circulating that the Coyotes might be very active buyers, they made their first swing. Sean Durzi is a very offensively inclined defenseman who should be running a power play, something the Coyotes lacked after Gostisbehere was traded at the deadline. Despite his defensive questions, he is also a very willing shot blocker and puts his body on the line willingly. He immediately becomes their strongest offensive threat from the blue line and should help Keller and the rest of the forwards find more success with his breakout passing and overall ability to run an offense. Currently, there is a strong chance Durzi plays on the first pair with either Moser or Valimaki, and he will almost definitely start out as the PP1 QB on a unit that features Keller and possibly features Schmaltz. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a boost to the 9g-29a-38p line he posted last season. Durzi fills a major hole needed on this team as they try to be more competitive this offseason.
Future
Not only does Durzi fill a role that no one on the current roster fills, but there also is a lack of that in the system. Artyom Duda may be the only person who matches that role, and he’s likely still 2-3 years away. Durzi is signed to a 1.7 million dollar contract that ends this season and is an RFA after. While there stands a chance he could be a piece moved at the deadline, I’d have to imagine he’s being viewed as a major piece moving forward. At 24, he’s still young enough to be in his prime as the team starts battling for playoff position (hopefully more). It also gives the Coyotes an in-between player who can hold down a top spot for a couple of seasons, so if they don’t draft that guy this year and do it next draft, they have a more competent player in that role buying time before the drafted player is ready for it. And once that happens should be more than able to play down in the lineup as they add more talent and help make the push toward the playoffs going strongly.
Conclusion
While not the biggest name, Durzi fits his expected role, and the team needs better than most names on the rumor mill. He will be a steady hand offensively that the team needs, and don’t forget, Andre Tourigney has managed to get the most out of nearly every player he’s coached in the NHL. This is a strong match, and if you are a fantasy hockey player, he is a sneaky add potentially in those drafts, as he will receive a larger role in AZ.
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