Back in the summer, the Los Angeles Kings traded Sean Durzi to the Arizona Coyotes for a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!At the time, the Coyotes needed an offensive-defenseman after Shayne Gostisbehere was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes and Jakob Chychrun was dealt last season to the Ottawa Senators.
With an opening on the power-play, Durzi looks like he can fill the role for Arizona and become an under-the-radar gem defensively.
Durzi’s Profile
Durzi was born in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, right outside of Toronto.
Before he turned pro, Durzi played three and a half years for the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) before being traded to the Guelph Storm during the 2018-19 season.
While on the Attack, he scored 30 goals and had 90 assists for 120 points in 163 games.
Because of his play, Durzi’s favorite team growing up, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected him with the 52nd pick in the 2018 draft.
Soon after, he was immediately traded, along with forward Carl Grundström and a 2019 first-round pick, to the Kings for defenseman Jake Muzzin.
Once in Guelph, Durzi netted 8 goals and assisted 12 times to total 20 points in 17 contests.
As one of the powerhouses in the OHL in 2018-19, the Storm were the champions of the league and Durzi was a huge factor.
During the playoffs, Durzi record 3 goals and 24 assists in 24 games as Guelph lifted the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
Turning Pro
Then, Durzi would start his professional career down in the American Hockey League with the Kings affiliate, the Ontario Reign.
There, he would play two seasons with the Reign and his offensive production went down, 34 points in 78 games.
Later on, in the 2021-22 season, Durzi remained in Ontario for 13 games, but after a explosive start with 5 goals and 11 assists in the first 13 games, the Kings called him up to the NHL.
Ironically, on Nov. 24, 2021, the first game he played in the league was against…The Toronto Maple Leafs.
Special moment as Sean Durzi scores his first NHL goal against his hometown team with his parents in the building pic.twitter.com/BCOApzw0OU
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 25, 2021
Durzi had a goal and an assist in his debut, but the Maple Leafs won 6-2.
Playing 64 games for the Kings that season, Durzi potted 3 goals and assisted 24 times to have 27 points.
Last Season
Last year, Durzi had a solid season, even though his ice time dipped towards the end.
Beginning on the second defensive pair, Durzi and Kings defenseman Matt Roy developed a dependable partnership.
Because of Durzi being offensively-minded from the backend, Roy would stay back and defend when needed.
Additionally, with his attacking play-style, Durzi was put on the second-line power-play.
Before the trade deadline, Durzi took Kings defenseman Drew Doughty’s place on the top power-play unit.
Then, the Kings traded for Vladislav Gavrikov from the Columbus Blue Jackets and Durzi was demoted.
Due to defensive mistakes that he made, Durzi was then sent on the third defensive pair with Alex Edler.
Still, Durzi did keep his spot on the power-play, but was put back on the second unit before the playoffs.
When the season concluded, Durzi ended up with 9 goals and 29 assists for 38 points in 72 games, with 16 points coming on the power-play.
New Place, New Opportunity
On the Coyotes, Durzi should get a similar role, and more.
Slotting in on the second defensive pair, Durzi will have another dependable partner that plays just like Roy, Coyotes’ Juuso Välimäki.
So far this preseason, Durzi has been on the first-line power-play unit and he should keep that role going forward.
Woah. I get that it's still early, but Sean Durzi is currently rostered in 44% of Yahoo leagues. Don't think he qualifies as being a sleeper anymore. The secret is out.
— Corey Abbott (@CoreAbbott) September 30, 2023
For only a second-round pick, picking up Durzi is yet another steal targeted by Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong this offseason.
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Alec Cipollini is a journalist covering the Arizona Coyotes and Phoenix Rising for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his new X account @AlecCipollini
