Beginning the year in the minors with the Tuscon Roadrunners, Dylan Guenther has taken full advantage of his small sample size while being back on the Arizona Coyotes.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!With Jason Zucker serving a three-game suspension, there was a vacant spot open in Arizona’s forward core that they had to fill.
As a result, Guenther was recalled from the AHL on Saturday and the team gave him his first shot back since playing 33 games last season, scoring six goals and assisting nine times with the Coyotes.
Back with a Vengeance
Penciled into the starting lineup against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night, he made his presence felt in his return to Mullett Arena with a goal.
Guenther stole the puck from Connor Hellebuyck as the goaltender was trying to play it, zipped around the net and scored a wraparound in his first NHL game of the season.
Watch out for Guenther, the pickpocket 💰 https://t.co/VEP9UegvEn pic.twitter.com/fXkEkM6dyS
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) January 8, 2024
Even though the Coyotes lost 6-2, Guenther was one of the brighter spots on the team with him creating plays and utilizing his speed.
Speaking on his NHL season debut, he reflected on his performance and how the emotions he had going in slowly evaporated as the game went along.
“I felt good, I thought I skated well, especially early,” Guenther said. “I got into the game early, had a good first shift, got in on the forecheck and I think that allowed me to get my nerves down and settle into the game. There was a few plays that I wish I could have back and some stuff to clean up just with less time and space out there, but I thought I transitioned pretty well.”
Summing up his return, Coyotes head coach André Tourigny was proud of Guenther and the impact he had on the game.
“He (Guenther) was really, really good,” Tourigny said. “He had a spark, he was our best player.”
Guenther is in-line to play tomorrow night versus the Boston Bruins, the last game of Zucker’s suspension.
Once Zucker returns, Guenther is expected to head back down to Tucson.
In 29 games with the Roadrunners, Guenther recorded 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points.
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Alec Cipollini is a reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
