When General Manager Bill Armstrong was hired in 2020, it was the beginning of a new era for Armstrong and the Arizona Coyotes. After several trades in which Armstrong acquired a ton of draft capital, those picks are slowly becoming NHL players. Since the 2021 draft, Armstrong has made 42 total picks, including eight first-round picks. From there, he has produced Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and Dmitri Simashev.
While Cooley and Guenther are already established in Utah, and Simashev is on the way, many other prospects fly under the radar. Sure, many players drafted into the NHL never step on the ice at the NHL or American Hockey League (AHL) level, but that's the reality. That said, many prospects always find success and slowly but surely work their way up the ranks.
That's the rebuilding process, and Armstrong and Utah are in that phase. The Tucson Roadrunners in particular have a ton of promising players coming up through the ranks who will undoubtedly be a fun team to watch next season.
Lamoreux, Duda and Schuber lead the Roadrunners blue line
Maverick Lamoureux
Maverick Lamoureux has been plagued by injuries the past few seasons with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). This season he has appeared in just 39 games, scoring nine goals and 33 points. The 6-foot-7 defenceman is blessed with length and reach due to his massive size. Like Josh Doan, he could potentially play a few games for Utah towards the end of the season, which would be a big win for Armstrong and the team. Lamoureux will likely see plenty of ice time in Tucson, but hopefully he can stay healthy and make progress in his development.
Artyom Duda
Artyom Duda finally signed his entry-level contract a few days ago, which means he is finally a member of the Utah Hockey Club. After three appeals to the NCAA at the University of Maine, he was rejected because he played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia, and was forced to change direction. So he will play the second half of the 2023-24 season at Toronto Metro University. Duda is a very smooth skater and has all the offensive instincts, so it is good to see him finally sign, but now the battle to get from the AHL to the NHL begins for the young Russian.
Maximilian Schuber
It's rare for a sixth-round pick to succeed in the NHL because of the battle that begins after being drafted. Not only that, but the necessary leap is difficult enough in itself. But Maximilian Zuber proved the odds wrong and looks to be another bargain for Armstrong. Last season with the Roadrunners, he had seven goals and 28 points in 70 games. The 6-foot-3 defenseman has a lot of appealing traits, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him in the NHL at some point this season, but time will tell.
Maticka, Lipkin and Lutz lead the charge
Miko Maticka
Matikka flourished in the United States Hockey League after being drafted in 2022, especially after being traded midway through the season. However, he moved on to the University of Denver in the NCAA last season and flourished there. As a freshman, he recorded 20 goals and 33 points in 43 games. Matikka should bring his goal-scoring ability to the Roadrunners, which is his biggest strength, along with his physical play. Matikka is a rising star, but we expect him to grow big this season with the Roadrunners.
Sam Lipkin
Sam Lipkin, like Zuber, was a seventh-round pick in 2021 and has had great success since then. At the NCAAs with Quinnipiac University, he scored 43 points in his freshman season and 35 points last season. When he signed with the Roadrunners last season, he appeared in seven games but only had one assist. Lipkin brings a wealth of experience to the Roadrunners' locker room and should play a key role in their offense this season.
Julian Lutz
Last but not least, 2022 second-round draft pick Julian Latz has the potential to make some noise along I-10 with the Roadrunners this season. Playing in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers in 2023-24, Latz recorded 24 goals and 68 points in 50 games. He showcased his playmaking ability, which is one of the main reasons he was drafted. His high hockey IQ should see him play a lot of minutes in Tucson, giving Tucson fans another reason to show up to the game every night.
The Roadrunners will be available to watch in 2024-25
Thus far, the Coyotes have not had much success and that has reflected in the AHL. It's a shame considering how exciting this young team could be. Right now, the Coyotes have a shot at not only making the playoffs, but a young roster with players named and all of whom can develop. Coach Steve Potvin must be excited about what he can do with the roster he has at hand as there is a ton of talent throughout the roster. The Roadrunners are primed to make a playoff run in 2024-25 and hopefully go deeper than they did in the 2023-24 season.
