Coyotes Set Roster For Opener; Waive Murray and Jones

[HordiBrusk29]

Coyotes Head Coach Wayne Gretzky on Tuesday announced the roster for Saturday's season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Jobing.com Arena.

It includes:

FORWARDS
Mikkel Boedker, Daniel Carcillo, Shane Doan, Todd Fedoruk, Martin Hanzal, Olli Jokinen, Enver Lisin, Brian McGrattan, Peter Mueller, Kevin Porter, Steven Reinprecht, Viktor Tikhonov, Kyle Turris, Daniel Winnik.

DEFENSEMEN
David Hale, Ed Jovanovski, Zbynek Michalek, Derek Morris, Kurt Sauer, Keith Yandle.

GOALIES
Ilya Bryzgalov, Mikael Tellqvist.

Defensemen Matt Jones and Jonas Ahnelov, and forwards Joel Perrault and Garth Murray are not on the roster.

Ahnelov played well in the preseason but broke a finger while blocking a shot against the Anaheim Ducks last Friday. He will start the season on the injured-reserve list.

“Had he played (in the preseason finale against Los Angeles on Saturday), we would have more of a feel of where he’s at,” Gretzky said. “With his broken finger, he needs time to heal that.”

Perrault was assigned to the injured non-roster list after suffering a concussion before training camp. Due to the fact Perrault could not pass the camp physical, he is currently on the non-roster list. Once Perrault becomes healthy and passes a physical, he will return to the active roster and be assigned accordingly.

Murray and Jones need to pass through waivers before being assigned to the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL, the team's top affiliate.

Gretzky said cutting Murray was difficult.

“I told him that timing is everything,” Gretzky said. “The reality is he had a great camp and had he been here last year, he probably would be here for Saturday night’s game. It’s just our skill level has gone up. Garth did everything we asked of him. I told him from a selfish point of view that I hope he doesn’t get picked up (off waivers). I hope he goes down there because there are always injuries and when he does come back he will do a good job for us. That was a tough one for us.”

First-year players making the Coyotes roster include Boedker, Turris, Tikhonov and Porter. Newcomers filling the roster include Olli Jokinen, Todd Fedoruk, Brian McGrattan, David Hale and Kurt Sauer.

Ten players on the 22-man roster were drafted by the Coyotes.

[R.Middleton]

I gotta feeling we're gonna see a lot of scratches with Fedoruk and McGrattan with gayass Enver Lisin and Porter making the team. Since those guys are young guys, they won't be in the press box.

[caps05]

Good to see Fridge and McGrattan on the roster to start.

[HordiBrusk29]

I think one of them will be sent down sooner rather than later. That being said, I agree, McGrattan will definitely see his fair share of time in the press box.

[Sugden Flu]

Those were some kind words from Wayno about Murray. There just wasn't any room for Garth with Gratts, Carcillo, and the Fridg allready pencilled into the lineup.

[Isles4life]

I highly doubt we'll ever see Fedoruk and McGrattan in the lineup together, but we can hope.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

I highly doubt we'll ever see Fedoruk and McGrattan in the lineup together, but we can hope.

I wouldn't necessarily say that. Fedoruk will likely be a regular player in the line up. So against teams like Anaheim I'd expect McGrattan to be dressed most of the time as well. So they'll both be in the line up from time to time.

[lakingsfan19]

Wow fedoruk as your everyday dressed heavy? I think that is a mistake, still think the biggest problem the yotes have is the great one being the coach.

[HordiBrusk29]

It's no secret that Fedoruk is a better player than McGrattan. Fedoruk was brought in to be a regular player, not an enforcer. I'm guessing McGrattan will be inserted into the line up when needed.

[flyersrule]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

It's no secret that Fedoruk is a better player than McGrattan. Fedoruk was brought in to be a regular player, not an enforcer. I'm guessing McGrattan will be inserted into the line up when needed.

i bought tickets to a flyers vs coyotes game in hopes of a cote vs mcgrattan rematch. hopefully he earns a regular spot on the 4th line next to carcillo.

[lakingsfan19]

Originally Posted by flyersrule

i bought tickets to a flyers vs coyotes game in hopes of a cote vs mcgrattan rematch. hopefully he earns a regular spot on the 4th line next to carcillo.

Sorry bud, Carcillo is no 4th liner. He belongs right now on line 3 or even maybe 2

[HordiBrusk29]

As of right now Carcillo is actually playing on the 1st line. I don't think that will last too long though.

[flyersrule]

Originally Posted by lakingsfan19

Sorry bud, Carcillo is no 4th liner. He belongs right now on line 3 or even maybe 2

hell, i dont even care what line he is on as long as he plays.

[HordiBrusk29]

Don't worry. As long as he's healthy and not suspended he'll be playing.

[mike56]

i hope murray goes to s.a.one of the rookies will fade and he can come up.