Coming off a one-sided 3-1 loss in Anaheim, the Wild has made a roster move at forward.
Versatile forward Charlie Coyle has gotten the dream call from the Wild, General Manager Chuck Fletcher said from tonight's Dallas Stars-Phoenix Coyotes game. Coyle is on his way to Phoenix to likely make his NHL debut Monday against the Coyotes.
Matt Cullen is banged up right now with a sore neck and shoulder. Even if Cullen is able to play Monday, I'd suspect Coyle debuts. My guess is Jared Spurgeon will be put on injured reserve to make room for Coyle on the 23-man roster.
Coyle, 20, has scored 14 goals and 10 assists in 44 games, and in my opinion, has gotten the call over Jason Zucker and Johan Larsson for one big reason -- he is 6-foot-2, 222 pounds and power forward. That element is something the Wild desperately need up front -- again, in my opinion.
Coyle, acquired from the San Jose Sharks in 2011 in the Brent Burns trade, is from East Weymouth, Mass., was a prep star, has a wicked Boston accent and is Tony Amonte's cousin.
He left Boston University after world juniors in Jan. 2012 for Saint John of the Quebec League to play with fellow Wild prospect Zack Phillips. He scored 15 goals and 38 points in 23 regular-season games, then 17 goals and 34 points in 17 playoff games to help lead them to the QMJHL title. He was MVP of the playoffs.
