Coyotes claim Jets center Alexander Burmistrov off waivers
Jan 2, 2017, 11:35 AM | Updated: 12:24 pm
Winnipeg Jets center Alexander Burmistrov (91) skates with the puck against Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
(AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Arizona Coyotes have acquired another center.
Arizona claimed Winnipeg Jets center Alexander Burmistrov off waivers Monday.
He won’t be joining the team right away, however.
New Coyotes C Alex Burmistrov must go thru immigration process (similar to Tobi Rieder's). Will be a few days at least before he joins team.
— Craig Morgan (@craigsmorgan) January 2, 2017
The 25-year-old was the eighth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft. Instead of spending some time in junior hockey after being drafted like former No. 3 overall pick Dylan Strome is for Arizona currently with the Erie Otters, Burmistrov played for the then Atlanta Thrashes at the age of 18.
Burmistrov (6-1, 181 pounds) has yet to reach the 30-point mark for a season. His career-high for points is 28 in the 2011-12 season. He played in 23 games for the Jets this season, accumulating two points in that time. He was a healthy scratch for the last 10 games.
“He’s someone our scouts identified as having greater potential than he has currently shown,” GM John Chayka said in a release. “We’re hopeful a change will help his game.”
To make room for Burmistrov on the 23-man roster, the Coyotes placed right wing Ryan White (lower-body injury) on injured reserve. Burmistrov joins Peter Holland as centers acquired by the team in the last month. Josh Jooris can also play center.
