When the Arizona Coyotes called-up Dylan Guenther this past weekend, coach André Tourigny said his stint with the team would be ‘short-term.’ However, Guenther has two goals, one assist and three points in his first two games as he is making it very difficult for management to send him back down to the American Hockey League. 240106_Guenther Media Scrum The 20-year-old forward plays with high-powered speed, but the best attribute of his game has to be his shot. “It’s impressive, that release is second to none,” Nick Schmaltz said about Guenther’s shot. “Not many guys can shoot the puck like that, so he’s got a special talent, he’s a heck of a player and he’s going to be a big part of our organization for years to come.” Guenther plays hungry on the ice. He is clearly trying to earn a roster spot and the respect of the organization, so he has a passion to him that has been truly exciting to watch. The Coyotes desperately needed a spark offensively and Guenther is providing it. His young, ferocious and quick energy has given this team a jolt. During Tuesday night’s 4-3 win against the Boston Bruins, Guenther served a valuable role on a line alongside Logan Cooley and Nick Bjugstad as well as on the first wave of the power play. He logged in a total of 15:53 minutes. While not hinting one way or the other, Tourigny said that the decision to keep Guenther in the NHL is out of his hands, but he knows that management will do what is best for him. “You saw the way we used him,” Tourigny said about Guenther. “Words don't mean much, especially in 2024. I think your actions speak louder than your words, so I think it’s the same thing as a coach, when you trust someone, you put them in that position and I know the organization loves him, it’s not a matter if we love him or not. “A decision has to be made on what’s best for Guenther, what’s best for his future, what’s best for his development, what’s best for our organization in the future. There is no shortage of love for Guenther, that’s not the point.” It’s been over two years since Guenther was drafted by the Coyotes. He has tore it up at every level he played at over the past two years including in the Western Hockey League and most recently in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners. It may be a short sample size, but Guenther has proved through these past two games that he is ready for the NHL and that it might be best for his development to actually stay with the Coyotes. Bill Armstrong and the management group will have to decide what they feel is best for Guenther, but it sure seems like a much tougher decision than originally anticipated.
