Coyotes defenseman abandons team before the relocation
Since news of the Coyotes relocation to Salt Lake City became public, speculation has ensued about players leaving the team. Now it appears as though the process has begun as defenseman Patrik Koch will reportedly sign in the KHL.
The Coyotes signed Koch to a standard, one-year, entry-level contract over the summer as a European free agent. He was never drafted to the NHL. Given his age, he was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
$847.5k x 1 year entry-level
Breakdown:
$775k + $72.5k SB ($75k minors)
UFA on expiry
Koch spent the season with the Tucson roadrunners of the AHL. He got into just one game with a Coyotes last month. He recorded 10 penalty minutes in just under ten minutes of time on ice and nothing else for his stat sheet.
This solo lap is yours!
Days ago, a rumor appeared online, linking the blueliner to the KHL. Given everything that is going on with the Coyotes at the moment, it is perhaps not surprising that he would head back to Europe next season, especially considering the fact that he never really got much of a chance at the NHL level.
#NHL #Yotes Patrik Koch --> #KHL
We will have to wait to see if this rumor comes to fruition, but it seems very likely that Koch's short NHL journey has ended.
Source: PuckReporter
Coyotes defenseman Patrik Koch to abandon team prior to relocation
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 16 | 302 ANSWERS Coyotes defenseman abandons team before the relocation Do you think Koch is an NHL caliber defenseman? | ||
| Yes | 121 | 40.1 % |
| No | 181 | 59.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) shakes hands with Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) after overtime win by Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531510.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) shakes hands with Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) after overtime win by Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
