Arizona Coyotes promote Christian Fischer, re-assign Laurent Dauphin

Yesterday the Arizona Coyotes made waves by re-assigning Anthony Duclair to the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League. Today proved they aren’t done moving and shaking.

The Coyotes announced early Friday morning that Christian Fischer has been promoted to the NHL, and will join the team ahead of Saturday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In a corresponding roster move, Laurent Dauphin was re-assigned to the Roadrunners.

Fischer is expected to make his NHL debut after jumping out to a stellar first season with the Roadrunners. He has 16 goals and 16 assists in 31 AHL games this season, and was a supplemental addition to the AHL All-Star Game after fellow Roadrunner Brendan Perlini was initially chosen before his promotion to the NHL. He came to the Coyotes in 2015 as the 32nd overall pick, chosen just two picks after Nick Merkley.

Laurent Dauphin has two goals and an assist in 24 games with the Coyotes this year, and five goals and six assists in 11 appearances with the Roadrunners. Dauphin has been sporadically in and out of the line-up as a fourth line player, which coupled with the activation of Ryan White from injured reserve, meant that Dauphin’s already limited role would likely be even more constrained.

Fischer is predominantly a right wing, which would allow him to take the spot that Duclair occupied on the right side for much of the season. It remains to be seen if his success in the AHL can translate to the NHL, but he’s earned the opportunity.