The Arizona Coyotes have claimed forward Adam Ruzicka off waivers from the Calgary Flames, Daily Faceoff hockey insider Frank Seravalli reported Thursday afternoon.
Ruzicka, 24, recorded three goals and nine points while averaging 10:10 of ice time in 39 games with the Flames to begin the 2023–24 season.
The Flames had two players claimed off waivers on Thursday: in addition to Ruzicka (Arizona), defenseman Nick DeSimone was picked up by the New Jersey Devils.
Ruzicka is under contract at a $762,500 cap hit through the end of this current season, at which point he’ll become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
The Flames originally selected Ruzicka in the fourth round (No. 109 overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. The 6’4″, 215-pound natural center made his NHL debut with the Flames in the 2020–21 season.
Despite his size, Ruzicka is not an overly physical player. He relies upon his skill and finesse to produce and is not a natural fit in a depth role, which is where he has spent the majority of this current season with the Flames.
Ruzicka made his biggest mark with the Flames in the 2022–23 season, skating in 44 games with the team and collecting 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) while averaging a career-high 11:35 per game.
Through 114 career games over parts of four seasons with the Flames, Ruzicka has collected 14 goals and 40 points. The product of Bratislava, Slovakia has also racked up 68 points (32 goals, 36 assists) in 98 career AHL contests.
Ruzicka joins a Coyotes team that is firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Coyotes are currently without top-line center Barrett Hayton, who has been out since November with an upper-body injury, as well as depth center Travis Boyd.
The Coyotes are slated to return to action on Thursday night to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. It remains to be seen whether Ruzicka will be able to join the Coyotes in time for their game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
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