AZ Republic - Gretzky has no room to promote Nash

Gretzky has no room to promote Nash

David Vest
© The Arizona Republic
Oct. 8, 2006 12:00 AM

Coach Wayne Gretzky was asked Saturday if right wing Tyson Nash, who scored two goals Friday in his first game in the minor leagues since 1998-99, could earn a promotion back to Phoenix.

"Listen, anybody in our organization that plays well can get an opportunity to play here," Gretzky said. "Anybody that can help us win, we'll gladly welcome him with open arms."

Because of a surplus of energy-line forwards, the Coyotes tried to trade Nash last weekend but found no takers, then placed him on waivers.

Nash cleared waivers and was demoted to the team's top affiliate in San Antonio.

Nash, who notched zero goals for Phoenix in 50 games last season, scored twice for San Antonio within the first 27 minutes of Friday's game to lead the Rampage to a 5-4 overtime victory over Grand Rapids.

The reality is Nash, 31, likely has played his last game for Phoenix.

"If somebody wanted him right now we would be open to that," Gretzky said of a potential trade involving Nash. "All he did was good things for this organization so we want him to play in the NHL. Right now it's tough for me when I've got two guys that are not going to play (every game) who I think are pretty good players in (Oleg) Saprykin and (Josh) Gratton, and (Fredrik) Sjostrom is hurt. We've just got a tough lineup for (Nash) to get into."

Tordjman to 'Runners

When the team announced its new affiliation with the Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL in August, General Manager Mike Barnett said the key to the deal was that the Coyotes would be able to keep a goaltending prospect nearby.

That goalie will be Josh Tordjman.

"Tordjman might have been the best surprise in all of (training camp)," Gretzky said. "He might have been the best player we had throughout the camp day in and day out. He had an outstanding 14 days with us."

The Coyotes could have made Tordjman, who stands 6 feet 1 but weighs only 155 pounds, the backup to David LeNeveu in San Antonio, but Gretzky said they wanted goaltending coach Grant Fuhr to have access to Tordjman. The RoadRunners play in the ECHL, which is two leagues below the NHL in professional hockey's hierarchy.

"We just felt he needs to play," Gretzky said. "It will probably be of more benefit for him to start in that league, maybe play 55-60 games, and then maybe move up (to San Antonio) next year."

Ice chips

Gretzky said Sjostrom, who missed the first two games witha separated shoulder, would play Monday at Columbus... Gretzky also confirmed that backup goalie Mike Morrison would start Monday... Center Steven Reinprecht's five points Thursday vs. the New York Islanders set a franchise record for points and assists (four) in a season opener.