The rebuild in Arizona has taken a back seat in the press to all of the team’s other troubles, but it trudges forward still, even when it takes unexpected turns. In a kind of sideways fashion, the Coyotes have revealed that goaltender Louis Domingue will be leaving the organization for the 2015-16 season, which is why earlier in the week the team signed German goaltender Niklas Treutle to a one-year deal.
The news was shared by GM Don Maloney through reporters. Domingue will play in Europe next season for an as yet unnamed team, after rejecting his qualifying offer issued by the team, according to AZ Central’s Sarah McLellan.
The 23-year-old Domingue made his NHL debut last season following the trade of Devan Dubnyk to the Minnesota Wild. He played seven games for the Coyotes, posting a 1-2-1 record with a .911 Sv%.
The team signed Anders Lindback in July, effectively ensuring that Domingue would spend the entire season, barring injuries, in the AHL developing. Between the offer and cementing his place in the AHL, Domingue must have liked his chances to earn and play in Europe.
The Coyotes will maintain his rights for the next four years, so it could wind up being just a development year for the young goaltender, rather than a “goodbye forever” moment.
The exit of Domingue finishes quite a turn over of goaltenders for the Coyotes since the start of last season. They traded away Dubnyk, Domingue is leaving, and Mike McKenna signed with the Florida Panthers. They then signed Lindback, Treutle and Tyler Beskorowany, leaving Mike Smith as the only goaltender left standing in Glendale.
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