Coyotes assign Michalek to AHL

The Arizona Coyotes have assigned defenseman Zbynek Michalek to the AHL, the team announced Monday.

Michalek, 33, was placed on waivers earlier this month, going unclaimed. The team then had a 30-day window to send him to the minors before he would require waivers again. The Coyotes ultimately opted to assign him to their AHL club, the Tucson Roadrunners.

Michalek signed with Arizona as a free agent in 2015 and appeared in 70 games with the Coyotes last season, scoring seven points. He previously played with the Coyotes from 2005-10, and again from 2012-15 prior to a trade that sent him to the St. Louis Blues.

The Czech defender has one year remaining on his contract, carrying a $3.2-million cap hit.