Kirkland has spent most of his eight-year professional career in the AHL, making his NHL debut last season with the Anaheim Ducks, being held without a point in seven contests. Kirkland has 13 points (1G / 12A) this season in 12 games with the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL).
The Coyotes announced the move right before puck drop for Saturday's game in Colorado. Kirkland is yet to register a point in seven NHL games this season.
Kirkland appeared in seven games for Anaheim in 2022-23 but failed to pick up a point while getting five SOG and a -3 plus/minus and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 AAV with Arizona. The 26-year-old centre was a third-round pick in 2014 (62nd overall) with Nashville and made his NHL debut last season and has therefore not picked up a point yet in his career.
Kirkland had failed to pick up a point across seven games played and was a -3 plus/minus with five SOG and has now been loaned to the San Diego Gulls (AHL). He returns to the minors, where he had six goals, seven assists, and 12 PIMs through 19 games prior to his previous promotion.
Kirkland was a third-round pick in 2014 but has yet to make his NHL debut since turning pro in 2017. The 25-year-old, who had 48 points (25G / 23A) in 66 games with Stockton (AHL) last year, will likely report to San Diego (AHL) to start 2022-23.
Kirkland was a third-round pick of the Predators in 2014 but signed with the Flames last summer. He spent the entire 2020 season with Stockton (AHL), where he had six goals and 22 assists (28 points) in 53 games.
