Arizona Coyotes open training camp with excitement, nerves after summer of change
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes coach Tocchet on his message to team ahead of camp | 1:54
Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet holds a new conference at media day in Glendale, Ariz.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Chayka discusses new staff and players at media day | 1:25
Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka discusses their new staff and players at media day in Glendale, Ariz.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan interviews new Arizona Coyotes forward Derek Stepan | 1:55
azcentral sports Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan talks with new forward Derek Stepan.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes open rookie camp | 1:29
The Coyotes opened rookie camp Thursday at Gila River Arena.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shane Doan retires | 0:46
Arizona Coyotes star Shane Doan announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Moore, McLellan on the Coyotes entering a ‘new era’ | 1:35
azcentral sports columnist Greg Moore and Sarah McLellan on the Coyotes’ changes on and off the ice.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Greg Moore on the Coyotes’ changes | 1:33
azcentral sports columnist Greg Moore on the Coyotes’ plan to better engage with Arizona fans.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes introduce new coach, president | 42:44
The Arizona Coyotes introduced new coach Rick Tocchet and president Steve Patterson at a news conference in Glendale on July 13, 2017. Thomas Hawthorne/ azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Tocchet a good fit for Coyotes? | 1:57
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Sarah McLellan discuss the Coyotes’ coaching situation and the Diamondbacks in our Shot Clock video.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Dylan Strome works out at Coyotes Development Camp | 0:48
Forward Dylan Strome is a top prospect for the Coyotes. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Mike Smith rips Coyotes; Cards’ RB ranked | 2:02
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley, discuss former Coyotes goalie Mike Smith’s comments about the team and the NFL Top 100 rankings.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes begin prospect development camp | 0:50
The Coyotes’ prospects are skating this week in the Valley as part of the team’s annual development camp.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes part ways with coach Dave Tippett | 0:50
Arizona Coyotes part ways with coach Dave Tippett. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: What does Doan’s dismissal mean? | 1:55
azcentral sports’ Dan Bickley and Sarah McLellan discuss the aftershock of the Coyotes’ decision to part ways with Shane Doan.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes part ways with Shane Doan | 0:38
Coyotes captain Shane Doan will not return to the team. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes trade starting goalie Mike Smith to Flames | 0:58
Mike Smith leaves Arizona as a record-holding goaltender. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Which Arizona Coyotes player could be taken by the Vegas Golden Knights? | 1:06
The Coyotes are set to lose one player to Vegas in the NHL expansion draft. Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes’ Clayton Keller on his first year in the NHL | 1:59
Coyotes rookie Clayton Keller talks with Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan about his first year in the NHL as the team cleans out its lockers following the end of the season on Monday. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes rookie Christian Dvorak on ‘year of ups and downs’ | 1:40
Coyotes rookie center Christian Dvorak talks with Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan about his ups and downs throughout his first NHL season on Monday. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun sums up rookie season | 2:17
Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun discusses his rookie season with Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan at Gila River Arena on Monday. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shane Doan at Coyotes’ season-ending press conference | 1:54
Arizona Coyotes’ Shane Doan discusses the uncertainty that surrounds his future at a season-ending press conference on Monday at Gila River Arena. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Max Domi talks to Sarah McLellan about offseason goals, plans | 1:16
Arizona Coyotes winger Max Domi talks with Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan about his plans and goals for the offseason as the Coyotes cleaned out lockers on Monday at Gila River Arena. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes coach Dave Tippett wraps up 2016-17 season | 2:01
Arizona Coyotes coach Dave Tippett sums up the 2016-17 season and looks forward to what is needed to improve next year at a press conference at Gila River Arena on Monday. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Wild | 0:31
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-1 loss to the Wild.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes conclude season with 3-1 loss to the Wild | 1:50
Coach Dave Tippett, captain Shane Doan, defenseman Zbynek Michalek and goalie Mike Smith react to the team’s final game of the season.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes recognize Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham | 0:50
Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham was recognized during a ceremonial puck drop before Saturday’s season finale.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Canucks | 0:35
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 4-3 win over the Canucks.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes react to win over Canucks | 1:17
Coach Dave Tippett, winger Radim Vrbata, winger Max Domi, center Alexander Burmistrov and defenseman Luke Schenn react to the win.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Shot Clock: Young Coyotes standouts provide hope | 1:56
Three players emerge as the Coyotes’ season winds down. Sarah McLellan and Jay Dieffenbach discuss them, the NBA MVP race and more.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes fall in overtime to Stars | 0:46
Coach Dave Tippett, winger Max Domi, defenseman Anthony DeAngelo and winger Anthony Duclair react to Tuesday’s 3-2 loss in Dallas. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Stars | 0:28
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-2 overtime loss to the Stars on Tuesday.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Kings | 0:35
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 2-1 win over the Kings.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes eliminate Kings from playoffs with 2-1 win | 1:02
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith, center Alexander Burmistrov and winger Anthony Duclair react to the win.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Capitals | 0:25
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 6-3 win over the Capitals.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes snap losing streak against Capitals | 0:58
Coach Dave Tippett, center Christian Dvorak, goalie Louis Domingue and center Alexander Burmistrov react to the 6-3 win.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Blues | 0:24
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-1 loss to the Blues.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes react to 3-1 loss to Blues | 1:14
Coach Dave Tippett, defenseman Alex Goligoski, goalie Louis Domingue and winger Clayton Keller react to the loss.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Blues | 0:33
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 4-1 loss to the Blues. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes cap road trip with 4-1 loss to Blues | 0:58
Coyotes coach Dave Tippett, winger Clayton Keller, center Alexander Burmistrov and defenseman Anthony DeAngelo react to the loss. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Forward Clayton Keller set to begin pro career with Coyotes | 0:47
Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Coyotes on Sunday, March 26, 2017. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS U.S. women’s hockey team boycotting world championship | 0:52
USA TODAY Sports’ A.J. Perez explains why the USA women’s hockey team is boycotting the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship. USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Capitals | 0:33
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and the minus in the 4-1 loss to the Capitals.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Capitals pull away from Coyotes with 3-goal third | 0:53
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith and center Jordan Martinook react to the 4-1 loss. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Panthers | 0:29
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-1 loss to the Panthers.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Unusual goal sparks Panthers to win over Coyotes | 1:15
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith, winger Tobias Rieder and defenseman Jakob Chychrun react to the 3-1 loss.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Lightning | 0:38
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 5-3 win over the Lightning. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes rally past the Lightning | 0:54
Coach Dave Tippett, winger Radim Vrbata, winger Christian Fischer and winger Anthony Duclair react to the 5-3 win. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Predators | 0:30
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-1 loss to the Predators.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes open road trip with 3-1 loss to Predators | 1:07
Coach Dave Tippett, defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, winger Jamie McGinn and defenseman Zbynek Michalek.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Blues | 0:34
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-0 loss to the Blues.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes shut out 3-0 by the Blues | 1:40
Coach Dave Tippett, defenseman Luke Schenn and goalie Mike Smith react to the loss on Saturday at Gila River Arena. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Red Wings | 0:36
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 5-4 shootout loss to the Red Wings.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes clipped by Red Wings 5-4 in a shootout | 1:20
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith, winger Radim Vrbata and defenseman Jakob Chychrun react to the loss.
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Kings | 0:31
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 3-2 shootout win over the Kings, Mar. 14, 2017. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes outlast Kings in 11-round shootout | 1:08
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Louis Domingue, defenseman Anthony DeAngelo and winger Max Domi react to the 3-2 shootout win against the Kings, Mar. 14, 2017. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Avalanche | 0:32
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 1-0 win over the Avalanche, Mar. 13, 2017. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Coyotes blank Avalanche 1-0 | 1:19
Coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith, captain Shane Doan and winger Brendan Perlini react to the win, Mar. 13, 2017. (Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports)
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WATCH THE LATEST ARIZONA COYOTES VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTS Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Devils | 0:34
Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan looks at the plus and minus in the 5-4 win over the Devils on Saturday.
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Call time was 8 a.m. Thursday at Gila River Arena, but Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton reported about an hour early.
He wanted to get the blood work component of his medical completed so he could eat breakfast, but Connauton was also eager to officially wrap the offseason.
“I really want to get things going,” he said.
Others expressed the same excitement as the Coyotes opened training camp with physicals and fitness testing, exuding a rejuvenated vibe that’s expected after a summer of hibernation.
But there were also nerves amid the arrival of new faces and absence of families ones.
“They don’t know what to expect right now and they’re a little nervous, which is fine,” first-year coach Rick Tocchet said. “It’s my job to loosen them up.”
For the first time ever, the Coyotes began camp in the Valley without Shane Doan in the mix. Longtime goalie Mike Smith and former coach Dave Tippett were also missing, reminders of the sweeping changes that rocked the organization in June when Arizona decided not to bring Doan back, traded Smith to the Flames and mutually parted ways with Tippett.
“Any time a team misses the playoffs five years straight, you gotta shift directions,” General Manager John Chayka said.
In the wake of those departures, the Coyotes began to reassemble themselves by adding center Derek Stepan, defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, goalie Antti Raanta and Tocchet, among others, but the repercussions of such a radical transformation were still being felt months later.
“You gotta keep in mind it’s a business,” defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson said. “We’re trying to get better, and we haven’t been doing very good the last two, three, four years. If you’re not playing well, change is going to get made. It wasn’t up to me, but I’m still here, so I’m happy.”
The Coyotes have yet to announce their next captain, but a source said earlier this summer Ekman-Larsson will be Doan’s successor. Ekman-Larsson said he hasn’t heard that’s the case from the team.
“I’ve learned a lot from (Doan) and just being around him, I kind of want to be that leader,” Ekman-Larsson said. “But we’ll see. Doesn’t matter if I get the ‘C’ or ‘A.’ I’m going to be the same guy and the same leader in the room.”
There’s no timeline to name a new captain, and the team will also have to appoint alternates, as well.
“No one’s going to fill (Doan’s) void,” winger Max Domi said. “That’s never going to be filled. Shane Doan is Shane Doan, and that’s a legacy that has its own storybook to it. The part we can do is just fulfill a fraction of that in a group effort.”
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azcentral sports Coyotes insider Sarah McLellan talks with new forward Derek Stepan.
In the meantime, the focus will shift to the ice with the first practice Friday. The Coyotes have 55 players in camp, and all of the rookie-camp roster is sticking around except forwards Tyler Coulter, Max Gerlach, Cordell James, Adam Marsh, James Phelan, Matthew Philip, Jeffrey Truchon-Viel and Hayden Verbeek along with defenseman Anthony Demeo.
Only defenseman Jakob Chychrun and center Dave Bolland weren’t medically cleared; Bolland spent last season on long-term injured reserve with lingering injuries after getting acquired in the Lawson Crouse trade with the Panthers in 2016.
Chychrun is still rehabbing after undergoing surgery on a knee injury he suffered in the offseason and was going to be evaluated by team doctors. When to expect a return has yet to be announced, and Chayka declined to specify the nature of Chychrun’s injury.
“He’s still a way’s off from skating,” Chayka said. “Until he starts skating, it’s difficult to give an update. He’s progressing well. (The injury is) certainly not season-ending. Once he starts skating, we’ll have another update.”
It’s unclear when the Coyotes will start to trim down their numbers, but Tocchet doesn’t want to cut intriguing players after one slip-up.
“That’s not fair,” he said. “I think we have to give everybody a chance.”
Tocchet, however, would like most of his roster set by the final two-to-three preseason games, a group that will undoubtedly look different than the ones that debuted in recent seasons.
“It’s real tough to see your buddies go,” Domi said. “But for the most part, it’s all for the better. We are confident that our team got better in the offseason and we’re moving forward with the right group of guys.”