Five players the Coyotes might be considering for their leadership group
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Coyotes goalie Louis Domingue explains the design behind his new mask.
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Coyotes General Manager John Ckayka and coach Rick Tocchet discuss the trade for defenseman Jason Demers from the Panthers in exchange for winger Jamie McGinn. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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Coyotes center Derek Stepan discusses coming to the Coyotes with a new staff and young players on Thursday in Glendale.
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Coyotes center Derek Stepan calls his new teammate Oliver Ekman-Larsson a “superstar” on Thursday in Glendale.
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Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet holds a new conference at media day in Glendale, Ariz.
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Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka discusses their new staff and players at media day in Glendale, Ariz.
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Arizona Coyotes star Shane Doan announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday.
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Coyotes’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson injured in preseason loss
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Paul Bissonnette discusses new role with Coyotes
Defenseman Jason Demers settling in with Coyotes
Coyotes acquire Jason Demers in trade with Panthers
Stepan on coming to Arizona with new staff, young players
Derek Stepan on ‘superstar’ Ekman-Larsson
Coyotes coach Tocchet on his message to team ahead of camp
Chayka discusses new staff and players at media day
Sarah McLellan interviews new Arizona Coyotes forward Derek Stepan
Coyotes open rookie camp
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Moore, McLellan on the Coyotes entering a ‘new era’
Greg Moore on the Coyotes’ changes
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Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet hasn’t been evaluating players during training camp only for the sake of filling out the team’s roster.
He’s also been surveying the candidates for Arizona’s leadership group.
The Coyotes have yet to announce a captain and alternate captains for this season, as Tocchet continues to mull his options.
While the organization has had a captain or co-captains for at least a portion of every season since its inception, it is possible the Coyotes would go with all alternates instead of a captain in 2017-18 – a blueprint followed by other up-and-coming clubs such as the Maple Leafs and Hurricanes in recent years.
Regardless, a solid team of leaders is what Tocchet seeks and he has a handful of players who would seem to make compelling cases to be included in that crew.
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson
An alternate since 2015, Ekman-Larsson has, for years, appeared primed to become the Coyotes’ next captain.
Ekman-Larsson also learned from former captain Shane Doan. Earlier this summer, a source said Ekman-Larsson would be named Doan’s replacement. Although that was before Tocchet was appointed coach, Ekman-Larsson still seems like a frontrunner.
It may mean nothing, but Ekman-Larsson has taken up residence in Doan’s old locker stall in the heart of the Coyotes’ dressing room.
Defenseman Alex Goligoski
Goligoski was an alternate captain at the end of last season and is positioned to be a core cog for years to come since he’s signed through 2020-21.
He also wore a letter with the Stars and won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009, prior experiences that can no doubt help him be a role model.
Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson
As a three-time Stanley Cup champion, Hjalmarsson certainly has the pedigree to merit consideration.
Before he was traded to the Coyotes in June, he spent his entire career with the Blackhawks – playing in a culture that has become synonymous with winning.
His style of play as a steady, shot-blocking defender also elicits respect.
He’s logged more than 600 NHL games and is also a Stanley Cup champion (with the Kings in 2012). Combine his easygoing personality with the critical position he plays up the middle, and Richardson appears to be someone who can easily command an audience.
Center Derek Stepan
Like Hjalmarsson, Stepan is a newcomer, arriving from the Rangers in an offseason trade, but he hasn’t acted like one.
He’s been very vocal on the ice and has brought a lighthearted feel off it.
A 50-point producer in the past, Stepan is also well aware of what it takes to have success in the NHL as he’s made the playoffs each season of his career. He’ll be tasked with setting the tone in games as the Coyotes’ No. 1 center, but he also has the opportunity to help the team’s youngsters establish themselves as mainstays in the league, too.