Arizona Coyotes looking to establish identity during training camp
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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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The Coyotes haven’t been afraid to embrace change during their rebuild, trading away key players, injecting youth into the lineup and reconfiguring their off-ice structure.
But never had they experienced a makeover as dramatic as the one they received this past offseason.
Arizona dismissed longtime captain Shane Doan, shipped goalie Mike Smith to a division rival and mutually parted ways with coach Dave Tippett – all in the span of a dizzying week that undoubtedly signaled a new direction.
While the Coyotes hope for growth and progress, they haven’t set a specific expectation for where they’ll slot in amid the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
What they have figured out, though, is that developing their character as a hockey team is Priority No. 1 as training camp opens Thursday with medicals and fitness testing.
“I think that’s more important before any expectations,” first-year coach Rick Tocchet said. “I couldn’t give you, ‘Hey, we want this many points or we want to do this, we want to do that.’ The only thing I can tell you is I want to establish an identity. When teams play the Arizona Coyotes, this is their identity – this is who they are. That’s the most important thing for our organization and myself and players to establish.”
Tocchet wants the Coyotes to be fast and poised. The team’s youngsters should help with the former, while the experience added in the summer targets the latter. Both will need to contribute to another attribute Tocchet covets: relentlessness.
“I think we did a pretty good job of putting together a competitive roster that has a nice mix of veteran and youth players,” General Manager John Chayka said.
The most significant acquisitions also came during that whirlwind week in mid-June when the Coyotes became the busiest organization in the NHL. They landed center Derek Stepan and goalie Antti Raanta in a trade with the Rangers in exchange for defenseman Anthony DeAngelo and the 2017 seventh overall pick and also brought in three-time Stanley Cup champion Niklas Hjalmarsson from the Blackhawks after trading defenseman Connor Murphy and center Laurent Dauphin.
Stepan, a regular 50-point producer, is the team’s top center, Hjalmarsson will fill out the first defensive pairing next to Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Raanta will get his first crack at a starting gig after the Coyotes traded Smith to the Flames.
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Coyotes players took batting practice at Chase Field before the Diamondbacks hosted the Padres Friday. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
Arizona also traded for – and locked up – depth forward Nick Cousins and landed defenseman Adam Clendening in free agency in addition to a slew of depth signings.
These additions, however, were accompanied by subtractions. Aside from Doan and Smith, the Coyotes also lost winger Radim Vrbata – last season’s offensive leader – in free agency. The departures of Doan and Vrbata left the team thin at right wing, even after re-signing the ever-versatile Jordan Martinook and Anthony Duclair, but Jamie McGinn can shift from left to right and rookie Christian Fischer could grab a spot.
Fellow youngsters Dylan Strome and Clayton Keller also are vying for NHL jobs. Tocchet and Chayka don’t have a set number of vacancies in mind, but there will be competition for locker stalls and on-ice roles.
“Everybody gets a clean slate,” said Tocchet, who joined the Coyotes after winning the past two Stanley Cups as an assistant with the Penguins. “I’ve talked to a few guys already and they’re like, ‘I’m really glad that I get a clean slate,’ and I’m going, ‘Perfect.’ Everybody gets to reload and give another impression.”
Tocchet does have a few line combinations already in mind but will observe camp and rely on intel from management. He also has no preference on how many forwards to carry versus defensemen.
How the blue line evolves will be intriguing; the unit isn’t at full strength with Jakob Chychrun recovering from offseason knee surgery, and the Coyotes have been monitoring their external options. Veteran Tyson Strachan will be in camp on a professional tryout.
Building chemistry and camaraderie on the heels of a massive overhaul seems to stoke the value of this year’s primer. After three days of practice, the Coyotes will begin a seven-game preseason schedule Monday at Gila River Arena against the Kings before their season-opener Oct. 5 in Anaheim against the Ducks. Their first home game is Oct. 7 against the Golden Knights, and Tocchet has reasons to be optimistic the regular-season journey will be productive.
He feels the Coyotes have plenty of speed on the wings, a solid veteran presence and a goaltender hungry for a chance to flex his skills as a No. 1. Tocchet also isn’t discouraged by the underdog label he believes has already been attached to the team.
“It’s a great spot for us as a young team,” he said.
The Coyotes may not know where they’ll end up but they do expect adversity. That’s another reality Tocchet doesn’t want the team to fear because if they overcome the tough times, they may finally reach the point where they’ve found a combination that can stick.
“It’s going to hurt,” he said. “I think that’s something I want to share with them, how hard it’s going to be and embrace it. I’m a big believer you have to embrace the struggle of it, and that’s the exciting part for me. I’ve seen it happen before, and it’s magical when it works.”