• Coyotes acquire Jason Demers in trade with Panthers

    Coyotes acquire Jason Demers in trade with Panthers

  • Stepan on coming to Arizona with new staff, young players

    Stepan on coming to Arizona with new staff, young players

  • Derek Stepan on 'superstar' Ekman-Larsson

    Derek Stepan on ‘superstar’ Ekman-Larsson

  • Coyotes coach Tocchet on his message to team ahead of camp

    Coyotes coach Tocchet on his message to team ahead of camp

  • Chayka discusses new staff and players at media day

    Chayka discusses new staff and players at media day

  • Sarah McLellan interviews new Arizona Coyotes forward Derek Stepan

    Sarah McLellan interviews new Arizona Coyotes forward Derek Stepan

  • Coyotes open rookie camp

    Coyotes open rookie camp

  • Shane Doan retires

    Shane Doan retires

  • Moore, McLellan on the Coyotes entering a 'new era'

    Moore, McLellan on the Coyotes entering a ‘new era’

  • Greg Moore on the Coyotes' changes

    Greg Moore on the Coyotes’ changes

  • Coyotes introduce new coach, president

    Coyotes introduce new coach, president

  • Shot Clock: Tocchet a good fit for Coyotes?

    Shot Clock: Tocchet a good fit for Coyotes?

  • Dylan Strome works out at Coyotes Development Camp

    Dylan Strome works out at Coyotes Development Camp

  • Mike Smith rips Coyotes; Cards' RB ranked

    Mike Smith rips Coyotes; Cards’ RB ranked

  • Coyotes begin prospect development camp

    Coyotes begin prospect development camp

  • Coyotes part ways with coach Dave Tippett

    Coyotes part ways with coach Dave Tippett

  • Shot Clock: What does Doan's dismissal mean?

    Shot Clock: What does Doan’s dismissal mean?

  • Coyotes part ways with Shane Doan

    Coyotes part ways with Shane Doan

  • Coyotes trade starting goalie Mike Smith to Flames

    Coyotes trade starting goalie Mike Smith to Flames

  • Which Arizona Coyotes player could be taken by the Vegas Golden Knights?

    Which Arizona Coyotes player could be taken by the Vegas Golden Knights?

  • Coyotes' Clayton Keller on his first year in the NHL

    Coyotes’ Clayton Keller on his first year in the NHL

  • Coyotes rookie Christian Dvorak on 'year of ups and downs'

    Coyotes rookie Christian Dvorak on ‘year of ups and downs’

  • Coyotes' Jakob Chychrun sums up rookie season

    Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun sums up rookie season

  • Shane Doan at Coyotes' season-ending press conference

    Shane Doan at Coyotes’ season-ending press conference

  • Max Domi talks to Sarah McLellan about offseason goals, plans

    Max Domi talks to Sarah McLellan about offseason goals, plans

  • Coyotes coach Dave Tippett wraps up 2016-17 season

    Coyotes coach Dave Tippett wraps up 2016-17 season

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Wild

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Wild

  • Coyotes conclude season with 3-1 loss to the Wild

    Coyotes conclude season with 3-1 loss to the Wild

  • Coyotes recognize Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham

    Coyotes recognize Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Canucks

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Canucks

  • Coyotes react to win over Canucks

    Coyotes react to win over Canucks

  • Shot Clock: Young Coyotes standouts provide hope

    Shot Clock: Young Coyotes standouts provide hope

  • Coyotes fall in overtime to Stars

    Coyotes fall in overtime to Stars

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Stars

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Stars

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Kings

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Kings

  • Coyotes eliminate Kings from playoffs with 2-1 win

    Coyotes eliminate Kings from playoffs with 2-1 win

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Capitals

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Capitals

  • Coyotes snap losing streak against Capitals

    Coyotes snap losing streak against Capitals

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Blues

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Blues

  • Coyotes react to 3-1 loss to Blues

    Coyotes react to 3-1 loss to Blues

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Blues

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Blues

  • Coyotes cap road trip with 4-1 loss to Blues

    Coyotes cap road trip with 4-1 loss to Blues

  • Forward Clayton Keller set to begin pro career with Coyotes

    Forward Clayton Keller set to begin pro career with Coyotes

  • U.S. women's hockey team boycotting world championship

    U.S. women’s hockey team boycotting world championship

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Capitals

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Capitals

  • Capitals pull away from Coyotes with 3-goal third

    Capitals pull away from Coyotes with 3-goal third

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Panthers

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Panthers

  • Unusual goal sparks Panthers to win over Coyotes

    Unusual goal sparks Panthers to win over Coyotes

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Lightning

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Lightning

  • Coyotes rally past the Lightning

    Coyotes rally past the Lightning

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Predators

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Predators

  • Coyotes open road trip with 3-1 loss to Predators

    Coyotes open road trip with 3-1 loss to Predators

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Blues

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Blues

  • Coyotes shut out 3-0 by the Blues

    Coyotes shut out 3-0 by the Blues

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Red Wings

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Red Wings

  • Coyotes clipped by Red Wings 5-4 in a shootout

    Coyotes clipped by Red Wings 5-4 in a shootout

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Kings

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Kings

  • Coyotes outlast Kings in 11-round shootout

    Coyotes outlast Kings in 11-round shootout

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Avalanche

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Avalanche

  • Coyotes blank Avalanche 1-0

    Coyotes blank Avalanche 1-0

  • Sarah McLellan's plus-minus against the Devils

    Sarah McLellan’s plus-minus against the Devils

New Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers found out he’d been traded to Arizona from Florida Sunday by Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon, but he didn’t learn all the details of the deal until he talked to the player who he ended up getting traded for: winger Jamie McGinn.

Demers and McGinn know each other, having played previously together in San Jose with the Sharks. The two had a FaceTime chat after the trade.

“He was excited that he was coming here, so he could play with me,” McGinn said. “I let him know that I was the one going the other way, so he didn’t know.”

McGinn was told he was getting traded after he showed up at the Ice Den in Scottsdale Sunday morning for practice.

“I thought I was being called in to say that they were happy with how I came in prepared ready for training camp and everything,” McGinn said. “First thing (GM) John (Chayka) said was, ‘We made a trade today,’ and I’ve been part of trades before so I knew what was coming next. Caught me off-guard but very excited.” 

RELATED: Coyotes acquire Jason Demers from Panthers

Coyotes confidential

Brad Richardson

Position: Center.

Age: 32.

Last season

Richardson got off to a solid start in 2016-17 as one of the Coyotes’ most productive forwards, posting nine points in his first 16 games. His five goals through that span were tied for the second-most on the team. But Richardson’s season ended abruptly Nov.17. He fractured tibia and fibula bones in his right leg after going down awkwardly on his leg following a hit. Richardson underwent surgery and also had another procedure in the spring to remove screws from his leg.

2017-18 outlook

The veteran hopes to be the same player he was before the injury, if not a better version. A responsible two-way center who can win faceoffs, Richardson has fulfilled a valuable role for the Coyotes ever since he signed in 2015. And with a youthful forward group, his ability to stabilize his line while also being a role model could be key.

Camp focus

After such a long layoff from game action, Richardson is focused on getting back in the rhythm of just playing hockey and not thinking about the injury.

“I’m just trying to go out and play and feel good and get comfortable and be in the spots I need to be in to be successful,” he said.  

Quick hits

Why No. 15: “No real reason. I’ve had it since literally I started hockey. I had to give it up a couple times in my NHL career and wore 12. But as soon as I have a chance, I go back to 15.”  

Best dressed: Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Favorite social-media follow: “I have a goal to play the top 100 (golf) courses in the world, so I follow golf stuff and the courses that pop up. I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s a new one.’ So I have a list, cross them off when I play them. I like seeing all the golf courses.”

Starbucks order: Skinny vanilla latte.

Airplane activity: “Sometimes I play cards. A lot of times me and Schenner (defenseman Luke Schenn) just sit there and talk and break down things. Sometimes we’re watching movies and shows. This year Curb Your Enthusiasm is coming back on, so I’ll definitely be watching Curb. I’m sure I’m going to play a lot more cards, too.”

Blast from the past 

A familiar face from the past stopped by Coyotes training camp Saturday, as former player Jeremy Roenick was spotted watching the action.

“Yeah, he text me,” coach Rick Tocchet said. “He wanted to bring his skates. I said, ‘Don’t bring them.’ “

Tocchet and Roenick played together for the Coyotes in the late ’90s before the two reunited with the Flyers during the 2001-02 season. The two made a memorable impression on the Valley as players, and Roenick, who stopped to sign autographs Saturday, said previously Tocchet was the reason he went to Philadelphia. 

“He’s a terrific friend,” Tocchet said. “He lives here, so he wants to see the Coyotes do well. He’s rooting for everybody here. So it’s nice to see him around. He’s always smiling, so it’s great to see J.R. I love the guy, great guy.” 

Saturday’s session

The pace of practice was better than what Tocchet saw Friday, he said, with the likes of defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Alex Goligoski leading the charge.

“Some guys had anxiety (Friday),” Tocchet said. “They don’t know what to expect. But I think today I saw, especially some of our older guys, they were pushing the pace today, and I really liked that.”

Tocchet said winger Mario Kempe has great speed and is on his radar. Kempe, who played in the Kontinental Hockey League last season, signed a one-year, two-way contract in May.

“He’s a good player,” Tocchet said. “He’s done a nice job out there.” 

Coyotes confidential

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Position: Defense.

Age: 26.

Last season

Ekman-Larsson had what he called an “off year” in 2016-17. He scored 12 goals and finished with 39 points, both of which were his lowest outputs since 2013. His minus-25 was also a team-worst, as was his shot differential at 5-on-5 (-273). Ekman-Larsson broke his left thumb in late November but continued to suit up. He played the season knowing his mother Annika was battling cancer and eventually took a leave of absence ahead of the team’s final three games to return to Sweden following her death.

2017-18 outlook

It’ll be interesting to see how Ekman-Larsson rebounds from a tough season, but he could be primed to make a splash. The fast-paced, aggressive style coach Rick Tocchet wants to play suits Ekman-Larsson’s offensive flair. Slotting new defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson on the top pairing next to Ekman-Larsson could also be a boost, as Hjalmarsson’s stable presence should complement Ekman-Larsson’s playmaking ability.

Camp focus

After an overhaul during the offseason, Ekman-Larsson wants to get to know his new teammates.

“It’s a little bit weird to walk in the locker room, to be honest with you,” he said. “Not feeling super comfortable but at the same time, it keeps you on your toes and I think that’s good. I’ve been here for seven years, and I think changes are good sometimes and I feel like this comes at a good time. I’m super excited about that.”

Quick hits

Why No. 23: “I had a friend that I played back home with in Sweden when we were juniors. He passed away 11 or 12 years ago, and he was wearing No.23. That’s why I’m wearing it now.”

Best dressed: “That’s an easy one. Me.”

Favorite social-media follow: “I like to stay in touch with my friends back home.”

Starbucks order: Hot chocolate with whipped cream.

Airplane activity: “I watch some movies and TV shows and stuff like that. I like to just walk around and talk to the guys. I do that a lot, too.”

Watch and learn

Not only did the Coyotes get on the ice for their first practice of training camp Friday, but they also hunkered down to watch video.

But the majority of the clips that flashed on the screen weren’t of their play. Instead, much of the session studied the Penguins.

“We’re playing a different game,” winger Max Domi said. “We’re not playing the same game as last year. Last year didn’t work for us. We’re switching that up and can’t watch the video of what you did last year if you’re not doing that. There’s no other option. You gotta watch other video.”  

Teams don’t normally study other teams this much as they embark on a new season, but the Coyotes are in a unique position. New coach Rick Tocchet is trying to get Arizona to adopt the up-tempo style of play he helped coach in Pittsburgh as an assistant, and he’s relying on footage of how the Penguins operate until he builds up a library of Coyotes clips.

“They’re Stanley Cup champions back-to-back years,” center Derek Stepan said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if a lot of teams are watching them. They have a system that works. It’s won twice, and our league’s all about winning.” 

Stepan actually experienced a similar situation when he was in New York with Alain Vigneault showing video of his former team, the Canucks, as he settled in as coach of the Rangers after John Tortorella’s departure.

“Tocch said once we get some games in, he’ll cut the Pittsburgh stuff out,” Stepan said. “But right now, it’s a tool and we have the best part of the tool – the guy who was right in the middle of it all.” 

CLOSE

Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet holds a new conference at media day in Glendale, Ariz.

Day 1 of camp stressed defensive-zone coverage and breakouts. Tocchet wants players to defend in layers, doubling up on the puck to force turnovers and cut down on time and space. 

As for getting up the ice, he expects a four-man attack with the lone player back providing support up the middle.

“As you turn that puck over, everyone’s involved in the play and you just outnumber their team in your zone, the neutral zone and the offensive zone as well,” Domi said. “Overall, it’s a lot of moving and it was tough on the ‘D’ today. But it’s fun to be a part of.” 

This kind of approach certainly looks like it’ll suit a puck-moving defender like Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but even he acknowledged it’ll take some time to get used to playing this way after adhering to a different style for the past seven years.

“It’s hard for us ‘D’,” Ekman-Larsson said. “We gotta lead the play and get up. But at the same time, it’s a lot of fun because you want to be a part of the game.”

Conditioning will be key; Tocchet said there’s work to be done with the group, and the pace needs to be faster.

“You gotta be in shape to play a fast style,” he said. “You can’t rest, 30, 40-second shifts are very important. I don’t want guys resting and slowing the game down. There’s some guys out there that came in really good shape. There’s some guys that were just OK. They’re going to have to learn to push the pace of play.”

Getting by a defender and skating up ice is a mindset, Tocchet said, but preparation and recovery off the ice will also be essential. He plans to keep reminding players about the value of the latter two.

“To play here, you’re going to have to be in shape,” Tocchet said. “And we will be in shape, for sure.” 

Ice chips

  • Tocchet praised defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, mentioning Hjalmarsson “does all the right things,” is first in line and also puts the time in at the gym. “That’s why he is who he is, and it’s good to have a guy like that because we have young guys who can follow him,” Tocchet said.

  • The Coyotes were split up into three groups. Some interesting duos: Domi worked with Stepan, Hjalmarsson was paired with Kevin Connauton and Ekman-Larsson skated at times with Adam Clendening. The thinking behind the rosters was to mix veterans and rookies.

  • Center Nate Schnarr wore a non-contact jersey as he was limited in some drills due to injury.
  • Saturday’s session will focus on offensive-zone coverage and neutral-zone play, while the Coyotes will start to work on special teams Sunday and Monday.

Coyotes confidential

Antti Raanta

Position: Goalie.

Age: 28.

Last season

Raanta appeared in 30 games last season for the Rangers as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup. He went 16-8-2 with a 2.26 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and four shutouts. The Coyotes acquired Raanta, along with center Derek Stepan, in a late June trade that sent defenseman Anthony DeAngelo and the 2017 No.7 pick to the Rangers.

2017-18 outlook

This will be Raanta’s first season as a starting goalie, an opportunity he’s merited after four years of steady play as a No.2. In 94 career games, Raanta is 47-23-9 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. It’ll be interesting to see how he reacts to a heavier workload, as he typically played only sporadically with the Rangers and, before then, the Blackhawks. What could help Raanta make this transition is the experience he banked working alongside some of the NHL’s premier goalies in Lundqvist and Chicago’s Corey Crawford.

RELATED:Coyotes open training camp with excitement, nerves

Camp focus

Getting familiar with his new teammates and the Coyotes’ staff is an objective for Raanta. He also wants to prove he’s ready for action.

“You want to make some saves,” he said. 

Quick hits

Why No. 32: “I was playing under-20s back at home (in Finland), and that was the first time when I got to choose the number. So I was like, ’32 looks good.’ After that, I went to the first league in Finland and got 32, but I was so young. There was somebody coming from North America. He came to play with us, and he wanted to have 32 so I had to change it. I didn’t play with 32 a couple years, and then I switched teams and they asked me what number I want to be. Thirty-two, it’s followed me since that. I went to Chicago in 2013. We just won the Finnish championship. I was wearing 32, so kind of good luck number. I went to Chicago (and) Michal Rozsival was wearing 32, so I was kind of bummed out about that. So I played with 31 in Chicago and when I got traded to New York, first thing of course was asking the trainers what number is available. Thirty-two came from that, and same thing this summer. When I got traded, I emailed (head equipment manager) Stan (Wilson) straight away and asked, ‘Is 32 open?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, I think so.’ So I said, ‘Put me in that.’ It’s just something that has been following me all the time and if it’s available, I try to get it.”  

Best dressed: Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Favorite social-media follow: “I think Roberto Luongo is pretty funny. He’s one of those guys he’s saying those things what you think but you don’t want to say because you kind of think it’s not proper, yet I think he’s always so on the money. And on those comments he has that humor where he makes fun of himself, so I think that’s a great thing to have and he’s pretty fun to follow.” 

Starbucks order: “Iced macchiato. They’re pretty good, but I try to go with the light version not with the whipped cream and everything.”

Airplane activity: “I usually download lots of movies and television shows. When there’s lots of turbulence, I try to put some music on and try to close my eyes and get away from it. But it’s getting better all the time. When I got here, when I got to the U.S., I wasn’t afraid of flying at all. But when you start flying so much and you feel every flight, there’s turbulence going on so you start to get a little nervous so just try to forget you’re on the plane and listen to some Finnish songs and try to feel like you’re back at home safe and sound but lots of movies and lots of TV shows.”

New year, new look

The Coyotes debuted a new look at training camp when players reported Thursday.

So did winger Max Domi.

Gone was his trademark beard from last season, and he also was sporting a different hair style.

“Decided to clean it up,” Domi said.

The 22-year-old ditched the beard in July as part of a fundraiser to raise funds for diabetes research. He said he raised $70,000. Domi has Type 1 diabetes.

“Pretty pricey beard, I guess,” Domi said. “But you know what? I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

As for his new hair ‘do, Domi said, “I have the worst hair in the NHL probably when it comes too the feel of it. It’s just really thick and really curly. You can’t really go with the long hair, the flow look, because it just ends up becoming an afro. Not that there’s anything wrong with an afro, but I didn’t really want to go with that. It doesn’t fit in the helmet too well, especially when you already have a big head. So decided to keep ‘er clean. I think it shapes my head nice, just a little bit of a puff on top, a little bit of character and everything else was just a nice fade.” 

Keller impressing 

Center Derek Stepan and winger Clayton Keller aren’t in the same group to start camp, but the two skated in the lead-up to camp and Stepan was impressed by the rookie.

“He’s got that (Johnny) Gaudreau, (Patrick) Kane-esq type motion on the ice, that vision and kind of slow pace that makes it look easy but he’s flying,” Stepan said. “He’s got the tools. In my short four skates with him, you can see there’s no beating around the bush. This guy’s got a lot of talent, a lot of skill and even in those short little skates he surprised me with how hard he competes without the puck.”

Memory lane

Former Coyotes Keith Tkachuk and Jeremy Roenick have reached out to coach Rick Tocchet since he’s returned to the organization. 

“Who can still play? That’s a good question,” Tocchet said. “I don’t know. A couple guys put some weight on. We’ll have J.R. do the media. That’s all we need J.R. for.” 

Coyotes confidential

Niklas Hjalmarsson

Position: Defense.

Age: 30.

Last season

The veteran defenseman continued to play his shutdown role for the Blackhawks, spending much of the season on the team’s top defensive pairing alongside Duncan Keith. He had five goals and 18 points in 73 games. An impressive shot-blocker, Hjalmarsson got in front of 181 pucks last season to rank sixth in the NHL. The number was also a team-high and career-best total. Arizona acquired Hjalmarsson June 23 in a trade that sent defenseman Connor Murphy and center Laurent Dauphin to Chicago.

2017-18 outlook

Hjalmarsson was added to fill out the Coyotes’ top pairing next to Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The two have played together internationally before with Sweden, and Hjalmarsson’s stay-at-home presence could complement Ekman-Larsson’s offensive flair – although Hjalmarsson could also get up in the rush under new coach Rick Tocchet’s style. Not only should his defending help Arizona’s unit, but his leadership as a three-time Stanley Cup champion is poised to be a significant asset for a young team.

RELATED: Coyotes open training camp with excitement, nerves

Camp focus

After an offseason trade, Hjalmarsson is looking to get familiar with his surroundings.

“A new city,” he said. “The players, the coaches, the rink … everything.” 

Quick hits

Why No. 4: “I always felt like Number 4 is a good defensive number. Just looking back who’s been wearing it before, I think that’s the reason.” 

Best dressed: “I haven’t really spent that much time, so I can’t really say. It’s too early.” 

Favorite social-media follow: “I just follow my closest friends back home.”

Starbucks order: Tall dark roast.

Airplane activity: “Watching a lot of TV shows. We’ll see if I can mix in at least one book so I can get back to reading a bit. But mostly just TV shows.” 

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