Photo courtesy of Arizona Coyotes Imagine how you would feel if you took a 124-day break and then returned to full-time work with an all-or-nothing deadline looming in three weeks. That might give you an inkling of the challenge the Coyotes will face when training camp begins at Gila River Arena on Monday.
Hope they are practicing on how to get the puck to the offensive zone. Even on pp they couldn’t bring the puck up, teams pressed them and they folded a lot. It was so frustrating to watch
Amazing article Craig! Thanks so much for exclusive Coyotes content that isn’t available anywhere else. I found this article extremely interesting, especially with the projected lines. We have so many good players, but it’s sad to see Grabner and Fischer out of the lineup. We all know Grabs stayed in shape. I hope everybody gets an opportunity to make an impact. Looking forward to more from you!
The nature & history of the playoffs suggests that both will play. And don't set those lines in stone. As I noted, they are just my projections and lines are generally fluid.
Craig, how has Michael Grabner been progressing, do you know? ...other than his entertaining c0vid-instagram antics it's been pretty quiet on him. I felt he appeared disoriented this past season and I believe you said he felt his vision wasn't as good as it could have been. I always liked him, I hope he has a strong return.
On my list of stories. I'm not sure there is anything more that can be done with the eye. It's about adapting. I hope he can do it. He can bring a lot to the table when he's right. He's also an incredible human being.
Good to have your articles back, Craig. This one, in particular, was packed with a ton of logistical minutiae I’ve been wondering about but haven’t been able to dig up. Thanks!
Im here Craig!! Also sent emals to subscribe to several friends. Thank you so much for putting in the effort to freelance for us. It really made my day to hear you would do this. Very best to you and your family....LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOOOOWWWWLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!
He likes Keller in the middle and Keller was coming on before the pause (5 goals, 11 points in his last 14 games). I would imagine Tocchet will have a short leash for everybody at this time of year, however.
May your “ letters” have the effect on the hockey fans of the valley as the Apostle Paul’s letters had on the pagans of the Middle East and spread as successfully and as fast for the good of the franchise, the team and we fanatical fans.
Ha, of course I’m no “believer” but the Paul demonstrated the effectiveness of well written articles and the critical importance of the written word.
Your job is important sir. Never doubt it and may you succeed to the benefit of us all!
P.S. I couldn’t imagine Hall going to Colorado.. I admire the Avalanche.. just the names of the players seem unbeatable...
Five games in eight days will be taxing on both teams. Hill will obviously be the “black ace” goalie. I am interested in who you BA to forward and defenseman would be. I would guess Chaput and Capobianco.
I am very interested in seeing a healthy Kessle, OEL and Chychrun play. I am interested in seeing how the younger players perform. Can they live up to the moment?
Stepan on PP1 makes me queasy. Dvorak wins more face-offs, is better in front of the net, faster, has a better shot, and has some chemistry with Hall. Put the kid in coach!
I imagine that Tocchet will be very quick with the hook on any underperforming player given the short and perhaps final nature of each series. If he is not quick to make adjustments, which has been his nature sometimes in the past, there needs to be a look at his coaching style. Kessel included.
It will be such a relief to scream at the television for a different reason, at least for awhile.
lol
Would love it if some of the practices were live streamed? Have you heard anything about that?
I will ask.
TBD on streaming, per Coyotes media relations.
I was going to make that same suggestion.
I'm going to predict Fischer & Lyubushkin will get substantial ice time. Two big bodies the Coyotes will definitely need for playoff hockey.
As I said elsewhere, the nature of the postseason with its injuries and ebbs and flows supports your notion.
Yea I'll take Boosh over Oesterle based on their performances this year.
Lyubushkin has the advantage of being right-handed. Rick Tocchet likes rightie-leftie splits whenever possible.
Hope they are practicing on how to get the puck to the offensive zone. Even on pp they couldn’t bring the puck up, teams pressed them and they folded a lot. It was so frustrating to watch
In fact, they were working on the breakout on Tuesday. I agree that a quick transition game is vital to their success.
Amazing article Craig! Thanks so much for exclusive Coyotes content that isn’t available anywhere else. I found this article extremely interesting, especially with the projected lines. We have so many good players, but it’s sad to see Grabner and Fischer out of the lineup. We all know Grabs stayed in shape. I hope everybody gets an opportunity to make an impact. Looking forward to more from you!
The nature & history of the playoffs suggests that both will play. And don't set those lines in stone. As I noted, they are just my projections and lines are generally fluid.
Craig, how has Michael Grabner been progressing, do you know? ...other than his entertaining c0vid-instagram antics it's been pretty quiet on him. I felt he appeared disoriented this past season and I believe you said he felt his vision wasn't as good as it could have been. I always liked him, I hope he has a strong return.
On my list of stories. I'm not sure there is anything more that can be done with the eye. It's about adapting. I hope he can do it. He can bring a lot to the table when he's right. He's also an incredible human being.
I'd imagine Carl Söderberg has some tips and tricks on how to deal with that.
Indeed. I talked to him about it last year: https://theathletic.com/1288601/2019/10/12/carl-soderberg-overcame-impaired-vision-to-forge-a-productive-nhl-career/
FYI: https://twitter.com/CraigSMorgan/status/1282691923262631936
Good to have your articles back, Craig. This one, in particular, was packed with a ton of logistical minutiae I’ve been wondering about but haven’t been able to dig up. Thanks!
Happy to help, Tim. Thanks for reading.
Im here Craig!! Also sent emals to subscribe to several friends. Thank you so much for putting in the effort to freelance for us. It really made my day to hear you would do this. Very best to you and your family....LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOOOOWWWWLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Ryan!
Tocc seriously needs to think about swapping Keller and Garland on the PP units. Seriously.
He likes Keller in the middle and Keller was coming on before the pause (5 goals, 11 points in his last 14 games). I would imagine Tocchet will have a short leash for everybody at this time of year, however.
Excellent article as usual.
This being the last free article, I say,
May your “ letters” have the effect on the hockey fans of the valley as the Apostle Paul’s letters had on the pagans of the Middle East and spread as successfully and as fast for the good of the franchise, the team and we fanatical fans.
Ha, of course I’m no “believer” but the Paul demonstrated the effectiveness of well written articles and the critical importance of the written word.
Your job is important sir. Never doubt it and may you succeed to the benefit of us all!
P.S. I couldn’t imagine Hall going to Colorado.. I admire the Avalanche.. just the names of the players seem unbeatable...
LETS GO YOTES!
Thanks, Robert. Here we go...
I bet if Tocc was playing craps, he'd bet on the "Don't Pass" line.
Five games in eight days will be taxing on both teams. Hill will obviously be the “black ace” goalie. I am interested in who you BA to forward and defenseman would be. I would guess Chaput and Capobianco.
I am very interested in seeing a healthy Kessle, OEL and Chychrun play. I am interested in seeing how the younger players perform. Can they live up to the moment?
They can take 31 teams to Edmonton so which replacement they use in case of an injury would probably depend on which player got hurt.
Stepan on PP1 makes me queasy. Dvorak wins more face-offs, is better in front of the net, faster, has a better shot, and has some chemistry with Hall. Put the kid in coach!
Face-offs are indeed critical on a PP.
Faceoffs are indeed critical.... nevermind just on PP ;-)
I imagine that Tocchet will be very quick with the hook on any underperforming player given the short and perhaps final nature of each series. If he is not quick to make adjustments, which has been his nature sometimes in the past, there needs to be a look at his coaching style. Kessel included.