Rick Tocchet and the Arizona Coyotes need to stay consistent despite the acquisition of Taylor Hall. Adding one talented Hart Trophy winner should not change the message in the Arizona locker room. Rather let Hall meet the ‘Yotes system.
Things have been going well for the Coyotes so far this season. Despite an injury to Niklas Hjalmarsson early in the season, and a tough month of hockey in November, the Coyotes find themselves in competition for the top spot within the Pacific Division. Adding a player like Taylor Hall is a great thing, as long as they do it the right way.
The Arizona Coyotes did not lose a single player that is on their NHL roster when they traded for Taylor Hall. Rather they gave up a few prospects and some draft picks. In my opinion, the Coyotes need to make sure they don’t change their system for Taylor Hall, rather let Hall complement their system.
Arizona is a team that prides themselves on their defensive play. That should not change with Taylor Hall. The Coyotes have the best goal differential in the Pacific Division, with a positive 13, that beats out every other team in the division, with teams like Edmonton at a negative 2. Now I know a thing like a goal differential might seem like a very trivial thing, but when you have a team that scores so many goals like Edmonton, and yet they struggle to stop the puck so much.
Arizona is not a team that will outscore teams and win a game 5-4. Rather they are a hard-working team that will win games because of their great defensive play and by capitalizing on big scoring chances. That can not change.
Arizona now has a lineup stacked with talented players. I can not wait to watch tonight’s game against the San Jose Sharks and see this team in action. It might take some time to get Taylor Hall acquainted with the new system, but I am sure he can get things down.
Pretty soon we are going to see players like Phil Kessel and Taylor Hall going down the rush together in an NHL game. We are not the only people excited about Hall joining the team either, listen to Taylor Hall sharing his thoughts on the trade with Craig Morgan of The Athletic
Puck drop is tonight at 8:30 against the San Jose Sharks. We have a very big divisional matchup tonight against San Jose, and we can really use the win! What are your predictions on Rick Tocchet’s lines tonight against Sharks?