Arizona Coyotes All-Star Break Grades – Lawson Crouse
By Jim Lynch
Lawson Crouse has been a pleasant surprise this season for the Arizona Coyotes, and the great thing is he is only getting better.
Lawson Crouse is only 22 years old, much like a lot of the other Coyotes players on this roster, he still has a very good career ahead of him. Crouse has already proven himself through two full seasons in the NHL. He played 72 games in 2016-17, and 81 games in 2018-19. So far this year Crouse has played in 47 games, and his ice time is only increasing.
Lawson Crouse is playing on average 14:01 minutes a night, which is not bad from a young guy who was drafted in the first round in 2015. Honestly, I can’t wait to see what Crouse can do the rest of the way, especially when you look at who he is playing with.
Crouse is playing with some of the best players in the game in Phil Kessel and Derek Stepan. While Stepan and Kessel both have taken a step back that does not change the fact that the Coyotes are having two of their best veterans help with Crouse’s development. That is a win in my opinion.
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Crouse did not really seem like he was going to be much this season in October and November. However, his speed and skill away from the puck have really turned my attention towards Crouse.
For Lawson Crouse’s contributions on the PK and just all over the ice I give Lawson Crouse a B- rating. Crouse is playing on average 1:25 seconds per game on the PK, via Hockey Reference. I can’t wait to see what Crouse can do with the Coyotes the rest of the way. Honestly, if the team gives him more time in the offensive zone I feel like he could really be an offensive threat with his speed and size.
Crouse is the tallest forward on the roster at 6-4 and he is throwing around his body a lot. Crouse has 148 hits and 24 penalty minutes. Here is to Crouse continuing to improve the rest of the way!