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What to Expect From Coyotes Core in 2023-24

The Coyotes‘ core took a big leap during the 2022-23 season. Guys like Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Barrett Hayton, and Lawson Crouse all had massive years. Those are the guys you want leading your team, and they did that and some this year.

That’s the core you want to build your team around, and that’s what general manager Bill Armstrong has done. From Kellers 86 point campaign to Hayton’s second-half surge, there is a lot to take away from it.

What can we expect from the Coyotes core in 2023-24? Can success continue?

Coyotes’ Core Leading Team To Success

Clayton Keller

Clayton Keller arguably had the best season from a Coyote since Keith Tkachuk. With his 86 points, he put on a show all season long. Not only did he show up on the stat sheet, but he also showed what he can do in a leadership role.

Coming back from a devastating injury that saw Keller break his femur, doing this wasn’t easy.

“I think for a lot of players, hockey is most of our lives and when it’s taken away from you, you kind of put things in perspective and realize just how special and lucky we are to play this game and play it at a high level. Keller said. My dad [Bryan] always told me, ‘Play every shift like it’s your last’ and that stuck with me. I think realizing that it can be taken from you at any second is kind of what helped me push through it and maybe focus on my game even more.”

Clayton Keller is the frontrunner to be the next captain for the Coyotes, and coming back from an injury like this shows why. The dedication and passion for the game to come back is why he’s part of this young Coyotes core.

He wants it as bad as anyone else does; we should see him continue succeeding for years to come in the desert.

Lawson Crouse

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Lawson Crouse, or ‘The Sheriff,’ has taken a prominent role with the Coyotes. With Crouse being one of the more experienced players on the team, he’s been able to mentor some of the young guys. Guys like Matias Maccelli and Dylan Guenther have benefited from the leadership he brings.

“I’m not afraid to speak up if I need to, but I try and lead with my daily habits, and just the way that I play, and the way that I approach things,” Crouse said. “If I can help some of the young guys grow as people and as players, that’s huge, and that’s the ultimate goal.” This leadership role should continue to grow more and more as Crouse develops more as a player.

 

Crouses’ 24 goals this past season was a career-high, as well as his 45 points. His frame is also desirable, especially for a young Coyotes team. Standing in at 6-foot-4, he has all the intangibles to continue growing as a player and guide younger players on the team.

Crouse will look to aim for 30 goals next year; it’s only a matter of time before he hits it.

Barrett Hayton

Barrett Hayton took a massive leap in his development this past season. The 22-year-old ended the season with 45 points which was a career-high. Much of his success was due to his linemates in, Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller.

The former fifth-overall pick has struggled much of his career; inconsistent play has plagued him throughout. Despite the early career mishaps, the Ontario native has changed how people see him after his 2022-23 campaign.

With Hayton not necessarily living up to the fifth overall hype, he has removed the bust label. Having teammates like Keller, Crouse, and Schmaltz, Hayton has been able to elevate his game more and more each year.

The Coyotes and Hayton will want to see more growth heading into next year, but this season was a stride in the correct direction.

Nick Schmaltz

Nick Schmaltz has always been a consistent player for the Coyotes. During this past season, he continued showing his effectiveness having 58 points in 63 games. As previously mentioned, the line of Keller, Hayton, and Schmaltz was one of the most dynamic lines in the NHL.

“When it’s time to work, I want to make sure I’m leading that way, working hard, not taking any drills off or taking any shortcuts, and paving the way for some of these younger guys coming up,” he said. “Hopefully we get some of these younger guys involved and they take the next step.”

Nick Schmaltz’s name was floated around during the trade deadline, but he was never traded. Assuming he is on the team to start the 2023-24 season, he is a core piece moving forward. He has been unlucky staying healthy, but a healthy year could see many personal records broken.

Schmaltz has been a key piece of this team since being traded to the Coyotes in 2018 and will look to continue that going into next season.

Karel Vejmelka

The backbone of the Coyotes. Despite the team being in a lengthy rebuild, Vejmelka has done a fantastic job. He ended his 2022-23 campaign with a 3.43 GAA (goals against average) and a .900 SV% (save percentage). Despite the numbers not popping out, he played hard every game, putting this team in a spot to compete.

Vejmelka came out of nowhere for the Coyotes in the 2021-22 season. Since then, he has been the Coyote’s netminder going forward and hasn’t looked back.

With success comes struggles. In January, he was 0-5 with a 4.53 goals-against average and a .876 save percentage. He battled back for the latter half of the season, especially at Mullett Arena.

With the Coyotes extending the Trebic, CZE native in 2021, he will certainly have a roster spot with the Coyotes next season. When Vejmelka is on the ice, the Coyotes have a chance to win; he’s a game-changer despite the underwhelming stats.

Main Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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