Now that the Arizona Coyotes have finished the trip abroad, there was a lot of good that the team can dwell on.
With 25 members of the team’s probable NHL roster, the Coyotes were welcomed by a sell-out crowd in Melbourne for both nights. And with that energy, the Coyotes gave the crowd something special with standout performances from Logan Cooley and the top line of Clayton Keller, Barrett Hayton and Nick Schmaltz.
Although the Coyotes split the series with the Los Angeles Kings, the offense didn’t show signs of jet lag and showed up in both games. The Coyotes won the first game, 5-3, and then fell, 3-2, in the finale.
Staying Cool(ey) in the limelight
Easily the biggest play from the Coyotes came from Logan Cooley’s debut with the team.
Much to the delight of the Australian and Coyotes fans watching, Cooley didn’t hesitate to bring the eye-popping plays from the University of Minnesota to his first preseason action.
The former third overall pick in 2022 has garnered considerable hype and deservingly so. Cooley showed off smooth moves when he spun around and muscled through two Kings defenders for his first goal of the series.
Strategically placed as the center on a line with veteran Jason Zucker and fellow rookie Dylan Guenther, the three seemed to feed off each other. Cooley’s linemates can change throughout the preseason, but no matter where he is, he’ll continue to better his teammates around him with his high IQ.
Speed bonding
Most of last season’s core remains intact, but with several new faces joining the team, it helps to have a way to bond the team.
For the Coyotes, a trip abroad within the first week of training camp provided a valuable opportunity. The free time on the trip mainly comprised of team bonding trips around the area, further deepening the bonds.
Keller, Hayton and Schmaltz spent a considerable amount of time together last season, but the group didn’t show a lot of missed connections in Melbourne with seven points in the series.
Related: Coyotes have sunnier outlook coming into 2023 NHL training camp
Great American road trip
The main group from Australia isn’t set to practice until Thursday, which gives ample time for rest from a 17-hour time difference. However, once the team comes back, it will be back on the road for everyone.
The other groups in training camp were traveling around the country, making stops in Kansas, Missouri, and Texas. In Wichita, Kansas, Josh Doan netted a hat trick in a split-squad game against the St. Louis Blues.
The Coyotes have just four preseason games remaining and only one will be in the state of Arizona. Those four games will be helpful in determining if the Australia group will be the opening night roster or if there will be shakeups.
When the Coyotes take the ice in Tucson on Oct. 7 against the Anaheim Ducks, there will be a lot of decisions made before the season opens on Oct. 13 in New Jersey.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What the Australia trip showed about the Arizona Coyotes, Logan Cooley
