‘Yotes Notes: Rieder’s top-six role a product of circumstance and reliability

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Coyotes right wing Tobias Rieder is averaging 15:40 of ice time per game, the fifth-highest total among the team’s forwards. His 13:35 of ice time at even strength ranks fourth among Arizona forwards.

He is quite obviously playing a top-six role alongside center Derek Stepan and left wing Brendan Perlini, the most frequent forward combination coach Rick Tocchet has employed this season.

At the same time, Rieder is sixth among Coyotes forwards in goals (6), eighth in shots (55) and tied for seventh in points (13) with Anthony Duclair, who has played 10 fewer games.

The explanation for Rieder’s marquee role is nuanced but it starts, in Tocchet’s mind, with defensive play.

“We’ve been playing that line against top lines and if they can neutralize that top line it’s a win-win for us,” Tocchet said. “If he can chip in some goals that would be great. He’s got to shoot the puck more and he’s got to get a little more inside the dots — little things like that will help his game.

“I don’t want them just to be defensive players. If they’ve got a chance to score they’ve got to score. The best way to check the great players is have the puck on your stick. Throwing pucks away, to me, is not the way to defend against great players.”

Rieder’s Corsi For percentage of 44.9 at even strength ranks well below Stepan’s (49.6) and below Perlini’s (46.8). In fact, it ranks 15th among Coyotes forwards who have played at least nine games, but Rieder’s goals for percentage of 45.24 is the best among forwards currently on the Coyotes’ roster, suggesting he is at least helping keep opponents off the scoreboard.

Consistent scoring has always been the knock on Rieder. He had 13, 14 and 16 goals in his first three NHL seasons, to go along with 21, 37 and 34 points. Rieder has worked tirelessly on his shot and his ability to finish around the net, a skill that would complement one of the fastest set of legs on the team. It just hasn’t translated to a 20-goal ceiling. With Rieder set to turn 25 on Jan. 10 it may never happen.

“You’d like to contribute a little more but I’m just trying to work hard and if you don’t have the luck, maybe it’s coming,” said Rieder, who has earned the trust of successive coaching staffs for his all-around play. “I’m trying to be good in the defensive side of the game and everything else will come. Contribute offensively, be good defensively, try to be solid everywhere on the ice.”

Another explanation for Rieder’s bigger role can be found in the Coyotes’ lack of depth at right wing. Duclair has been in Tocchet’s doghouse for mental lapses, and effort lapses, just as he found himself in Dave Tippett’s doghouse, and before that, his junior coaches.

Christian Fischer has stepped into a bigger role alongside Max Domi and Clayton Keller, but with Duclair still trying to earn his stripes with the new staff, the Coyotes don’t have another good option.

Josh Archibald and Nick Cousins are bottom-six forwards, Keller has moved back to the right side where he is more comfortable and Nick Merkley isn’t ready for the NHL.

In a perfect world, Rieder would probably be manning a third-line role where his skill-set would be a luxury. Regardless of where you stand on Duclair’s usage, the Coyotes do not believe they have that luxury yet, so they will continue to rely on a player who brings an honest effort each night, makes good decisions with and without the puck and continues to hone his skill set.

“I would hope I’ve improved everything,” said Rieder, who will be a restricted free agent after the season, “but maybe just being smarter in the defensive zone and winning more battles along the walls. That’s a huge part for Toc, which makes sense. If you win the battles on the wall, most of the time you have a better chance to win the game.”

LOOSE PUCKS

— General manager John Chayka said the plan is for defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson to practice with the team on Saturday, a clear sign that he is nearing a return to the lineup.

Hjalmarsson hasn’t played since sustaining an upper-body injury against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on Nov. 28. Hjalmarsson has been skating on his own. He has only played in 17 of the Coyotes’ 40 games.

— Forward Brad Richardson (upper body) remains out of the lineup.

— Forward Zac Rinaldo will serve the third game of his six-game suspension on Sunday.

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Coyotes at Ducks
When: 2 p.m., Sunday
Where: Honda Center
TV: FOX Sports Arizona
Radio: KTAR News 92.3 FM
Records: Coyotes — 9-26-5. Ducks — 16-14-8.

Injury/suspension report: Coyotes — D Niklas Hjalmarsson (upper body) is day to day. F Brad Richardson (upper body) is week to week. F Zac Rinaldo is suspended. Ducks — F Corey Perry (lower body) is week-to-week and has yet to resume skating. F Patrick Eaves (Guillain-Barre Syndrome) is out indefinitely.

Ducks scouting report: The injury-ravaged Ducks are starting to get healthy. C Ryan Kesler (offseason hip surgery) made his season debut in a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. As of Dec. 21, the Ducks had lost a league-high 208 man-games to injury. … F Rickard Rakell leads the team with 11 goals and 25 points. … F Dennis Rasmussen cleared waivers and was re-assigned to the San Diego Gulls of the AHL. … Anaheim hosted Calgary on Friday.

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