GAMBO

Gambo: Lang is good signing for Coyotes

Sep 29, 2009, 10:26 PM | Updated: Jan 14, 2011, 4:21 pm

The Phoenix Coyotes despite ownership turmoil have just added a front-line center by signing Robert Lang.

Granted Lang is 38-years-old but he is a solid pick up and will be a welcome addition on a young team. Lang had 39 points in 50 games last season for Montreal, missing the end of the season with an achilles injury. He had surgery on the achilles, passed his physical with the Coyotes and should be healthy to go.

Lang’s best years were in Pittsburgh and Detroit. It makes sense to me to pair Lang and Shane Doan on the top line as Lang is the best playmaking center that Phoenix has had since Craig Janney was here. Matthew Lombardi is a second-line center at best and Martin Hanzel is a decent third-line center, so adding Lang addresses the Coyotes major need.

Plus, Lang will likely draw major power-play time and upgrade a unit that had its struggles last season. He had eight power play goals last season. Lang has 252 career goals and has tallied seven 20-goal seasons. This is a nice pick up by General Manager Don Maloney as he just added veteran leadership, a playmaker, addressed his power-play problems and took some of the pressure of Doan.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Gambo

Phoenix Suns' Markieff Morris, left, drives past Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love during the third q...

John Gambadoro

Markieff Morris situation is going to get real ugly for Phoenix Suns

Markieff is not calling back teammates and plans to be very standoffish when he reports to camp.

9 years ago

Arizona Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt, left, greets David Peralta as the two score on a sing...

John Gambadoro

D-backs should stand pat at the trade deadline

With the MLB trade deadline coming up on Friday to me it’s not so much about what the Diamondbacks need to do, but it’s about what not to do.

9 years ago

Follow @Gambo987...

John Gambadoro

Get rid of Markieff Morris? Phoenix Suns shouldn’t go there yet

Look, I get it. You don't like Markieff Morris. You want him gone ASAP. I understand where you are coming from. I do.

9 years ago

Follow @Gambo987...

John Gambadoro

Can Arizona State do better than Herb Sendek?

I do not blame Arizona State for wanting to do better. I question whether they can.

9 years ago

Follow @Gambo987...

John Gambadoro

If you love something, set it free

It will be hard to watch, but Shane Doan needs to finish his career elsewhere, with a chance to win the Stanley Cup.

9 years ago

Follow @Gambo987...

John Gambadoro

Bagging on the fans is a no-win situation

Bagging on the fans is a no-win situation. It's a fight you can't win.

9 years ago

Gambo: Lang is good signing for Coyotes