ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes GM John Chayka is striving for a higher standard

Apr 4, 2018, 10:50 AM | Updated: 10:51 am

Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka speaks to the media at an introductory press conference...

Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka speaks to the media at an introductory press conference at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on July 13, 2017. (Matt Layman/Arizona Sports)

(Matt Layman/Arizona Sports)

LISTEN: John Chayka, Arizona Coyotes GM

Coyotes GM John Chayka is enjoying the team’s recent success with four wins in its last five games and not falling into any sort of superstitious trap.

“I don’t believe in superstition,” said Chayka, who joined 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf Wednesday.

Two successful months at the end of the season have not made the early season struggles that have kept the Coyotes on the bottom of the Western Conference standings less painful.

“We have a different standard that we are trying to get to here,” Chayka said. “Playing good hockey down the stretch is part of the process, but it’s not the definition of success.”

Transitioning with a first-year head coach in Rick Tocchet coupled with the departure of 14-year captain Shane Doan, improvement was the most positive takeaway for a young squad that began the season with just one win in 13 games in the month of October.

Chyaka’s young roster was composed of three players under the age of 21 in Clayton Keller, Christian Fischer and Jakob Chychrun.

The return of goalie Antti Raanta who is in the top 3 in goals against average and save percentage, a second half resurgence of veteran Oliver Ekman-Larsson and continuity with 27-year-old newcomer Derek Stepan helped the team gel in the latter portion of the season, leading to more wins.

“I think our group has been the most improved in the league,” Chayka said. “We made some tweaks, we made some adjustments, but by and large I think we pretty much stuck to the plan here.”

The Coyotes wrap up the season with a road game against the Canucks on Thursday at 7 p.m. and the home finale against the Ducks on Saturday at 6 p.m. Both games can be heard on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.  

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

Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes F Logan Cooley...

Associated Press

Logan Cooley nabs 1st career hat trick as Coyotes end Predators’ points streak

Logan Cooley had his first NHL hat trick and the Arizona Coyotes snapped the Nashville Predators’ point streak.

7 hours ago

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

2 days ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

2 days ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

4 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

4 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

6 days ago

Coyotes GM John Chayka is striving for a higher standard