‘Yotes Notes: Reunion week for Coyotes at Gila River Arena

GLENDALE, Ariz. — It feels like reunion this week at Gila River Arena. A pair of ex-Coyotes have visited or will visit the team that drafted them when Dallas Stars center Martin Hanzal faced the Coyotes on Thursday and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy comes to town Saturday.

“I think it’s always going to feel weird because I spent such a long time here,” said Hanzal, who has a goal in seven games for Dallas. “It’s probably never going to go away.”

Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said he’s still not sure what he has in Hanzal due to missed time with an ankle injury.

“He plays a lot in every situation,” Hitchcock said. “He’s got a defensive role but the offensive role to me is still the emerging one because he hasn’t been able to play with anybody on a consistent basis. We don’t know where that role is going to go, but we know the other role is solid as hell and it helps us win games.”

Hanzal bought a home about halfway between the Stars’ practice rink and American Airlines Center and said he is enjoying playing for a team that has Stanley Cup aspirations this season.

“I want to win,” he said. “I’ve been in this league a long time. Look at our lineup. We’ve got skill, we’ve got a great goaltender, we’ve got hard workers and a solid D. They don’t hide it. They want to win and they want to win now.”

Hanzal is also enjoying watching his son, Marty Jr. (6) play hockey.

“When you see your son growing up and now I watch him play, it’s the best feeling you can have,” he said. “You watched his first footsteps and now he’s playing the same game.”

Things haven’t gone as smoothly for Murphy. He has been a healthy scratch twice, but was in the lineup for the last two games, both losses.

“Whether it’s a rotation or one guy’s in there for a stretch, it’s early and we want to get a better idea too on everybody,” coach Joel Quenneville told The Athletic Chicago. “Everyone wants to make a contribution, not just one guy, everybody in the depth position we’re in. But it’s still part of the decision-making process and some nights they’re easier, but I like when we have to make tough ones.”

Murphy’s numbers haven’t been great. He has no points and a 45.10 Corsi For percentage in six games. Murphy, 24, has four years remaining on his contract at a $3.85 million cap hit.

KELLER’S CHASE

Here are some numbers to keep an eye on for Coyotes rookie forward Clayton Keller, who led all NHL rookies with five goals heading into Monday’s action.

Keller has five goals, two assists and seven points in seven games.

Peter Mueller holds the Coyotes (not including Winnipeg years) rookie records for goals (22) and points (54). Max Domi holds the Coyotes rookie record for assists (34).

We won’t tell you that Keller is on pace for 59 goals and 82 points because he probably won’t keep up this pace.

POSITIVE SIGN OEL

Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson got off to a rough start this season. That’s nothing new.

“If you look back at the seven years I’ve been in the league, I’ve always been a slow starter,” he said. “I wish I knew why because then I could do something about it, but at the same time, this is a little bit different because there is so much new stuff you need to focus on and kind of get your legs under you a little bit. Sometimes, you’ve got to take a couple steps and do the right things and don’t complicate it.”

Ekman-Larsson took a step in that direction in Thursday’s 5-4 loss to Dallas. He had an assist, and he consistently drove possession and offense.

“He led tonight,” coach Rick Tocchet said after the game. “He controlled the play and he played a lot of minutes tonight (25:24) so that was great. I thought Oliver was really good tonight.”

Ekman-Larsson said there was a simple formula.

“I felt that I had the puck a little bit more,” he said. “That’s my game. That’s when I’m feeling better when I have the puck instead of chasing it around all the time.”

LOOSE PUCKS 

— Goalie Antti Raanta (muscle strain, lower body) and forward Brendan Perlini (upper body, IR) remain day-to-day but they will travel with the team when it departs Sunday on a five-game road trip through the three New York-area teams, Philadelphia and Detroit.

— Center Brad Richardson (lower body) is questionable to play on Saturday against Chicago.

Blackhawks at Coyotes

When: 6 p.m., Saturday
Where: Gila River Arena
TV: FOX Sports Arizona Plus
Radio: ESPN 620 AM
Records: Coyotes — 0-6-1. Blackhawks — 4-2-2.

Injury report: Coyotes — D Jakob Chychrun (knee) and F Brendan Perlini (upper body) are on injured reserve. G Antti Raanta (lower body) is day-to-day. C Brad Richardson (lower body) will skate Saturday morning and be a game-day decision. Blackhawks — Fs Marian Hossa (progressive skin disorder), Jordin Tootoo (upper body) and D Michal Rozsival (upper body) are on long-term injured reserve.

Blackhawks scouting report: — The Blackhawks are 1-2-1 in their last four games after a 4-0-1 start. … F Patrick Kane has a goal and four points during a four-game point streak. He leads Chicago with three goals and 10 points in eight games. … Former Coyotes D Connor Murphy has only played in six of Chicago’s eight games.

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