Gambo: Lang is good signing for Coyotes
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.
