Wayne Gretzky's version of the domino effect has things falling into place for the Coyotes.
Not wanting to overload one line and possible hinder another, he has tinkered this season, looking for balance. And when center Joel Perreault was recalled from San Antonio, he gave Gretzky the flexibility he was seeking, as he was able to revamp the lines.
He likes what he sees now with Perreault centering the first line with rookie Peter Mueller and captain Shane Doan. As a result, center Steven Reinprecht has now formed a solid presence on the ice with Radim Vrbata.
"Rhino has really been good with Vrbata," Gretzky said. "But we wouldn't be able to do that if Perreault hadn't been able to step in and play at the level he's played. We're really impressed by how he's developed as a player, how hard he's played. "I think more importantly, he's worked pretty hard the last six months on power skating. It's a great example, it doesn't matter how old you are, you can still work on your skating. He put a lot of time into it, it's clear. He's a stronger, better skater than he was last year."
Perreault, 24, has 5 goals and 10 points since his recall on from San Antonio.
He says he has worked a lot on his skating but that getting a lot of playing time in the minors, 25 to 30 minutes a game, aided his development, and that getting ice time in the NHL has boosted his confidence.
"Every hockey player, if he comes into a big part of the game and when you know you can make a turnover or mistake you know you're going back the next shift, you try more stuff on the ice and playing with two good players helps.
"Shane has been around for a long time, and Peter is a good young player. Everytime we go on the ice, we know we have a chance to score a goal, and think we've been playing well on both sides."
His mind-set got another boost when Gretzky made him No. 3 in the shootout order.
"Players like to go one-on-one against the goalie, so it shows a lot of confidence by the coach," he said.
Doan emphasized that Perault has played big minutes in key situation and has scored, along with getting big hits.
"He's played physical, and he's done the things that are tough to do. His overall game, he's just playing with confidence, that's really it. "Timing is huge for everybody. He's been put in a situation that's been good for him. Petey and I enjoy playing with him. I think he's definitely more noticeable, but he's definitely getting more minutes in key situations."
Doan surging
Doan, the NHL's third-leading scorer in January who scored the Coyotes' first goal against Nashville on Monday.
"He's been really good," Gretzky said. "It's one of the best stretches I've seen him play. He's playing with a great deal of confidence right now, energy, and he's physical. When Shane's more physical and has a physical presence, he scores more points, he scores more goals."
Not wanting to overload one line and possible hinder another, he has tinkered this season, looking for balance. And when center Joel Perreault was recalled from San Antonio, he gave Gretzky the flexibility he was seeking, as he was able to revamp the lines.
He likes what he sees now with Perreault centering the first line with rookie Peter Mueller and captain Shane Doan. As a result, center Steven Reinprecht has now formed a solid presence on the ice with Radim Vrbata.
"Rhino has really been good with Vrbata," Gretzky said. "But we wouldn't be able to do that if Perreault hadn't been able to step in and play at the level he's played. We're really impressed by how he's developed as a player, how hard he's played. "I think more importantly, he's worked pretty hard the last six months on power skating. It's a great example, it doesn't matter how old you are, you can still work on your skating. He put a lot of time into it, it's clear. He's a stronger, better skater than he was last year."
Perreault, 24, has 5 goals and 10 points since his recall on from San Antonio.
He says he has worked a lot on his skating but that getting a lot of playing time in the minors, 25 to 30 minutes a game, aided his development, and that getting ice time in the NHL has boosted his confidence.
"Every hockey player, if he comes into a big part of the game and when you know you can make a turnover or mistake you know you're going back the next shift, you try more stuff on the ice and playing with two good players helps.
"Shane has been around for a long time, and Peter is a good young player. Everytime we go on the ice, we know we have a chance to score a goal, and think we've been playing well on both sides."
His mind-set got another boost when Gretzky made him No. 3 in the shootout order.
"Players like to go one-on-one against the goalie, so it shows a lot of confidence by the coach," he said.
Doan emphasized that Perault has played big minutes in key situation and has scored, along with getting big hits.
"He's played physical, and he's done the things that are tough to do. His overall game, he's just playing with confidence, that's really it. "Timing is huge for everybody. He's been put in a situation that's been good for him. Petey and I enjoy playing with him. I think he's definitely more noticeable, but he's definitely getting more minutes in key situations."
Doan surging
Doan, the NHL's third-leading scorer in January who scored the Coyotes' first goal against Nashville on Monday.
"He's been really good," Gretzky said. "It's one of the best stretches I've seen him play. He's playing with a great deal of confidence right now, energy, and he's physical. When Shane's more physical and has a physical presence, he scores more points, he scores more goals."
