Arizona Coyotes rookies audition for training-camp spot

The rising cost of free agents, a sluggish trade market and the need for change after consecutive non-playoff finishes have left the Coyotes more willing than usual to integrate youth into the roster.

Before the veterans report Thursday, management will have a chance to determine just how many players are in consideration for a promotion — and whether the shift in philosophy was the right call — by sizing up the prospects at this year's rookie camp, which begins Saturday at Gila River Arena.

"We've really made a concerted effort to leave opportunity for some of our younger players," General Manager Don Maloney said. "We passed on players that wanted to come here, experienced players that are decent NHL players, to give our young players a legitimate chance to make the roster at the start of the season."

The camp features 29 players. Many are Coyotes draft picks, including this year's first selection, Brendan Perlini, and former first-round picks Max Domi and Henrik Samuelsson.

Others are American Hockey League prospects and a handful of players on an amateur tryout.

The Coyotes have 20 one-way contracts on the books, leaving three spots open at the outset of camp. For any of these prospects to have a lengthy audition alongside the veterans, they'll have to impress in practice and in scrimmages. The Coyotes will host the rookies from the Kings for a pair of games Tuesday and Wednesday.

"For a young player, you can't afford off days," Maloney said. "You can't afford to be poor in practice. Basically, at the end of the day, Dave Tippett and the coaching staff, they're looking at the team and saying, 'Who can help us win right now?' Maybe a younger guy gets a little longer of a rope, but not a lot."

Domi and Samuelsson are among a select group of players who will be given a serious look. Center Tyler Gaudet and wingers Lucas Lessio and Tobias Rieder are also high on the coaching staff's radar.

"They're all intriguing in their own way, and they've all had great success at the lower level," Maloney said. "But they have to come in here, and now it's no more trial and error. You have to show up and win a job."

Lessio and Rieder played in the AHL last season, and Gaudet had a brief stint in Portland, perhaps putting all three ahead of the pack because of their familiarity with the pro game. Domi and Samuelsson are the most offensively creative of the bunch, and that draws attention — especially after the Coyotes finished 20th in the NHL last season in goals per game (2.56).

The team also lost winger Radim Vrbata via free agency, and he was consistently good for 20 goals a season.

"It's definitely a little pressure, but this is why we play the game — to get to the next level," Samuelsson said. "So it's good pressure. I don't mind it."

Domi was among the final cuts at last season's camp, and his inclusion on the roster this go-round would deliver the speed and energy Maloney identified as needs after last season's disappointing finish. The potential of that happening isn't fazing the 19-year-old.

"Just gotta take it day by day and not really think about the long run," Domi said. "Just have fun and enjoy it. That's what I'm looking forward to doing."

Camp schedule

Rookie camp starts Saturday with a practice from 1:45 to 3 p.m. On-ice sessions Sunday and Monday will include practices and a scrimmage and run 10 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. The Coyotes will scrimmage the Kings on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

All sessions are at Gila River Arena and are free and open to the public. Enter the arena at Gate 3.