Despite losing 3-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night, there was one specific positive note that came out of the game. Upon Barrett Hayton’s return to the lineup, coach André Tourigny paired the 23-year-old center on a line alongside Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther. This ended up turning out to be a great decision by Tourigny. The three young forwards were dominant at times through Thursday night’s game as they possessed the puck in the offensive zone for long periods of time, using their blazing fast speed and dynamic playmaking skills. 20240208_Hayton_PostGame_FTP “It was great,” Hayton said of playing with Cooley and Guenther. “Those guys are unbelievable young talents. I think a couple of those games heading into the stretch you can see their games coming together. They are building some chemistry and stuff. It was great to be able to jump in with those guys.” To start the season, Hayton was on a line with Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, but Jack McBain has recently filled the center role. Hayton may work his way back onto the Coyotes’ top line as he continues to get healthier. However, his presence could also help Cooley and Guenther improve even further. These three forwards complement each other well. Cooley is an explosive skater, Guenther has a powerful shot and is a clever playmaker and Hayton is a gritty two-way center that can really do it all while on the ice. Cooley, Guenther and Hayton were exciting to watch on Thursday night and will certainly create many more highlight reel type plays if they are to stay together.
