While the Arizona Coyotes offense has not been bad by any means, the team is missing crucial centers that would help elevate their forward corps to a different level. Both Barrett Hayton and Jack McBain have been out due to injuries which has certainly made an impact for the Coyotes. When Arizona was in the midst of their five-game winning streak, it seemed that they could do no wrong. However, now with two consecutive losses under their belt, it’s easy to see there are a couple glaring weaknesses in this roster. Hayton and McBain really do play big roles for the Coyotes and their absence is starting to become more noticed. André Tourigny spoke following the Coyotes 5-3 loss to the Bruins. Hayton is the team’s de facto number one center alongside Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz. He may not have as much raw talent as these two players, but Hayton plays a scrappy and hard-nosed game which helps elevate Keller and Schmaltz. Not only is Hayton on Arizona’s top line but he makes a big impact defensively as well, playing on the penalty kill and is arguably the Coyotes best two-way center. McBain really helps balance out the lineup since his presence makes the Coyotes fourth line a real threat to produce and be effective on the ice. Along with Liam O’Brien, McBain provides a source of physicality that spreads rapidly to the rest of the team. Similar to Hayton, McBain also plays on the penalty kill and uses his physical game and big frame to assist the Coyotes on the defensive end. Without these two players, Arizona’s center depth is not at its strongest and André Tourigny has been forced to put players in positions they are generally accustomed to being in. Whenever the return of Hayton and McBain does come, the Coyotes will be a more complete offensive unit and should be able to reach their highest potential as a group.
