Coyotes Open Preseason Schedule at Vegas

GLENDALE -The Coyotes will begin their 2018 preseason schedule on Sunday when they play the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The puck drops at 5 p.m. AZ time.
Twenty of the 63 players on the training camp roster will compete for Arizona, including Dylan Strome, newcomers Alex Galchenyuk and Michael Grabner, and
2018 first-round draft pick Barrett Hayton
.
Head Coach Rick Tocchet said playing a preseason game on just the third day of training camp is no big deal these days.

"I like practices," Tocchet said. "When you get practice time in, especially with so many guys here, it's huge. Saying that, we'll have practiced twice when we fly up there. It's not a lot of time to prepare, but I don't mind it. You've just got to manage around it."
Looking closely at the roster for the game, it's clear the Coyotes are treating it as the first audition for two defenseman jobs for Opening Night. Jakob Chychrun has yet to skate at camp as he recovers from off-season knee surgery and may not be ready to play when Arizona starts the season at Dallas on Oct. 4. Thus, two jobs appear available on the blue line.
"Obviously, it's a training camp and every year you are vying for an NHL spot, so guys are coming up and trying to take spots," said Jordan Oesterle, one of the six defensemen who is slated to play vs. Vegas. "I'm just trying to win my spot and hopefully go from there and be on the opening night roster. I felt last year (with Chicago) was a big year for me. It gave me a lot of confidence that I can play against top lines in the NHL. I thought I established myself to be able to do that."

Oesterle, whom Arizona acquired via trade with Chicago this summer, hopes to play in many of the team's preseason games.
"I enjoy the preseason," Oesterle said. "I want to play in as many games as I can in the preseason. I think the best way for you to get game ready for the season is by playing as much as you can in the preseason."
Defenseman Jordan Gross also is slated to play in the preseason opener. Gross, a first-year pro after playing four seasons at the University of Notre Dame, also has his sights set on an NHL job.
"My goal is to make the big club right now," Gross said. "I'm here, showing them what I can do and trying to play my game the best that I can and trying to leave a good impression on the coaches. It's going to be a great experience for me being my first time playing in an NHL venue with an NHL club. I'll try not to overthink it and just play to my strengths and play how I would play normally. If you overthink it, you're not going to play your best hockey. I'm just going to go out there and try to enjoy the moment and do the best that I can."

Darcy Kuemper is expected to start in goal for the Coyotes vs. Vegas with Adin Hill serving as his backup.
Center Christian Dvorak will not play vs. Vegas and, like Chychrun, has yet to skate at training camp. He's nursing a preseason lower-body injury.
"Hopefully soon, but I'm not exactly sure when," Tocchet said when asked when Dvorak might hit the ice. "We had some encouraging stuff but it's still a process we have to go through with 'Dvo.'"
Las Vegas radio station(s) Fox Sports 98.9 FM / 1340 AM is planning to broadcast the game.
ARI roster vs. VGK (listed by position, then alphabetically):
Goalies (2): Adin Hill, Darcy Kuemper
Defensemen (6):Kyle Capobianco, Kevin Connauton, Jordan Gross, Ilya Lyubushkin, Trevor Murphy, Jodan Oesterle
Forwards (12): Josh Archibald, Michael Bunting, Lawson Crouse, Christian Fischer, Alex Galchenyuk, Conor Garland, Michael Grabner, Barrett Hayton, Vinnie Hinostroza, Brendan Perlini, Dylan Strome, David Ullstrom