'Yotes Notes: Galchenyuk Likely to Play vs. Columbus

COLUMBUS --Head Coach Rick Tocchet said center Alex Galchenyuk, who has missed the first seven games of the season because of a lower-body injury, would be a game-time decision for Tuesday's game at the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Galchenyuk has been cleared to return to the lineup and skated on the top line with wingers Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse at Monday's practice at Nationwide Arena.

The Coyotes acquired Galchenyuk over the summer in a trade that sent Max Domi to the Montreal Canadiens. He appeared in two preseason games, but suffered his injury during the second one and has been sidelined since.
"I don't want him to think that he has to carry this team," Tocchet said. "I don't want him to play too fancy, that's just going to defeat the purpose. He's just got to be Alex Galchenyuk - play smart, go hard and shoot when you can. He's got a great shot. We need that shot in the lineup."

Arizona ranks last in the NHL with 10 goals in seven games. His teammates are eager for Galchenyuk, who has scored 108 goals in 418 NHL games, to make his debut for the Coyotes. He scored twice in one preseason game vs. Los Angeles.
"We all know what kind of player he is," Alex Goligoski said. "He can score. He can create a lot of offense. We've kind of been missing a little bit of that scoring touch so maybe it's a good time for him to jump back in there."
Keller agrees.
"He's got a heck of a shot," Keller said. "I've seen it in practice and preseason."

• Tocchet said he's liked what he's seen from Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the ice the past two games - four assists, five shots - and in the dressing room as the new captain of the team.
"He's really led," Tocchet said. "Sure he's upset that we lose, but I know that he's not accepting excuses from the teammates. I love that about him. He's got to continue to do that."

• Forwards Christian Fischer and Lawson Crouse have been playing more on this road trip as they earn Tocchet's trust and produce points and chances.
"They go to the net," Tocchet said. "Off the draws they're really good. They're chasing people down. It's funny, when you do video with those guys and you're practicing and they take reps, they apply (what's discussed) in the games. 'Crouser' has come a long way and he can't stop. He's got to be careful. He can't get complacent in this league. But, for me, him and 'Fish' have added an element to middle drive, things like that, that's why we're getting our chances because they're middle driving. We have to have everybody have that same attitude."

• Richard Panik, who has produced just one assist in seven games, is expected to be a healthy scratch for Tuesday's game.
"I haven't liked his game the last two, three games," Tocchet said. "He's got to be an A and B player. He's got to win some battles, he's got to go to the net, he's got to make good puck decisions, and he's got to make good decisions in his own end. I've felt that he hasn't made good decisions. The same thing happened when we traded for him (last season). He went through a spell and we sat him out, and he played better. It's up to him. He's got to show me that he wants to play."