Tocchet probably won't name Raanta an alternate captain before the season starts, but only because he's a goalie and it's not a traditional move. That doesn't mean Tocchet doesn't expect Raanta to play a key role in the team's leadership group.
"He's got leadership skills," Tocchet said. "To me, a leader is what he just did. He had to work on his fitness and he did this summer. I think he realized if he wants to be a No. 1 (goalie) he has to train like a No.1 and not like a backup. I think that's what he did."
Countdown to Opening Night
The Coyotes missed Raanta at the start of last season as he played just three games in October. The team struggled without him and posted a deflating 1-11-1 record in the first month. Arizona is focussing intently on starting the season better this year, and Raanta's performance will be key to accomplishing that goal.
"Antti was unbelievable for us last year," forward Clayton Keller said. "Having him in net to start the season is going to be huge."
Raanta likes playing and living in Arizona. It's calm and quiet here, he said, and it already "feels like home" to him and his family.
"Every day when you wake up and the sun is shining you just feel like it's going to be a good day, and I think that's a big part of feeling so comfortable here," Raanta said. "It's never too bad when it's warm and sunny. It's a great place to be, and what we are building here, I think it's going to be a big thing. Obviously you see that we made a lot of moves in the summertime, so the organization is behind us also. They want us to be successful and you want to be a goalie for that kind of team."