(Photo: Matt Kartozian, Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)
Exit day came early this year.
Chores generally reserved for the end of the season have occupied Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet while he waits out the NHL's season pause in self-isolation in his Scottsdale home.
Among other things, Tocchet has spent his time watching video, virtually communicating with coaches, and reflecting on what went wrong in the Coyotes 2019-20 season that still had about 15% of the schedule remaining before the season was suspended.
Speaking to reporters in a conference call on Wednesday, Tocchet said the suspension of the season has afforded him extra time to dissect issues within his team, such as why the Coyotes went 14-17 after occupying first place in the Pacific Division as recently as Jan.