There was a time last season when Lawson Crouse was rewarded with a promotion to the Coyotes’ top line, a golden opportunity to play alongside Clayton Keller and Alex Galchenyuk.
Crouse’s hard-hitting yet quietly skilled game yielded him the chance to play with the team’s two best playmakers. Now, Crouse is getting that opportunity once again by being paired with Phil Kessel.
Although he has mostly been used as a bottom-six forward during his tenure with the Coyotes, Crouse’s true value comes in his ability to play up and down the lineup. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound left wing seems to be just as comfortable grinding on the fourth line as he does on the rush with the first line.