SUNRISE, Fla. — An Aleksander Barkov shift is often where opposing scoring chances go to die down in South Florida.
The Florida Panthers’ captain is the complete package as a two-way anchor down the middle. Equipped with a sharp hockey IQ, active stick, and a 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame, the 2021 Selke Award winner is a matchup nightmare for most rival skaters.
Of course, Charlie Coyle isn’t built like most skaters.
The Weymouth product’s game may not be cut from the same cloth as a bruising power forward like Tom Wilson or Josh Anderson.
But Coyle — clocking in at 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds — doesn’t need to impact games by way of bone-crunching checks.