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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 3067071" data-attributes="member: 2012">Great One wants grit from CoyotesAssociated Press9/15/2006 6:51:22 PMGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - As a player, Wayne Gretzky used uncommon skills to become the most prolific scorer in NHL history.But as the coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, Gretzky wants to see grit as well as grace. He expects his players to skate. He also wants them to hit.That was Gretzky's message as the Coyotes opened their 10th season in the desert Friday with a full-squad workout in Glendale Arena."There were nights (last season) when I felt like maybe we got physically outmatched, and not because guys weren't trying to be as physical as possible, but we were not quite as strong as some of the other teams," Gretzky said. "There were liberties taken at times that I wasn't very pleased with. We went out and addressed that. We're much stronger and a much more physical hockey team."Looking to add a physical presence, the club acquired five veterans over the summer, led by three-time all-star defenceman Ed Jovanovski. The Coyotes also added forward Georges Laraque, one of the NHL's most feared enforcers, forward Owen Nolan and defenceman Nick Boynton, as well as Jeremy Roenick, a nine-time all-star centre whose recklessness made him a fan favourite during his first tenure with the Coyotes."I think that has to be the mentality that becomes our identity, that there's no game that we're going to get outworked or out-hit," Roenick said.The Coyotes hope the new approach will put them back in the playoffs after a four-year absence. They finished 12th in the Western Conference last season, 14 points out of a playoff spot.Gretzky had his first look at his fortified roster Friday morning. Outside, the temperature approached 38 C. But it felt like mid-winter as the Coyotes went through drills to prepare for their exhibition opener against Edmonton at Winnipeg Sunday night. It's the first time the Coyotes have played in Winnipeg, their former home, since they departed after the 1995-96 season.On Friday, Gretzky put Roenick on a line with captain Shane Doan and Mike Comrie. Doan and Comrie shared the team lead with 30 goals apiece last season. Roenick scored only nine goals in 58 games with Los Angeles last season but is vowing to jump-start his career."I think we all bring something a little different," Roenick said. "It's a nice creation."Gretzky said he has not decided on his other lines or his defensive pairings.Roenick, who lives in Paradise Valley, helped lead the Coyotes to four consecutive playoff berths from 1997-00. He signed a one-year deal that could be worth US$1.5 million with incentives.Gretzky said he believes Roenick can score 25 goals this season."The key is to stay healthy," Gretzky said. "If we can keep him healthy and he can play 80 games, I expect good things out of him."Health was a problem for the Coyotes last season. A knee injury sidelined winger Ladislav Nagy, perhaps their most gifted player, for the season's final 29 games. He still finished the season as the team's assist leader, with 41.The Coyotes had a brief injury scare Friday when a deflected puck hit Jovanovski above his left eye. He sported a red welt after practice but said he didn't expect to miss any ice time."It's always scary when you get hit in the face," Jovanovski said.Jovanovski said his vision was not affected - literally or figuratively."We have to see the big picture and the prize that we're after, and that's the Stanley Cup," Jovanovski said. "That's got to be our vision."</blockquote>

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