AZ Republic - Nash placed on waivers

Nash placed on waivers

Lisin, Yandle sent down to minors

Jim Gintonio
© The Arizona Republic
Oct. 3, 2006 12:00 AM

If they picked an "All-Agitator Team" in the NHL, Tyson Nash could be its captain.

Nash sticks his nose into everything on the ice, a pesky right wing who stirs things up. His size, 5 feet 11 and 191 pounds, doesn't allow him to be an enforcer, but that has never stopped him from trying to play the part.

That is why it was such a difficult decision for Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky to place Nash on waivers Monday. With an infusion of talent this season, and the fact that Nash didn't score a goal in 2005-06, tough decisions had to be made, Gretzky said.

"There are really times in the sports world where decisions are made that are more difficult than other decisions," he said. "I spent Saturday talking with Tyson and told him we understood what he's done for this organization and what's he meant for us. Nobody likes to hear that your time in a particular organization is over.

"I told him I had to go through the same scenario with Brett Hull last season. Tyson's case is a little different. He wants to keep playing. We tried to accommodate that, but to this point, it hasn't happened. I told him to take all the time he needs. We'd like to keep him in the organization. If he chose not to move, then we would somehow work something out to keep him in the organization."

If Nash is not claimed off waivers today after the NHL's 24-hour window, he would be assigned to the Coyotes' top minor league affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL.

"It's a big loss for us," left wing Ladislav Nagy said. "He brings toughness to the team. He hits hard and plays hard every shift. We'll miss him. Hopefully, he'll do well on another team."

Kicking the habit

Gretzky called the Coyotes' line changes during the preseason "horrible," and stressed the need to improve in that area.

"They were bad last year, and they're not good right now," he said. "We stay out sometimes on shifts that are too long and consequently take silly holding penalties when we do make changes. Sometimes they're nonchalant. Changes are part of the game."

Still, Gretzky said the Coyotes would be a tough test for opponents this season, adding that the club is physically and mentally stronger.

Gretzky said his players last season "played their rear ends off every day for me," but also said, "There's a new culture around here. It spreads through the team. You can see it in their eyes."

Yandle, Lisin cut

With the assignment of right wing Enver Lisin and defenseman Keith Yandle, both 20, to the Rampage, the roster is set at 22 players, with center Mike Ricci on the team's injured reserve list. Yandle's move could be considered somewhat surprising, because he drew raves from Gretzky after a solid preseason.

Injury update

If he can skate today, right wing Georges Laraque (groin) would be listed as probable for Thursday night's season opener against the New York Islanders.

Right wing Fredrik Sjostrom (left shoulder) won't play the first two games, but Gretzky hopes he will be available for Monday's game at Columbus.