After goalie Marc-Andre Fleury had been selected by the Vegas Golden Knights from the Penguins in the expansion draft and Rick Tocchet became the Coyotes’ newest head coach following a stint as an assistant in Pittsburgh, Fleury texted Tocchet.
“Let’s start a rivalry,” Fleury said.
The two teams have proximity covered, not only because they’re neighbors in the southwest but also in the Pacific Division, but a back-and-forth struggle that has the competitive edge rotating sides is also a key ingredient.
That part of the equation is still a work in progress since Arizona and Vegas have met only once, but it can start to develop as soon as Tuesday when the Coyotes visit the Golden Knights for their inaugural home game at T-Mobile Arena.