Coyotes' Chipchura has made most of second opportunity

Usually it takes time for a transformation like this to unfold, flipping a waiver-wire demotion into a top-line role.

But if that progression fits anywhere, it would probably be in this unconventional season for the Coyotes. And they're thrilled that center Kyle Chipchura is the beneficiary.

"He's probably the guy the most that the guys just cheer for," captain Shane Doan said. "So for him to get the opportunity he's had, it's so well-deserved. It's so overdue. It's exciting, and I'm happy for him."

Chipchura has been a regular since 2011-12 and since his versatility and work ethic have always been praised (and he's in the midst of a three-year contract), it was somewhat surprising to see him placed on waivers in December.

"He doesn't look at it as a personal thing," coach Dave Tippett said. "He looks at it as a team thing, and he plays like that. He acts like that. That's why he's so well-liked in that locker room."

At that time, the Coyotes were still trying to jolt their roster into playoff form and they wanted the roster flexibility to make changes as needed. And even though he was scratched multiple times in the early part of the season, Chipchura's attitude didn't let on to whatever personal frustration he might have felt.

"At the end of the day, you're in the NHL," said Chipchura, who scored the team's lone goal on the power play in Monday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Predators. "You have the privilege of being in the NHL. You can step back and realize life could be a lot worse. You just bear down and fight through and try to make it back in there."

After Chipchura cleared waivers, the Coyotes opted to keep him on their roster and he hasn't missed a game since Dec. 11. What's more, the overhaul executed at the trade deadline increased his responsibility: He's currently centering the No. 1 line next to Martin Erat and Doan and is doing so while wearing an "A."

Chipchura and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson were named alternate captains after the duty was vacated by Antoine Vermette and Keith Yandle when they were traded.

"All the characteristics that you want in a leader and all the characteristics that you want in a teammate, he showed in spades," Doan said. "I think that's a huge testament to him."

Picture day

The Coyotes took their annual team picture Wednesday, and the team that huddled on the ice for the photo shoot certainly wasn't the same one that started the season.

But taking a group shot has long been a late-season tradition.

"As far as I can remember, it's always been that way," Tippett said. "Some teams take one early in the year and then take one late in the year. Usually, you wait until after the trade deadline because teams can add players. They can subtract players. That's just the way it's been."

Absent from the photo was center Martin Hanzal, who's still on the mend after undergoing surgery on his back last month.

"He's doing all right," Tippett said. "Still laying low. I think he was told to lay low for a month here, so he's not doing much of anything right now. Then after a month you'll see him around a little more. But he's just taking it easy and recuperating well."

Injury update

Winger Lauri Korpikoski, who sat out Monday's game with an upper-body injury, practiced Wednesday and is probable to play against the Blackhawks.

Should the Coyotes add Korpikoski back into the mix, forward Brendan Shinnimin would return to the American Hockey League as he was recalled on an emergency basis.

Tonight's game

Blackhawks at Coyotes

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Gila River Arena.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Arizona/KMVP-FM (98.7).

Blackhawks update: The Blackhawks have grabbed at least a point in each of their last three games but are coming off a 1-0 overtime loss to the Rangers on Sunday. Goalie Corey Crawford has been a steady anchor for the Blackhawks during that stretch. In his last four starts, Crawford has stopped 128 shots and averaged only one goal-against per game. On the road, Crawford is 14-6-1 with a .931 save percentage, 1.94 goals-against average and two shutouts. The Blackhawks have blanked on their past 15 power-play chances. Former Coyote Antoine Vermette is pointless in three games since joining the Blackhawks via trade.