Zbynek Michalek eager to contribute in return to Arizona Coyotes

Zbynek Michalek’s transition back to life in the Valley didn’t require boxes, moving vans or a new address.

When the veteran defenseman was traded from the Coyotes to the Blues hours before the NHL’s trade deadline hit on March 2, his wife and two children remained in Arizona and the family kept its home intact once the offseason started.

“I was always hoping there would be a chance that I would be back with the Coyotes,” Michalek said. “So I didn’t want to move out of the house or do anything before July, and that was a great decision not to do anything.”

Michalek re-upped with the Coyotes for two more years at $6.4 million – his third stint with the organization – on the first day of free agency this past summer.

The Coyotes are poised to benefit from the 32-year-old’s leadership qualities, but Michalek is also eager to showcase his ability to be an impact player on a blue line attempting to discover a steadier personality.

“I want to be good for the team on the ice,” he said. “I’m still going to play well, and I believe that I can still play well and I’ll do my best to be the best player I can be and still help the team.”

Michalek’s commitment and will to win are staples of his style, but his health has sometimes prevented him from maximizing his potential. Actually, he was sidelined with a concussion leading up to the trade deadline last season, but that didn’t scare off the Blues from wanting to add the stability and grit Michalek offers.

The Blues were eliminated in the first round by the Wild, but the experience was still special to Michalek.

“For me it meant so much,” he said. “It kind of was a payback for all the hard work I did that such a top team wanted me and felt like I could help them in the playoff round. So it felt great.”

The extra games with the Blues don’t seem to have taxed Michalek. After putting on about six to seven pounds of muscle during the offseason, Michalek’s conditioning has impressed so far in camp.

“He’s in phenomenal shape,” coach Dave Tippett said. “He looks in great shape. He’s skating as well as I’ve ever seen him. He’s had the hip injuries in the past, and those look – knock on wood – long gone. He looks big and strong and ready to play.”

Michalek believes he can still improve and get faster on his skates, but not having to deal with those nagging hip injuries enabled him to have a normal summer routine that's given him an already strong base. And with a hectic 82-game schedule on tap, that preparation will be vital.

“That’s my main goal for the season, to stay healthy,” Michalek explained. “If I stay healthy, I can play good hockey and be a good player for this team.”

Blocking shots at the rate he does – Michalek has blocked the most shots in the entire NHL since he debuted in 2003-04 with 1,589 – doesn’t always keep him off the injured list, but Michalek’s determination is one of his trademarks.

That’s what the Coyotes expect and also what they need.

“I feel so comfortable just coming back, seeing so many familiar faces and having the same coaching staff and knowing what they want from us and from me,” Michalek said. “It’s just a good feeling.”

Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.