As the summer drags on I thought I’d take the time to take a look at the other teams that make up the Pacific Division, what they did and where I think they could end up when its all said and done. This time I will look at what most expect to be the “dog” of the Pacific Division, The Arizona Coyotes. All information here is accurate as of 7/16/15.
Who’s in:
F John Scott (UFA)
F Antoine Vermette (UFA)
D Zbynek Michalek (UFA)
F Steve Downie (UFA)
F Brad Richardson (UFA)
F Boyd Gordon (Trade)
D Nicklas Grossmann (Trade)
D Chris Pronger (Trade), Just the cap hit, Pronger’s career is over.
Who’s out:
F Mark Arcobello (UFA)
D John Moore (UFA)
F Lauri Korpikoski (Trade)
F Sam Gagner (Trade)
Ian’s Quick Breakdown:
The Coyotes are a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, the only thing I can tell you for sure is that they are probably going to be terrible. The coyotes situation is made worse by yet another round of off ice legal distractions that will only compound the issues in Glendale further as the team fights with the city in court to keep the lease in place. So while the off ice issues have big questions the on ice questions are just as difficult to answer. This is a team which has a very full cupboard of prospects but do they bring them up and give the fans something to cheer about or do they fill the line up with mostly fringe NHLers to try and get the best odds of the Austin Mathews sweepstakes? Under normal circumstances I think the answer to this question is an easy one, you keep the kids far away from this mess and don’t give the kids anything they have not earned learning from the last half decade of Oilers hockey. That being said you want to be able to get people into the seats so do you give the fans a glimpse at whats in the pipe line with players like this years 1st round pick (3rd overall) Dylan Strome, 2013 1st round pick Max Domi and newly acquired and highly rated prospect 3rd round pick Anthony Duclair which is just the tip on the iceberg of the potential talent the Coyotes will have at their disposal in a few years.
The saddest part is that by the time this team is in a good place with talent the fans who have stood behind them won’t see the benefit because the team has been moved. The Coyotes will have to find some more goal scoring as two of their top 4 scorers have moved on to greener pastures in Yandle and Gagner, which should put a lot of pressure on captain Shane Doan and returning rental Vermette. The Coyotes are also going to bank on a healthy breakout season from Mikkel Boedker who they avoided arbitration with as well. On the blue line the Coyotes will really have to sort things out on both sides of the puck as Oliver Ekman-Larsson can’t be counted on to provide all the offence from the blue line as well as being better on the defensive side. In goal Mike Smith will be coming off his worst year of his career as a pro and should rebound back to form somewhat although the team in front of him will be lack lustre. One also has to wonder regardless of where this team plays next year is it the last we will see Dave Tippet behind the bench.
Projected Lines:
I have no idea what they coyotes will so but I’m going to inject some youth into the line up for kicks because I want there to be something to cheer about in Arizona this year.
Boedker – Hanzal – Doan
Duclair – Domi – Rieder
Downie – Strome – Richardson
Lessio – Gordon – Scott
Ekman Larsson – Stone
Gromley – Michalek
Grossman – Murphy
Smith
Lindback
Circle Your 2015-16 Calendar:
Sharks @ Coyotes Thursday Jan 21st. 2016
Coyotes @ Sharks Saturday Feb 13th. 2016
Sharks @ Coyotes Thursady Mar 17th. 2016
Coyotes @ Sharks Sunday Mar 20th. 2016
Coyotes @ Sharks Saturday Apr 9th. 2016
Projected Pacific Division Standings:
1) Anaheim Ducks
2) ??????????
3) San Jose Sharks
4) ??????????
5) ??????????
6) ??????????
7) Arizona Coyotes
Don’t forget to check out the Teal Tinted Glasses Podcast!
