Potential Man Crush

Daniel Carcillo for Scottie Upshall and a Second Round Draft Pick:

Carcillo really leaves everything he’s got on the ice and that is why it’s tough to see the positive in a trade that means Carcillo is leaving. The bottom line is that Carcillo could not control his temper on the ice and caused distractions. The skill and intensity that Carcillo brings to the ice is the reason the Coyotes could get a pretty good player and a pick for him. I wish Carcillo the best in Philadelphia, he will be a great fit to their style.

Out of all the moves today, this one player has the most potential to do something special in the desert. Upshall brings a lot of speed, physicality and skill to the Coyotes lineup. Scottie will fit Gretzky’s system very well and will contribute on special teams. The speed and vision that Upshall has will create many odd man rushes. He has a knack to go to the net and chip in some dirty goals in big spots. Upshall is approaching a turning point in his career, being traded for the second time. He has an opportunity to really take this team and self to the next level. With Upshall becoming a restricted free agent after this season, he will quickly have an opportunity to earn some more money. If he commits to the system and community there is no telling where his Coyote legacy will lead. Upshall would work well on a line with Mueller. Upshall could really find his scoring touch collaborating with a playmaker like Mueller. The thought of Mueller and Upshall using their speed in the offensive zone will bring a smile to the aging face of The Great One.

Bottom Line: Losing a character player like Carcillo will hurt right now, but Upshall’s up tempo play will earn the trust of Coyotes fans very quickly. This is a player to build around for the present and future teams. I think this could be the man that would replace Doan as the face of the organization in due time. My bold prediction is that Upshall will be a Coyote for life and have his jersey in the rafters one day.