Three Ways To Improve

The Phoenix Coyotes have a lot of work to do to become a Stanley Cup contender. No one in the hockey world is knocking the young talent in the organization, but this team will need more than youth to get to the playoffs next season. With a new owner set to be in place for next season, it is time for management to surround the youth with a few talented veterans. The youth has developed nicely in the last two seasons, and the Coyotes have added some players ready to have career seasons. All this stacked with a talented, and experienced goaltender will always make the Coyotes an exciting team. But times are tough in the desert for hockey and exciting may not cut it anymore. This organization and sport needs a winner in the Arizona area. Let’s be honest, the fans need to see a winner! Well with some limited moves, and money to spend this team will be looking very strong come September camp.
It appears that the Coyotes have built the depth down the middle in Lombardi, Turris and Hanzal. I personally would like to see Turris move to the wing like Mueller did, but I can live with them sticking with the same lineup. The one key thing missing out of the top 6 forwards is a pure goal scorer. The Coyotes are not prone to spending the big bucks on a top free agent, but I think Mr. Gaborik is a unique case. Gaborik has always been a tremendous talent, but has struggled with staying healthy at times. It seems to be almost certain that Gaborik will be leaving Minnesota this summer, and what better place to go than warm Phoenix. He is coming off a season that he missed the first half of the season and then some. It could be a chance for the Coyotes to give him a nice one or two year deal with incentives to regain his reliable star status. Now Gaborik will still not come cheap but the Coyotes have the room to spend some money, and drop 7 to 7.5 for Gaborik. Gaborik would compliment the young centers, and take the focus off some players who are waiting for a break out season, not to mention a pure finisher to pass the puck.
The next two moves will be on the defensive front. The first is something that has been brought up in the media recently. Signing back veteran leader Derek Morris will be a huge bolt to this defense in the off season. We all know what Morris brings out their on the ice, and more importantly what he brings to the Coyotes. The team could use him back with Jovo on the top pairing, and provide some much needed depth. Now Morris will command close to 5 million, which again the Coyotes should be able to spare. With a potential Morris signing, the top two pairings will be intact. Now it seems that Yandle has done enough this year to take up the full time spot on the third pairing, but his partner is needed. If the Coyotes can fall to a top two pick, drafting Hedman would be the smart choice. Hedman is ready to play in the NHL and provide some size and offensive skill. He would be a welcome addition to any team’s third pairing. Paired with Yandle, Hedman can have a chance to play an offensive role and a stay at home role because Yandle also likes to jump into the play. Obviously there is no guarantee that the Coyotes will get the 2nd pick in the draft, so I think it would be fine to re-sign Ken Klee to help further bring along Yandle on that third pairing. Having Klee will provide depth and veteran leadership all while having Hale to spare any defenseman when needed.
The Coyotes are closer than everyone thinks to a playoff birth and these 3 small moves would allow them the depth to make a strong run past the first round. Of course even after these 3 moves, the team still has some weaknesses and over flow of players. But the main basis for the off season should focus on these holes first then move on to the other depth moves.

Chemistry Much?

Could it be Don Maloney has found his top line center and winger? Lombardi and Upshall have impressed since joining the Coyotes in early March at the trade deadline. Upshall has been knocked up and down the lines playing with different center men, but has been playing very well. Lombardi has been helping out a great deal in the face off circle, but has taken some time to get going on the score sheet. Lombardi and Doan seemed to be the best fit since they played together in the past, but the chemistry of Lombardi and Upshall has been obvious from the very first game they were put on the same line. On Long Island against the Islanders, Upshall and Lombardi contributed the first goal of the game. Ever since that day, the chemistry has been obvious in practice and game days. I have not seen a Coyotes line click as well as they have against the Stars all year. These are two players with phenomenal speed, and a ton of potential. The analysts put it best, the Coyotes picked up players at the deadline who are coming into their prime. It seems that this is complimenting the youngsters very well. I give the veterans like Shane Doan some credit of late because its not easy losing ice time for experiments. Even with the lesser roles, Doan should surpass his career highs in goals. It seems like you can pencil in Lombardi and Upshall next year on the top two lines, and Doan will find his place up their obviously. Things are looking better for this core, and I will have my free agent predictions tomorrow.

Crowded Party

The Coyotes right now have 16 healthy forwards and 7 healthy defenseman on the roster. This team has had a few years to build up some nice young players, and trade for quality players. It appears that after the trade deadline, Don Maloney set the team up in a good cap situation with many players fighting for spots. The Coyotes, having a potential high draft pick, will have to decide this summer who is ready for the NHL and who is not. Right now the players looking to earn playing time and contracts next year are Lindstrom, Lisin, Winnik, Reinprecht, Prust, and Hale. All of these players seem to be in a rotation from here on out for the season.
Enver Lisin is a player that is too good for the AHL and needs a full season in the NHL to find out what he can do. Lisin has tremendous speed, and NHL hands. Lisin is a player that can create some scoring opportunities, and has a knack of scoring around the net. He is better off playing with a big forward who can create some space for Lisin. Lisin possesses a good sense around the net, but has not shown off a overly powerful shot at this point. Enver has had brief success in some of the stints with the Coyotes this year. It was surprising to see that Lisin did not open the season in the NHL, and when he got his first call he really thrived. Mentally, Lisin needs to know he is playing a full season and will have a chance to stick with the big club through the rough patches. Lindstrom had some early success with the Coyotes, but did not show that much after the first few weeks. It was a big mistake putting Lindstrom on the point for the power play; he just does not possess the power play skills. I see Lindstrom has a nice fourth liner with skill. It was a nice story trading for Lindstrom and seeing some success, but it is time they move forward and give the better prospects a chance. Lindstrom could be a nice addition in a package trade.
Steven Reinprecht is obviously playing for a contract next season, whether with the Coyotes or some other NHL team. Reinprecht has been a tremendous locker room presence and been the Coyotes best center at times this season. I think at this point Reinprecht just does not fit in with this team’s direction. He is a highly skilled center, that shows signs of greatness, but just is not the explosive center that the Coyotes need right now. The system has plenty of centers that have potential and will not cost much. Right now the best thing Reinprecht can do for himself is to be the great locker room veteran, and give NHL teams just another reason to bring him on their roster. Brandon Prust is a nice depth player for the Coyotes. The toughness that Prust brings to this team will be very valuable this season and next season. Prust will have every opportunity to step up and become the enforcer that the Coyotes need after trading Daniel Carcillo to Philadelphia. Prust needs to work on his defensive zone play, and breakout passing for him to really get on Gretzky’s good side.
Every team needs a solid third or fourth line player that can contribute in many aspects of the game. Daniel Winnik is a player that brings speed, intensity, toughness, and great penalty killing ability. No one is calling this player a star sniper, but he is the type of player every championship team needs to win in long playoff series. Winnik had a rough start to the season, spending time with San Antonio. Winnik has gotten an opportunity to play the majority of the last few months, and he is really running with it. Gretzky always changes the line combinations, and Winnik provides him a player that can play from the fourth line to the first line, while playing wing or center. He needs to polish his game down the stretch, and stay consistent. The combination of these two will provide him a roster spot next season. David Hale has made some big mistakes this season with turnovers, but has been able to stick up for his teammates and pitch in with some goals. I think Hale has a lot to work on for next season, but he is a tremendous 7th defenseman. Time will tell if he can slip in as a 6th defenseman, but nothing would surprise me.

Edmonton Game In Progress

Been a real solid game so far for the Coyotes. The one huge thing I can see from this game is the line combinations. Some guys are starting to play with some jump in their game and meshing well with their linemates. Lombardi is looking more and more comfortable in a Coyotes uniform. Mueller is having some tough luck this year, Roloson just robbed him on a hard pass from Upshall. Speaking of Upshall, he is such a shot of energy to every line he is on. Sauer is wearing the "A" with very good reason. I will have a few blogs coming this weekend finishing up the young players finishing up strong, free agency talk, and the Coyotes direction from here on out.

It's Mueller Time

This season has been a series of ups and downs for the talented forward, Peter Mueller. Besides a few injuries for Mueller, he has really struggled on the ice. Coming off a very impressive rookie year, Mueller is in the famed sophomore slump with only 12 goals. Throughout the season Mueller has shown signs of breaking out, but nothing consistent. This year will be a good learning lesson for Peter, but time will tell whether he actually learned anything.
At this point in the year, Mueller needs to settle down and find his comfort zone. Playing him on a top line, possibly back with Doan more consistently will give him the space he needs right now. Mueller needs to use his strong shot more and not think “pass first” all the time. Many times this year, Mueller would give up a shot to make the perfect pass. Like the rest of the Coyotes this season, one too many passes were made in offensive zone failures. Another confidence booster, and need for Mueller, is to man the point on the power play. This will allow Mueller to gain more confidence in that shot by forcing him to take shots at the point. Mueller is the type of player that can dominate one stat for a season. Last year I thought that Mueller would turn into a nice assist winger, the likes of Ales Hemsky. After the struggles this season, Mueller’s shot has been impressive despite the problems of hitting the net.
With a nice vote of confidence by coach Gretzky, Mueller should get a very good opportunity to finish the season strong. The real key is putting Mueller back with Doan, and letting him get to a comfort zone with Doan for the remainder of the season. Doan will take some of the focus off of Mueller, while making some room from his size. That is step one, then the confidence will lead to some nice power play points. I love the Turris, Mueller, Doan line but we all know that Gretzky does not like to keep lines together for long.

Predictions?

I figured it's almost time for the big dance in April, so what better than to make some predictions. We have some very good races in both Conferences, and some power houses at the top. I'll quickly list a few of my predictions, and put down your predictions!

Eastern Conference Champions - New Jersey Devils
Western Conference Champions - San Jose Sharks

Eastern Conference Odd Team Out/In - New York Rangers/Florida Panthers
Western Conference Odd Team Out/In - St. Louis Blues/Edmonton Oilers

Unexpected Eastern Conference Playoff Run - Carolina Hurricanes
Unexpected Western Conference Playoff Run - Columbus Blue Jackets

Lottery Winner - New York Islanders

He's Back! Game In Progress Coyotes 3 Sharks 1

What a game so far! As much as I hate to say it, where has this been? Your ruining that wonderful draft pick! Nevertheless this has been a great game for the Coyotes against a very tough, but struggling team. Shane Doan said after their last practice that things will be better, well so far so good Shane. This could get Turris and the power play going. These teams are playing like they do not like each other very much. With all this talk about the young players, a guy like Brian McGrattan is showing some real guts. Brian has gone through a lot this year in his personal life. He has made it all the way back to the NHL, and he certainly held his own with heavy weight Jody Shelley. I for one, hope to see him take on the enforcer role for the future. Enjoy the rest of the game!