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Coyotes Questions Heading into the Season |
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With the NHL season right around the corner, it's time to look into some of the more interesting questions we have about the Coyotes as they gear up for the 2014-15 season.
Can Mike Smith Return to Form?
When the Coyotes signed Mike Smith to a six year $34 million dollar contract with a cap hit of $5.66 last season, many people wondered if this was a good move. Smith was coming off of an average season during the lockout and really only had great season to his name - 2011 when he went 38-18 with a .930 save % and a 2.21 GAA.
In year one of the deal Smith was average at best. His stats do not rank him in the top ten of an major goaltending category and he went down with an injury during the most important part of the schedule. One year isn't going to make or break the deal, but if the Coyotes want to make the playoffs this year, then Smith is going to be the key factor.
Smith doesn't need to be 2011 Smith - that's a Vezina worthy campaign and can't be counted on - he just needs to be better than average. If he can steal a few games here and there, the Coyotes, who possess some of the best young players the NHL has to offer, should be able to make a run at the postseason.
Will Yandle be back?
As Eklund would be no doubt the first to tell you, trade rumours at this time of year are few and far between. I have heard nothing about Yandle since before the draft, but that doesn't mean he's a lock to resume his duties in the desert.
While Yandle and OEL make arguably the best powerplay combo in hockey and it would hurt to break it up, the Coyotes have to at least be thinking about this move. You have a team so stacked with youthful defenseman that an NHL ready Brandon Gormley is likely to start the season in the AHL for no reason beyond the fact that really is nowhere to play him. And this same team has only "potential" first line forwards.
The argument for trading Yandle is that he is the kind of puck moving defenseman all teams crave, but with Stone and his rocket shot ready to take over on the powerplay and both Connor Murphy and Gormley possessing decent offensive ability, the Coyotes are in the rare position of having a glaring need and an almost superfluous star player.
Can Hanzal and Boedker finally break out?
Both Hanzal and Boedker are former first round pickers who have yet to live up to their draft position and who both seem forever on the verge of breaking out. Boedker is one of the fastest players in the NHL and Hanzal is one of the only players ever to play the game who is 6'6 and possesses the kind of skill set that he has.
Still, whether it's confidence or injuries that have held them back so far, there has never been a better opportunity for either player than this season.
The Coyotes can either skate Vermette and Doan as their top line and try to squeeze the last drops out of a couple of aging vets, or they can use those two in a more realistic 3rd line role and see what their young guys can do with increased opportunities.
A third option would be Gagner, but it's not even clear yet if he projects as a winger or centre. Ideally, both Gagner and Hanzal would break out and give the Coyotes a nice combo of size and skill down the middle, but realistically........who knows.
You can't give up on Hanzal until he absolutely bottoms out, because his size and skill just oozes possibilities – it’s just been 7 years, and you hate to say it's now or never....
Anyways, just a few things to think about as training camp approaches.
Thanks for reading.
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