The Coyotes are - on paper at least - the most improved team in the NHL. With Raanta, Hjallmarsson, Strome, Keller and Stepan added to last years roster, the Coyotes are guaranteed to be significantly better than they were last year.
How much better and whether or not they can make the Playoffs is yet to be seen. To make the Playoffs, they probably need to have great years from everyone of the aforementioned players - and even then, who knows?
The team still has quite a few weak players on the roster and there are no sure things beyond the fact that they will no longer be the NHL's worst team.
One way the Coyotes can really improve is to trade next years first rounder. And the way to get maximum value for it is to trade it now, before anyone has any inkling how good this team could be.
People tend to be unimaginative and they don't believe things are possible until they see them happen. There is a good chance the Coyotes can get other teams to value their first rounder for next season as a sure-fire lottery pick, and then go out and make the Playoffs.
There is always a chance that this move blows up in your face, but the transition year draft pick trade is one way in which a team could theoretically make a big value move.
If the Coyotes were to package next years first with Lawson Crouse - someone who isn't very good but who is young enough and has the pedigree that another team would probably overrate him - to upgrade their defense, it'd almost be like getting something for free.
If the Coyotes can upgrade their defense - especially in the wake of the Jacob Chychrun injury, it would go a long way towards getting the team into the playoffs for the first time since Eisenhower was President.
If the team can add Raanta, Stepan and M.C Hammer in one offseason, I see no reason why they should stop there. One, maybe two more quality players to compliment the rookies and herald the breakout year of Maximus Domi (it's coming) will put this team into the realm of contenders.
Its going to be fun to see what they do in the next six weeks leading up to the season.
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