James Tanner: Coyotes Questions Going into 2014-2015: Checking the Ol' Mailbox Looking into some potential questions for 2014-2015

"I have said it before and I'll say it again: second in the division, only behind the hated Kings."

So you think Arizona (still haven't got used to that yet) will finish ahead of Anaheim? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

"How will the Coyotes finish next season? - Philip Roth's Uncle - Arizona
I have said it before and I'll say it again: second in the division, only behind the hated Kings."


Is this a joke? As much as I hate that team down south (ducks), I highly doubt coyotes finish even 3rd... Until I see it, it's LA, ANA, SJ, and then maybe PHX.

"How will the Coyotes finish next season? - Philip Roth's Uncle - Arizona
I have said it before and I'll say it again: second in the division, only behind the hated Kings."


Is this a joke? As much as I hate that team down south (ducks), I highly doubt coyotes finish even 3rd... Until I see it, it's LA, ANA, SJ, and then maybe PHX.
- RobitailleFAN20

That isn't a joke. While I may be optimistic, outside of 3 (really good) players, I like the PHX roster better than Anaheim, and I think San Jose will decline hugely. Its the summer man, allow me some optimism!

That isn't a joke. While I may be optimistic, outside of 3 (really good) players, I like the PHX roster better than Anaheim, and I think San Jose will decline hugely. Its the summer man, allow me some optimism!
- James_Tanner

There's a difference between optimism and delusional...

As for Gagner, I agree with your post on him. I have a feeling he'll have a great year in Arizona but don't expect him to play defensive hockey at all. A great pickup nonetheless for the Yotes.

That isn't a joke. While I may be optimistic, outside of 3 (really good) players, I like the PHX roster better than Anaheim, and I think San Jose will decline hugely. Its the summer man, allow me some optimism!
- James_Tanner

Sorry, James. Gagner was a nice pick up but you guys still got a ways too go.
Anaheim got better this year IMO, so I don't think you'll finish ahead of them. Also, SJ will more than likely stay the course, no implosion here. The Kings should have a better year regular season-wise, so no luck there for Arizona either.

Dallas got better too. Don't forget Chicago, St. Louis, Colorado, Minnesota is Arizona on par with them? I think not. Be patient, it's rebuild, you'll get there sooner or later now that you guys have real owners now.

That isn't a joke. While I may be optimistic, outside of 3 (really good) players, I like the PHX roster better than Anaheim, and I think San Jose will decline hugely. Its the summer man, allow me some optimism!
- James_Tanner

Alright, calm down, I guess everyone is entitled to their opinions no matter how insane it may sound

Sorry, James. Gagner was a nice pick up but you guys still got a ways too go.
Anaheim got better this year IMO, so I don't think you'll finish ahead of them. Also, SJ will more than likely stay the course, no implosion here. The Kings should have a better year regular season-wise, so no luck there for Arizona either.

Dallas got better too. Don't forget Chicago, St. Louis, Colorado, Minnesota is Arizona on par with them? I think not. Be patient, it's rebuild, you'll get there sooner or later now that you guys have real owners now.
- Gretz2Kurri

It's real easy to look at those teams and say 'well they made the playoffs last year and got better this summer' but the thing is, you actually have to play the games. The Coyotes were very close to the playoffs last year and though their only outside add has been Gagner, the fact is, people don't account for internal growth in their projections.

Almost every player on the Coyotes is on his way up. OEL is not just getting better, he is about to become one of the top 2/3 D in hockey. The entire D is on their way up. Smith should be healthy (the only reason they missed was b/c he got injured) on Forward, I expect Boedker to explode, lots of youth and potential there too.

Sure, there's no guarantees, but there is room for optimism.

It's real easy to look at those teams and say 'well they made the playoffs last year and got better this summer' but the thing is, you actually have to play the games. The Coyotes were very close to the playoffs last year and though their only outside add has been Gagner, the fact is, people don't account for internal growth in their projections.

Almost every player on the Coyotes is on his way up. OEL is not just getting better, he is about to become one of the top 2/3 D in hockey. The entire D is on their way up. Smith should be healthy (the only reason they missed was b/c he got injured) on Forward, I expect Boedker to explode, lots of youth and potential there too.

Sure, there's no guarantees, but there is room for optimism.
- James_Tanner

So, you're saying OEL is right behind Keith and Weber (Who I think are top 2 in league)? Just what I think

That isn't a joke. While I may be optimistic, outside of 3 (really good) players, I like the PHX roster better than Anaheim, and I think San Jose will decline hugely. Its the summer man, allow me some optimism!
- James_Tanner

Only question mark with the Ducks is their goaltending, if its ready for Prime Time, cant argue their talent though, just young pups.

But they still have Getzlaf, Perry, and now Kesler. Cant see a team with such forward depth for a top 9 (Smith-Pelly, Cogliano, Thompson, Etem, Silfverberg, and now Heatley) even after Selanne retiring, they will be fighting for the division crown again.

Only question mark with the Ducks is their goaltending, if its ready for Prime Time, cant argue their talent though, just young pups.

But they still have Getzlaf, Perry, and now Kesler. Cant see a team with such forward depth for a top 9 (Smith-Pelly, Cogliano, Thompson, Etem, Silfverberg, and now Heatley) even after Selanne retiring, they will be fighting for the division crown again.
- DDM-Coga

You're list of depth forwards is neither better or worse than 99% of the teams in hockey. Its pretty average. Heatly is perhaps the worst player in the league. I like their D, but I feel PHX is better.

Will any recent draft picks make the team? -Tom Bombadil - Wythiwindil

Are you just making up words now?

I think tippet is one of the best coaches in the n.h.l, maybe second to only Dwayne Sutter right now and even that is debatable with the roster Sutter has, but I will give Sutter the edge do to His success.i am pretty positive Gagner will flourish under a system that's been in place for quite some time after have to basically rethink his play every year through his development with the oilers coaching merry -go-round

So, you're saying OEL is right behind Keith and Weber (Who I think are top 2 in league)? Just what I think
- RobitailleFAN20

I think OEL is in a group that includes Chara, Weber, Karlson, Subban, Pietrangelo and Keith. Its pretty impossible to rank them, but outside of a name or two that I'm probly forgetting, those are your best D in the NHL.

Will any recent draft picks make the team? -Tom Bombadil - Wythiwindil

Are you just making up words now?
- eichiefs9

No, just mispelling them probably. After Googling it, it turns out that Tom Bombdil lives in Withywindle. My bad.

As much as I love Henrik Samuelsson, I think he will most definitely need a season or 2 in the AHL. Dominated in juniors but needs to work on his skating a lot before he plays in the NHL. Its always been his knock and after a season in AHL, he will be good to go!!

I think OEL is in a group that includes Chara, Weber, Karlson, Subban, Pietrangelo and Keith. Its pretty impossible to rank them, but outside of a name or two that I'm probly forgetting, those are your best D in the NHL.
- James_Tanner

I definitely agree he is top 10 talent, and for the sake of this small topic, I'm throwing Doughty's name in that same group with myown bias opinion

No, just mispelling them probably. After Googling it, it turns out that Tom Bombdil lives in Withywindle. My bad.
- James_Tanner

I still don't believe that these are real things

I definitely agree he is top 10 talent, and for the sake of this small topic, I'm throwing Doughty's name in that same group with myown bias opinion
- RobitailleFAN20

For sure. See, I knew I would forget a few guys.

I still don't believe that these are real things
- eichiefs9

Well, I guess it depends on your definition of "real."

You're list of depth forwards is neither better or worse than 99% of the teams in hockey. Its pretty average. Heatly is perhaps the worst player in the league. I like their D, but I feel PHX is better.
- James_Tanner

Heatley will probably play on their 4th line. Ducks are a good team with solid depth up and down their line up, just live with it

Some mailbag questions are already starting to roll in, so next month's should feature at least 90% less made up questions.

Yandle to Florida for............

Some mailbag questions are already starting to roll in, so next month's should feature at least 90% less made up questions.
- James_Tanner

Here's one for ya.. in ten years, maybe sooner, where do you see the Coyotes and Panthers playing

the coyotes will be second allright. second last only ahead of Calgary