James Tanner: The Coyotes Are Better Than You Think

Playoffs???

The Sabres might arguably have the most potential of any teams blue line.

Right now the Coyotes are better but in 2 years id like to revisit that

how confident are you with this Tanner?

I say, if you are so sure, place a friendly bet on it.

If they miss the playoffs, you write a series of blogs as to why this team needs to move, and locations where this team which would fit much better.

how confident are you with this Tanner?

I say, if you are so sure, place a friendly bet on it.

If they miss the playoffs, you write a series of blogs as to why this team needs to move, and locations where this team which would fit much better.
- IRON.MAIDEN

I would never do that. Those terms are asinine.

I laid out my reasons already. Just tell me why I'm wrong.

lol wow this is a delusional post.

The Sabres might arguably have the most potential of any teams blue line.

Right now the Coyotes are better but in 2 years id like to revisit that
- sbroads24

I don't see a single sabres prospect on D who even has the chance - let alone the probability - of being as good as OEL.

Obviously, the Sabres are amassing a good stockpile of young players, but the Coyotes guys are all NHL ready and it appears that they could dress a top 6 this year that includes 3 top pairing guys and 3 second pairing guys.

I don't think the Coyotes match up against anyone on just potential, I think they have the best 1-6 D in hockey. Defense is so important in the NHL that only a horrible year of goaltending can stop them from making the playoffs.

lol wow this is a delusional post.
- jake24242

You got anything to back that up? As I said, I'm happy to argue points, but if you're just going to post one sentence calling me an idiot, then why even bother?

I would never do that. Those terms are asinine.

I laid out my reasons already. Just tell me why I'm wrong.
- James_Tanner

Playoffs???

- Feds91Stammer

It's a good thing I have the music so loud (Murmer; REM) that I don't know what that guy is saying. Also, I don't watch football so I have no idea who that is. I'm guessing you're being sarcastic in someway and that if that guy was worth listening too, he'd be the coach in a real league, like the NHL.

I would never do that. Those terms are asinine.

I laid out my reasons already. Just tell me why I'm wrong.
- James_Tanner

You're wrong.

- Feds91Stammer

- Feds91Stammer

The West being so good is just an overdone cliche. Yeah, ST. Louis, Chicago and LA are 3 of the 5 best teams in hockey, but after that?

I don't think teams like NYR, Philly, Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, Washington and Columbus are any worse than SJ, Anaheim, Colorado, Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas etc.


Anaheim, San Jose and Colorado will all finish behind the Coyotes.

Actually boedker is pretty solidly built at 211 lbs

Does boedker play RW or LW mostly?

It's a good thing I have the music so loud (Murmer; REM) that I don't know what that guy is saying. Also, I don't watch football so I have no idea who that is. I'm guessing you're being sarcastic in someway and that if that guy was worth listening too, he'd be the coach in a real league, like the NHL.
- James_Tanner

You're wrong.
- VANTEL

Yeah but due to the laws of science, etiquette and proper debate, if that's all you got, then by virtue of me having laid out my reasons in a coherent and reasonable fashion I am right by default.

Again, note the title. "Coyotes are Better Than You Think."

Your comment only confirms my hypotheses.

You got anything to back that up? As I said, I'm happy to argue points, but if you're just going to post one sentence calling me an idiot, then why even bother?
- James_Tanner

Playoff aren't out of the question for the Coyotes or for any team for the matter, that's just foolish. Top-3 if not the best defensive depth in the league; I don't have to name them, I'm sure you know them well. However, offensively they have one of the worst crop of players. I'm looking at the offense and there isn't anything special in there, except for maybe Gagner and Boedker. In time, with the addition of Samuelsson and Domi, this team will be decent; however, at the moment they have no real threat up front. This team lacks firepower, it isn't a mystery.

Yeah but due to the laws of science, etiquette and proper debate, if that's all you got, then by virtue of me having laid out my reasons in a coherent and reasonable fashion I am right by default.

Again, note the title. "Coyotes are Better Than You Think."

Your comment only confirms my hypotheses.
- James_Tanner

No it doesn't

Playoff aren't out of the question for the Coyotes or for any team for the matter, that's just foolish. Top-3 if not the best defensive depth in the league; I don't have to name them, I'm sure you know them well. However, offensively they have one of the worst crop of players. I'm looking at the offense and there isn't anything special in there, except for maybe Gagner and Boedker. In time, with the addition of Samuelsson and Domi, this team will be decent; however, at the moment they have no real threat up front. This team lacks firepower, it isn't a mystery.
- TheCalSen

Lol what?

Lol what?
- Feds91Stammer

Kyle Quincey.

Playoff aren't out of the question for the Coyotes or for any team for the matter, that's just foolish. Top-3 if not the best defensive depth in the league; I don't have to name them, I'm sure you know them well. However, offensively they have one of the worst crop of players. I'm looking at the offense and there isn't anything special in there, except for maybe Gagner and Boedker. In time, with the addition of Samuelsson and Domi, this team will be decent; however, at the moment they have no real threat up front. This team lacks firepower, it isn't a mystery.
- TheCalSen

True, and I agree. However, like I said, though they won't be Crosby numbers, if you take a look at any team's stats for the year they had no real first line players, someone usually always ends up putting up first line numbers. Grabovski, Kulemin, MacArthur from a few years ago spring immediately to mind as an example of what I'm talking about here.

Ultimately, I think having one of the best D's in hockey trumps the negatives of the forward situation. While, they lack top line guys, I think 3-12 their pretty solid and deep.

We'll see how it goes, I mean, these are just my opinions, it's all subjective. Thatnks for actually laying down an argument.

The West being so good is just an overdone cliche. Yeah, ST. Louis, Chicago and LA are 3 of the 5 best teams in hockey, but after that?

I don't think teams like NYR, Philly, Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, Washington and Columbus are any worse than SJ, Anaheim, Colorado, Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas etc.


Anaheim, San Jose and Colorado will all finish behind the Coyotes.
- James_Tanner

Anaheim was a "two player team" last year that won the division. I'm not saying they are going to repeat that point total but unless they have a massive spate of injuries, I like their chances to get into the post season again.

Lol what?
- Feds91Stammer

Seriously, find me 3 teams in the NHL with better 1 through 6 depth than the Coyotes on D. Then let's see if they have Summers and Schlemko at 7/8, or anyone as good as Yandle on their second pairing.

I don't claim to know every team in hockey as intimately as I know PHX, I mean, I do have another job and can't spend all my time on hockey, but I am reasonably knowledgeable about the other 29 teams and I don't think it can be done. Maybe one or two, but not three.

James Tanner: The Coyotes Are Better Than You Think
- James_Tanner

I think people really actually undervalue the defensive group that Phoenix can bring to the table. OEL is top ten in the NHL, while Yandle is one of the elite puck movers in the game. Depth, toughness, youth, and a superstar. It's all there. The defence will help, what on paper, is a pretty below average forward group, to be almost average.

I won't quibble with Hanzel, whose awesome when healthy. Nor will I debate the value of Boedker or your third and fourth line depth, however, Hanzel and Boedker only represent 1/3 of a decent forward grouping. Gagner was given PLENTY of offensive opportunity and ice time in Edmonton and hasn't proven, in my mind, as much as Boedker and Hanzel have. Okay, so he's your second line centre. I don't think he's a good second line centre at this point. Perhaps he takes a step this year and that gives you 3 top six forwards, two of whom are somewhat on the fragile side (Hanzel and Gagner). Who are your other top six forwards? If your saying Samuelsson and Domi then I think your just putting WAY to much hope in 5 forwards taking big steps all at once. Just don't see it.

However, I do trust that as a group they will play solid D and that Tippit will find a way to put them all in good positions to have success. The D and goaltending will be good enough to ensure they are competitive. Playoffs? Maybe. Sure fire thing? No way. Like you said they are right in the Dallas, Minny, Nashville, Col, SJ grouping. With maybe Minny/Sj pushing out a little ahead and Vancouver climbing just behind.

Kyle Quincey.
- TheCalSen

What about him?