James Tanner: In-Depth Review of the Coyotes Defense

Win more games. We need that #2 slot in the lotto way more than you do.

Saw the title and was excited to read the name "DeAngleo" a few times.

Was not disappointed.


Also, Werenski didn't step directly into the NHL. He played a full season of NCAA hockey last year then made a playoff run with Columbus' affiliate. Get your facts straight.

Saw the title and was excited to read the name "DeAngleo" a few times.

Was not disappointed.


Also, Werenski didn't step directly into the NHL. He played a full season of NCAA hockey last year then made a playoff run with Columbus' affiliate. Get your facts straight.

Tanner 'gon Tanner.

It's especially funny because the Coyotes literally had a rookie dman step right into the NHL this year, and it was nowhere close to the impact Werenski and Provorov have had on their respective clubs.

That's not me saying Chychrun making the team was a mistake. Just kinda pointing out that dmen almost never (like, seriously, never) come right out of the draft and make an immediate impact in the NHL. The closest one I can think of is recent memory is Ekblad. He was great right away.

Hedman would count too I guess. He stepped right into a top-4 role no problem. Since then, however, he's obviously evolved into the games best defender (my opinion, anyway).

Tanner 'gon Tanner.

It's especially funny because the Coyotes literally had a rookie dman step right into the NHL this year, and it was nowhere close to the impact Werenski and Provorov have had on their respective clubs.

That's not me saying Chychrun making the team was a mistake. Just kinda pointing out that dmen almost never (like, seriously, never) come right out of the draft and make an immediate impact in the NHL. The closest one I can think of is recent memory is Ekblad. He was great right away.

Hedman would count too I guess. He stepped right into a top-4 role no problem. Since then, however, he's obviously evolved into the games best defender (my opinion, anyway).
- mochoson

Hanifin stepped right in out of the same draft as Werenski and Provorov, not sure what impact he could have made on that Canes team though. Chychrun is kind of in the same boat, not only walking right into NHL minutes but doing it on a terrible team.

Jamie "I'm wearing loafers" McBain
Kevin Connauton
Anthony DeAngelo
Jakob Chychrun
Luke Schenn
Connor Murphy
Alex Goligoski
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Team's defense units are not made or broken on the sixth Dman, so this means either major changes have to occur or major internal improvement has to happen. Possibly both.

I thought this deserved it's own comment. There is a serious lack of perspective here.

First, a team's defensive unit can definitely be "made or broken" by your bottom pairing or even 7-8 guys. You literally need 8-9 NHL ready defensemen to truly compete in todays NHL. The potential for injuries and sub-par play from one or multiple players means serious contenders need options every night. Just look at what the Caps and Habs did for example. They already had deep blue-lines before trades.

What did they do? Caps added Shattenkirk and Gilbert (as like, a 9-10 guy. see?) and the Habs grabbed Nesterov, Benn, AND Davidson (while only subtracting Pateryn).

Secondly, I believe you're analyzation of the Coyotes current group is also flawed. You already have your 5-7 guys, so your'e really looking for another top 4 guy. Basically, the Yotes need a big upgrade over Mark Stone and Jamie McBain.

OEL-Chychrun
DeAngelo-Goligoski
???-Murphy
-Schenn, Connauton

This is how I currently see the Yotes depth chart from a coaching perspective. These are the pairings I would try day 1 next season. The Coyotes need to add another Goligoski (albeit on not as lucrative a contract) top 4 caliber defensemen to balance out the pairings. If Chayka approaches the off-season with Chychrun and DeAngelo as the "bottom-pairing" on his depth chart, you guys will be in good shape. Safe bet those guys continue to grow and play way above that next season.

However, if you plan as if they DONT progress the way they did this year, you have a nice contingency plan. If I had to throw a name out there that fits the mold of who I think the Yotes should add, Michael Del Zotto comes to mind.

Saw the title and was excited to read the name "DeAngleo" a few times.

Was not disappointed.


Also, Werenski didn't step directly into the NHL. He played a full season of NCAA hockey last year then made a playoff run with Columbus' affiliate. Get your facts straight.
- fry

Yeah well lets see how you'd do with no editor while typing 100 words per minute and publishing near-first drafts. Not very well I'm guessing.

Saw the title and was excited to read the name "DeAngleo" a few times.

Was not disappointed.


Also, Werenski didn't step directly into the NHL. He played a full season of NCAA hockey last year then made a playoff run with Columbus' affiliate. Get your facts straight.
- fry

Get a life. Was Werenski actually drafted a year ago? Turns out he was. Oh well, I'm allowed to make errors. Get a life.

Yeah well lets see how you'd do with no editor while typing 100 words per minute and publishing near-first drafts. Not very well I'm guessing.
- james_tanner1

100 Words per minute? What self respecting man would admit to that, let alone lie about it?

100 Words per minute? What self respecting man would admit to that, let alone lie about it?
- Larsson_fan

A God King like Jimmy Tan Tan's let's us peasants know that he is a wizard on the keyboard.

100 Words per minute? What self respecting man would admit to that, let alone lie about it?
- Larsson_fan

Oh it's not macho to be a good typer? Sorry bro!!! Guess I should have spent more time doing keg stands, listening to Kid Rock and being a loser.

hard to believe OEL is only 25. Did I hear Keller is going to turn pro at years end?

Yeah well lets see how you'd do with no editor while typing 100 words per minute and publishing near-first drafts. Not very well I'm guessing.
- james_tanner1

I would spell DeAngelo right.

I thought this deserved it's own comment. There is a serious lack of perspective here.

First, a team's defensive unit can definitely be "made or broken" by your bottom pairing or even 7-8 guys. You literally need 8-9 NHL ready defensemen to truly compete in todays NHL. The potential for injuries and sub-par play from one or multiple players means serious contenders need options every night. Just look at what the Caps and Habs did for example. They already had deep blue-lines before trades.

What did they do? Caps added Shattenkirk and Gilbert (as like, a 9-10 guy. see?) and the Habs grabbed Nesterov, Benn, AND Davidson (while only subtracting Pateryn).

Secondly, I believe you're analyzation of the Coyotes current group is also flawed. You already have your 5-7 guys, so your'e really looking for another top 4 guy. Basically, the Yotes need a big upgrade over Mark Stone and Jamie McBain.

OEL-Chychrun
DeAngelo-Goligoski
???-Murphy
-Schenn, Connauton

This is how I currently see the Yotes depth chart from a coaching perspective. These are the pairings I would try day 1 next season. The Coyotes need to add another Goligoski (albeit on not as lucrative a contract) top 4 caliber defensemen to balance out the pairings. If Chayka approaches the off-season with Chychrun and DeAngelo as the "bottom-pairing" on his depth chart, you guys will be in good shape. Safe bet those guys continue to grow and play way above that next season.

However, if you plan as if they DONT progress the way they did this year, you have a nice contingency plan. If I had to throw a name out there that fits the mold of who I think the Yotes should add, Michael Del Zotto comes to mind.
- mochoson

The Coyotes have 3 good left side guys.

OEL, Goligoski and Chychrun.

They have 1 OK r-side guy in DeAngelo.

So what they need is two right side players. They already have good depth in Connauton or McBain who will do in a pinch if they have to play.

I would spell DeAngelo right.
- fry

Yeah but everything else you'd say would be ridiculous, so who cares?

Oh it's not macho to be a good typer? Sorry bro!!! Guess I should have spent more time doing keg stands, listening to Kid Rock and being a loser.
- james_tanner1

So salty for a Saturday Jimmy... Try a Snickers big boy!

Get a life. Was Werenski actually drafted a year ago? Turns out he was. Oh well, I'm allowed to make errors. Get a life.
- james_tanner1

I'll get a life if you get your facts straight.

You forgot to tie the leafs into this.

Yeah but everything else you'd say would be ridiculous, so who cares?
- james_tanner1

The irony of this post is rich.

Yeah but everything else you'd say would be ridiculous, so who cares?
- james_tanner1

Haven't read much psychology have you...
You sound like one of these guys

Yeah but everything else you'd say would be ridiculous, so who cares?
- james_tanner1

Oh it's not macho to be a good typer? Sorry bro!!! Guess I should have spent more time doing keg stands, listening to Kid Rock and being a loser.
- james_tanner1

This statement would have much more impact if you owned it instead of renting it.

Yeah well lets see how you'd do with no editor while typing 100 words per minute and publishing near-first drafts. Not very well I'm guessing.
- james_tanner1

Why publish a near-first draft? Appears risky and prone to error.

I know you were watching 5 games at once the other night when Jake made his top pairing debut but what did you think of his stats when you looked the next morning?

Why publish a near-first draft? Appears risky and prone to error.
- blackhawk24

Well you get closer to the truth that way.