Top 50 Coyotes of All-Time
Derek Stepan is one of the NHL's most underrated players.
While it's nice to have him on the Coyotes, had he spent the last three seasons (he is 29, so these are his prime years) on a contending team in a better role, he'd be viewed in a much better light.
Scoring 40 to 50 points per year is good accomplishment, and even though it seems like middling numbers, when you add in the overall defensive game of Stepan, he's a very good second line centre.
On the Coyotes he's often their #1 centre, or at least their #1 defensive centre.
In the NHL being a "defensive" team means that you rely on your goalie while instructing your players to fall back and allow the other team to constantly have the puck.
It's a terrible strategy that is the complete opposite of ideal hockey game theory, and it's employed so frequently that you have to figure almost any random person could effectively coach most NHL teams.
The Coyotes play this way, and what it does is suppress Stepan's numbers.
His numbers are good relative to his team, and relative to the style of play he's often asked to perform. If he was on a team that actually tried to move and possess the puck, I have no doubt Stepan could earn his (unfortunately high) salary.
The Coyotes made a great trade to bring in Stepan (it also brought in Raanta) and it is probably one of the most lopsided trades in the recent NHL. The Coyotes got two of the best players in their franchise history in exchange for a complete idiot and a draft pick the Rangers blew (on a guy who once threw his medal into the stands, which, I suppose makes that two idiots).
If noted dirtbag Brandon Leipsic is now out of the NHL, one can only hope that the equally odious Tony DeAngelo can soon follow. Either way, he isn't missed in Arizona.
Stepan, meanwhile, is among the best Coyotes of all time. Somehow, he's 27th all-time in franchise scoring.
50: Limitless 49: Oh Brother Where Art Though? 48: Role Models 47: the Rock 46: Mission Impossible Franchise 45: Nicholas Cage Man Tetrology 44:Heat 43: The Art of Self Defense 42:Walk Hard 41: The Winter Soldier 40:Taken 39: The 6th Day 38: Groundhog Day 37. The Batman Trilogy - Christopher Nolan 36: Jackie Brown 35: Gremlins 34: Who Framed Roger Rabbit 33: Speed 32: Adventure Land 31: Eyes Wide Shut 30: Semi Pro 29. Endgame/Ragnorak Trilogy 28. Baby Driver
#27: Next
Released in 2007, and often referred to as the 'a piece of garbage' the film Next, staring Nicolas Cage, is one of the most undderrated films ever to be released.
One of about 30 movies based on a Philip K Dick short story, Next is an absolute blast from start to finish.
The only thing that could have made it better was a hard R rating, but why quibble with near perfection?
Next was critically panned, and was a box office flop. But it's one of the best movies ever made by one of the greatest actors to ever live.
If you like science fiction, psychic abilities and absolute first class acting, this is the film for you.
But then again, if you hate movies where you might actually have fun, and learn something (about how to use your psychic powers) this might not be the film for you.