Follow @james_tanner123 Never had to update a blog immediately before, but as I was writing this, Eklund posted about how Yandle and O'Reilly might be traded for each other.
Now, I have made my peace with trading Yandle, but I don't like this rumour one bit. O'Reilly is going to command a contract over $6 million per year and I really think he's more of a second line centre than first line one. I think he's a good player, maybe a great one, but he's not the Yandle of centres, that's for sure.
If the Coyotes have to sign a guy for $6 million plus, why not at least see if you can get Yandle to sign a 5 year $40 million deal? He's going to get his $8 mill no matter what, and who knows, maybe he wants to stay here.
If the Coyotes trade Yandle for Reilly, I will not be happy. In my opinion, they should be looking at getting a younger player with a higher ceiling.
---- In the fourth of a six game home-stand, the Coyotes will take on the Senators tonight in a battle of teams with 16 wins.
The Coyotes will be looking to avoid following a concerning pattern of losing 6-0 after they win a game, something that has happened after their last two wins.
On Thursday they took down the Jets in a game that featured highlight reel goals from OEL and Boedker and hopefully they can keep the fun going tonight against an Eastern Conference team that they are probably better than. (The difference in their records is only that the Senators have lost four extra game in extra time).
I would assume after playing one of his best games of the season so far that Mike Smith will get the start tonight. For me, this game represents a chance to watch perhaps my favorite NHL player (from an opposing team) in Erik Karlsson.
While Karlsson hasn't been as dominant as he was before his achilles injury, he is still, for my money anyways, the best defenseman in the NHL. While many people will question his ability in his own end, the fact is, he is rarely ever in his own end.
If Karlsson's team was anywhere close to his level, I have no doubt he'd be a leading candidate for the Norris Trophy. Regardless of your opinion in the offensive vs defensive defenseman debate, hardly anyone would argue that there is a more exciting player to watch in the entire NHL. (or so I assume).
A matchup of Karlsson vs Ekman-Larsson is probably a bigger deal in Sweden than Phoenix, but nationalities aside, who can resist seeing two of the best young defensemen in hockey go head to head? Despite featuring two teams that are virtually eliminated from playoff contention, this should be a game that is worth watching.
One problem facing the Coyotes in this one will be that the Senators are 0 for their last 29 powerplays, even though they are able to ice a first PP unit featuring Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris and Erik Karslsson. To say they are due would be an understatement and the Coyotes should look to avoid taking any penalties.
I don't like to offer "keys to the game," but this one is pretty obvious.
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As to the NHL's recently revealed All-Star jerseys, they are taking a lot of heat on the old internet, but I can't for the life of me figure out why.
First of all, who cares? The All-star game is a joke.
Secondly, who cares? They aren't that bad. And seriously, would nicer ones make you care any more about the lamest allstar game in sports? I didn't think so.
Finally, I just don't get why people are so negative. At least they're interesting and not boring or typical........which, wait, I remember now: anything that isn't boring, generic, passive, and offensively dull is not acceptable in the 2010's and the only acceptable response to anything is to s__ all over it.
Sorry, I forgot.
As you were. .
Thanks for reading.