Despite their best efforts (trading for Grossmann, re-signing Vermette and Michalek, entering the season with one quality NHL centre, singing John Scott and giving a regular shift to Klas Dahlbeck) the Arizona Coyotes attempt to turn the catch phrase "sorry, not sorry" into "tanking, not tanking" has completely blown up in their face.
To wit: their record is 16-15-3 and they are two points out of second in the Pacific and one point out of third.
While my intense displeasure at the way the offseason was conducted was based mostly on the idea that tanking was a terrible idea in a system that gives you only a one in five chance at the top pick, it seems now the Coyotes actually have a chance to correct course and make this season worth watching. Since they are still very much in it, why not make some moves that would allow them to stay in it?
Because, if we're honest, some things are beyond arguing:
The Coyotes have the worst roster in the NHL. It isn't even really close. It is an actual distinct possibility that the Coyotes are dressing the three literal worst defenseman in the NHL.
Nick Grossmann: 43.45% CF, on the ice for 31 more scoring chances against than for, and a ridiculous -66 shot differential.
Klas Dahlbeck: 44.68% CF, on the ice for 41 more scoring chances against than for, and a -37 shot differential.
Zbynek Michalek 44.48% CF, on the ice for 44 more scoring chances against than for, and a -36 shot differential.
That is half the defense and those are scary-bad numbers. If you adjust to just look at defensemen who play a regular shift and have done so all year, they are three of the worst defensemen in the NHL.
The rest of the roster has one NHL centre and he's always injured, as well as three goalies consisting of a guy who'd be out of the league except for his contract, a rookie and a career back up.
Therefore, it's quite obvious that with a roster this bad, the Coyotes record is a function of exceptional luck.
However, the Coyotes do have one of the best prospect systems in the NHL, but will be hard pressed to keep everyone they have without converting them to other assets because of their similar ages and the fact that they are all forwards.
So, we know this much and no one could disagree:
1) Worst roster in NHL. 2) Still could make Playoffs. 3) Only if reinforcements are added because luck won't last 50 more games. 4) Need to convert some of their young forward assets to older players, defensemen and goalies. 5) Making playoffs is more beneficial long-term than tanking the season, since players earn valuable experience, team is stacked in young assets already and odds of #1 pick are worse than picking a player who doesn't work out.
Therefore, it makes sense to try and fix this current roster.
They need a goalie and should trade for Jonathan Bernier. They need defense, but I'm not really too sure what they should do to fix that.
They also need a centre, because their current crop of centres is terrible. They have Strome coming, but Ryan Johansen would be an excellent addition, and they have the pieces to make that happen if they wanted to.
New York's first round pick next year, Christian Dvorak (leading the OHL in scoring) and Mikkel Boedker would be a significant package that just might be enough to get the deal done.
The Coyotes with Johansen, Strome, Merkley, MacInnis, Domi, Duclair and whoever they draft next year would still be an amazing foundation on which to build a team, but if they made a move for Johansen, they would give themselves a shot to hold on the position they're currently in.
It seems to me to be the perfect solution, but they still need to do something about that defense.
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Last night they made a spirited comeback against the Kings due to some fortunate powerplays, and earned a point. Usually the Kings destroy the Coyotes, but this was actually a pretty even game and the Coyotes should be happy with their play.
For once, they might have actually deserved the second point.
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Tonight it's back-to-back against the Avalanche. But guess who is injured again? Your boy Hanzal! Hey, they somehow got a point without him last night, but can they do it again without their most important player?
Thanks for reading