Since Miss Cleo was only able to come through on 2 of her 10 summer predictions, I avoided going out back of my neighborhood Dominoes and did not consult her for this blog. I figure that 20% accuracy is just not a good enough ratio of right to wrong, even for a former nineties infomercial shill.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/James-Tanner/Ten-Predictions-for-the-Rest-of-the-Summer/200/61575
What I did instead was use my Mom's Ouija board to forecast the upcoming season. She warned me about using the 'dark arts' for my own personal gain, but considering the thing was made in Taiwan and sold at Walmart....... either way, I don't think it worked. Although I did feel an evil presence, I am 90% sure it was just my cat, Pete.
I did get some predictions, but most likely they aren't anymore accurate than Miss Cleo's.
#1. Michael Stone will become a household name
If you have ever read this column before, the chances are that you know that I am a huge fan of the Coyotes young defenseman - Stone, Murphy, Gormley, OEL and even Summers. While it remains to be seen what Murphy will be and if Gormley can get a spot in the lineup, last season saw Stone play 70 games.
In those 70 games, Stone, who was barely getting top 4 minutes for most of the season, and who played behind two premier offensive defenseman, racked up 21 points, including 8 goals.
Now, 21 points, so what? Well, since there are less than one 40 point defenseman per team, on average, 21 points as the third offensive option on your team is great. Plus, his eight goals matched Yandles in about 12 games less, 6 minutes per game less, and way, way less powerplay time.
Stone has a ROCKET for a shot and there is no reason that, once the Coyotes move Yandle, he can't score 20 goals.
Beyond his shot, he also blocked over a 100 shots and threw 150 hits. He's an all-round solid defenseman who may yet be a star in the NHL.
Did I mention that he's 6'3, 210 and only 24?
#2. Yandle will be moved for a forward
OK, I admit it - this horse has been flogged beyond the realm of good taste. It's just - well - look at the lineup. To not be the worst scoring team in the NHL this season, the Coyotes will need career years from Boedker, Hanzal, Gagner and at least one of Domi or Samuelson to step in and immediately make an impact.
Individually, I like each of those players chances to do just that, but collectively, to happen all at once? Well, that would be akin to Ken Griffey developing botulism on the same day Roger Clemons thinks he is a chicken. So, I think it's pretty obvious the Coyotes need to add a forward, and with the likes of Evander Kane and Ryan Johansen rumored to be somewhat disgruntled by their current teams, a Yandle for a forward move seems obvious.
Then there's the fact that (see above) Michael Stone seems poised for bigger things and Brandon Gormley needs to have a lineup spot made available.
#3. Mike Smith Will Return to Form
Goalies are unpredictable. Don't burn your top picks this pool season on a goalie, because Jonathan Quick and James Reimer; Tukka Rask and the third string goalie for the Predators farm team; the all have about an equal shot at the Vezina - you can never tell year-to-year who is gonna get hot for the regular season.
Craig Anderson? Josh Harding? Eight Chickens taped together? I don't know.
What I do know is that Mike Smith is an extremely competitive guy and he doesn't want to be known as a one year wonder. He seems to care very much about living up to his contract and since the Coyotes won't score much, since they have Dave Tippet and his defensive genius reputation as their coach, he's as good a bet as any to come through with a strong season.
I like the 'Yotes to make the playoffs this year, and the main reason is, I think Mike Smith is gonna have a strong season. Look for him in the All-Star game, but then don't watch it, 'cause All-Star games are super lame.
#4. Sam Gagner will have a career year
Maybe this one's just wishful thinking (he said without a trace of irony) but I think Gagner's got a lot to prove and the perfect situation to do it.
Acquired for the one-time-only, insanely low price of a sixth round pick the Coyote's bargain basement pickup is poised to have a great season.
One year removed from a smashed up jaw that saw his status as "sexiest breakout candidate" turn into "washed up loser" at the whims of the collective NHL fan conscience, Gagner remains a talented player with youth on his side.
I have had people tell me it's laughable to think he'd even get 50 points, so I'll predict right now that he will break the 70 point mark for the first time in his career.
#5. OEL Ascends
Already starting to get a little notice, OEL deserves more, and he's about to get it, despite playing in the desert where grudging acceptance seems to be the equivalent of winning a major NHL award. To see what I mean, NHL.com recently released an aggregate ranking of the top 14 defenseman in the NHL, using four guys who you've heard of, to rank, seemingly at random, the league's best d-men.
If you've never seen him play except when the Coyotes play your favorite team, then, sure, OK, I guess ranking him 12th in the NHL is acceptable, especially if you only consider offense. Having constantly watched him play, I can't figure out what's so good about Doughty or Pietrangelo that OEL can't do - except play for LA or St. Louis, but I digress.
Look for OEL to take the next step towards becoming relevant to the rest of the NHL this season. As he enters his age 23 season and his fifth overall, expect big thing from the Coyotes best player. He scored 44 points last season, and you can expect more this year, especially if Yandle is moved and he becomes the QB on the power-play.
Regardless of that happening, it's not just the offensive side of the puck where OEL excels. While the likes of Subban and Karlsson will no doubt get the most attention, and even the most points, OEL will continue to dominate them on the defensive side of things.
Will 2015 be the year he finally wins the Norris Trophy as the league's best defensman? You'd have to ask Miss Cleo that, but I do think it will be the year that he becomes unquestioningly a top 5-10 NHL defenseman, in the consensus of fans and reporters is what I mean, because in reality, he already is.
Thanks for reading.