In Canada, the time between free agency and training camp is considered a national two month siesta: it's too hot to drink bland, generic coffee that is inexplicably mixed up in the national identity, and there is no hockey to watch or talk about.
Basically what happens is that no one has anything to do but try to rustle up some beaver pelts and remind people that Keanu Reaves is Canadian or to defend the grammatical atrocities of the Maple Leaves.
With that in mind, you can forgive a guy for letting his mind wander to the realm of fantasy.
There are two players in the NHL who are not signed and who's tenure on their current teams seems tenuous:
Ryan O'Reilly, a player who sat out a half-season with a contract dispute, signed an offer sheet that almost got him stuck on the Islanders, Sabres, or whoever was at the bottom of the league at the time (due to Calgary not knowing the rules) and who remains unsigned and the subject of constant trade rumours.
And Ryan Johansen, a potential franchise centre who the Blue Jackets seem intent on playing hardball with on a new contract.
It's easy to imagine the Coyotes being interested in either of these players since they would both instantly become the best forward on a team lacking first line players.
It's also easy to imagine that the Coyotes - with a stockpile of young defenseman, all their draft picks and Keith Yandle - could put together one of the most attractive packages for either player, should their respective teams decide to trade them.
Much like Evander Kane, who I would have included here had I not already written about him last week, Johansen and O'Reilly both seem like players who are going to be traded sooner than later. Since the Coyotes have their very own player who seems like he is bound to be moved in Keith Yandle (not to mention the most glaring need for a star forward in the league) it seems like what is clearly just idle speculation on my part could potentially become a reality.
I know some people will always laugh whenever the idea of the Coyotes acquiring a big-name player comes up, but the fact is, they have a team that appears to be only a top line forward away from contention, and the assets available to acquire one (both in cap room and trade chips). Also, with the Gagner and Ribeiro moves so far this summer, ownership has shown that they will spend more money than really anyone thought.
Because of the youth - and entry level contracts - of this team, players like Hanzel and Boedker primed for breakouts, and a whole bunch of kids seeming NHL ready (Domi, Samuelson, Murphy, Stone, Gormley) the Coyotes could spend just 2-3 million, which would be the difference between Yandle's contract and Johansen or O'Reilly's, and be a darkhorse contender in the upcoming season.
It all adds up halfway through July, and though it's likely nothing more than the delusional fantasies of yours truly, the potential for the Coyotes to pick up a player like Johansen, Kane or O'Reilly does seem high.
Thanks for reading.