The Coyotes have been rebuilding for what seems like years, and they've amassed a group of prospects and young players that should be the envy of the rest of the league.
Last year, the Coyotes were terrible. Beset by a weak roster and a bad coach, the Coyotes were a joke. They finished close to the bottom of the standings and would have finished last if not for the incredible and often unnoticed performance of goalie Mike Smith, as well as the terrible shooting luck of the Colorado Avalanche.
Tippett sandbagged the Coyotes with his insane line combos and his determination to play declining veterans over young players no matter the cost.
The Coyotes now have a new coach, Rich Tocchet, who is determined to let his young team play to their strengths - namely talent and speed.
The defense suddenly looks incredible, with Nic Hjallmarson joining OEL, Chychrun (since injured) and Goligoski to create a an upper-echelon top-four.
The Coyotes need another defenseman or two, but Connauton, Clendenning and Schenn might actually be a decent group of 4-7. What has long been a source of weakness, now looks very good for Arizona.
As for the forwards, Derek Steppan is going to give the Coyotes a consistent scoring threat and a decent #1 centre. Domi, Duclair and Perlini will continue to develop into potentially all-star wingers, and Christian Dvorak was an absolute revelation as a rookie.
Add in potential super-stars Clayton Keller and Dylan Strome, and the Coyotes are looking like a team that could seriously contend for the Playoffs. Certainly, they are on the verge of icing one of the most exciting teams in hockey, and if the Playoffs seem like a long shot, it's only because of how bad they've been previously.
The Coyotes will have above average defense, a team that projects as one of the faster teams in the NHL and they've also added a secret weapon: Antti Raanta.
In what could be the most significant add of any team in the NHL all summer, Raanta will finally get his long deserved chance to get out of Lundquivst's shadow and start in the NHL.
If he's even half as good as I am hoping, look for the Coyotes to skyrocket in the standing. The fact is, no player makes a bigger difference on a team than a goalie, and Raanta could very well become an elite goalie.
Maybe he doesn't - but for almost no risk, we get to find out.
If Rannta is good, watch out for the Coyotes.
It won't be long before we're asking if they're contenders, not just a team with a chance at the Playoffs.
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