James Tanner: Could Coyotes Make Playoffs? Yup!

Not sure if serious?

Not sure if serious?
- LeftCoaster

Why did you eliminate all the nouns from this "sentence."

And of course I'm serious. You'd have to have been paying no attention to avoid noticing that the Coyotes are a seriously improved team.

Why did you eliminate all the nouns from this "sentence."

And of course I'm serious. You'd have to have been paying no attention to avoid noticing that the Coyotes are a seriously improved team.
- James_Tanner

I was in a hurry. I agree, love the moves they've made on and off the ice, however, I'm not sure they're in a position to turn it around that quickly. Perhaps the year after when some of the kids have NHL game experience, then I'd say you're on the mark.

just looked at the new and improved lineup. answer is still no. looks like picking in top 5 draft again

Coyotes will finish anywhere from 26th-30th. This team is bad with a capital B. Derek Stepan is not bringing playoff hockey to Arizona.

Defense is improved, It remains to be seen if "team" defense is improved. I think Toccet (more so than Rannta) finally gets his chance. We will see if he can get the Yote's young blood to commit to team defense. If not It will be another long season in the desert.

The defense suddenly looks incredible, with Nic Hjallmarson joining OEL, Chychrun (since injured) and Goligoski to create a an upper-echelon top-four.

Connauton, Clendenning and Schenn might actually be a decent group of 4-7.

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

Not even counting where you refer to Raanta as a secret weapon, you blow more smoke than a chimney.

Nashville, Min and Ana have upper echelon top 4s. Az has a bottom 10 D core. They have but one star D man and possibly the worst bottom 6 in the league.
Az does have an enviable core of youth but can we really count them all as potentially all-star? Isn't every 6th round draft pick a potential all star like Datsyuk was? You throw around the word potential with dazzle but the word unproven is just as sure with these young guys.
Az is not going to attract any fans league wide. Toronto, Edmonton are some of the most exciting teams in hockey. Az doesn't even make the radar.

James Tanner: Could Coyotes Make Playoffs?
Yup!
- James_Tanner

You let the kids play, even if they don't win a lot more they are certainly a lot more fun to watch.

I was in a hurry. I agree, love the moves they've made on and off the ice, however, I'm not sure they're in a position to turn it around that quickly. Perhaps the year after when some of the kids have NHL game experience, then I'd say you're on the mark.
- LeftCoaster

You are most likely right. I do appreciate the precariousness of their position, and the relative strength of the West, but it's not impossible is all I'm saying.

Defense looked incredible ? Well that's a bit much. Upper echelon top 4? That's ur opinion

Flyers are not envious of the coyotes prospects

Based on this write will it be a disappointment or failure if they don't Win a cup at some point in the next 5 years

Coyotes will finish anywhere from 26th-30th. This team is bad with a capital B. Derek Stepan is not bringing playoff hockey to Arizona.
- teamvanek

I understand this perspective. It's hard to imagine teams making big jumps when they're doing it with guys who've never played in the NHL and guys who only have one or two years of experience.

But: Raanta could be a huge difference maker. Domi is about to break out. OEL is among the best D. They have some depth, and a lot of guys who have potential, including two of the best players in the world currently not in the NHL.

I think a bottom five finish is out of the question.

They'll be a much improved team, but will the be better than Edmonton, San Jose Anaheim or Calgary?

On paper probably not, so they'll have to compete for the final wild card spot ahead of one of the lower teams in opposing division.

They'll be a fun team to watch, but I think they miss out as they experience growing pains, and while the D good, I think you have exaggerated the improvements.

Defense looked incredible ? Well that's a bit much. Upper echelon top 4? That's ur opinion

Flyers are not envious of the coyotes prospects

Based on this write will it be a disappointment or failure if they don't Win a cup at some point in the next 5 years
- rinaldo

If they were at least a Cup Contender in that time frame, yeah it'd be a huge disappointment.

How many teams have a better top four than OEL (top 3 NHL dman) Hjallmarson (perhaps best defensive defenseman in NHL) Chychrun (perhaps second best 19 year old D in world) and Goligoski (still probably among the best second pairing guys in the league).

That's a legit top four, don't care what anyone says.

They'll be a much improved team, but will the be better than Edmonton, San Jose Anaheim or Calgary?

On paper probably not, so they'll have to compete for the final wild card spot ahead of one of the lower teams in opposing division.

They'll be a fun team to watch, but I think they miss out as they experience growing pains, and while the D good, I think you have exaggerated the improvements.
- david22

I could see them beating out San Jose and Anaheim, as well as St.Louis and the Blackhawks, all of whom I see taking a step back.

I think Oilers will win the Conference with the Flames right behind them.

I could see them beating out San Jose and Anaheim, as well as St.Louis and the Blackhawks, all of whom I see taking a step back.

I think Oilers will win the Conference with the Flames right behind them.
- james_tanner1

Have you seen the Dark Tower yet?

I hear very bad things so I haven't gone to see it.

If they were at least a Cup Contender in that time frame, yeah it'd be a huge disappointment.

How many teams have a better top four than OEL (top 3 NHL dman) Hjallmarson (perhaps best defensive defenseman in NHL) Chychrun (perhaps second best 19 year old D in world) and Goligoski (still probably among the best second pairing guys in the league).

That's a legit top four, don't care what anyone says.
- james_tanner1

Nashville for sure
That can't even be debated!

If they were at least a Cup Contender in that time frame, yeah it'd be a huge disappointment.

How many teams have a better top four than OEL (top 3 NHL dman) Hjallmarson (perhaps best defensive defenseman in NHL) Chychrun (perhaps second best 19 year old D in world) and Goligoski (still probably among the best second pairing guys in the league).

That's a legit top four, don't care what anyone says.
- james_tanner1

U ripped goligoski last year ..never once talked about the former hawk my how it changes when on the team u support.

The Yotes are a much better team than they were a year ago. But the conference is top heavy right now.

Minnesota, Chicago, Nashville and St Louis are playoff locks. And Dallas is poised to jump up into the mix.

Anaheim, Edmonton and Calgary are also locks in my opinion.

So Az has to pass San Jose, LA, Winnipeg and one of the teams I mentioned above.

I just don't see it happening this year. But, San Jose is due for a decline, and LA is already heading down the slope to a retool situation.

I think the Yotes and Jets are the teams poised to make a run in the next couple of years, but barring a total meltdown in San Jose plus a team like Chicago or Dallas having an injury riddled collapse, I just don't see it.

I could see EDM, Cal and AZ as the Pacific Division top 3 for a few years, probably starting next season.

The Yotes are a much better team than they were a year ago. But the conference is top heavy right now.

Minnesota, Chicago, Nashville and St Louis are playoff locks. And Dallas is poised to jump up into the mix.

Anaheim, Edmonton and Calgary are also locks in my opinion.

So Az has to pass San Jose, LA, Winnipeg and one of the teams I mentioned above.

I just don't see it happening this year. But, San Jose is due for a decline, and LA I'd already heading down the slope to a retool situation.

I think the Yotes and Jets are the teams poised to make a run in the next couple of years, but barring a total meltdown in San Jose plus a team like Chicago or Dallas having an injury riddled collapse, I just don't see it.

I could see EDM, Cal and AZ as the Pacific Division top 3 for a few years, probably starting next season.
- Vanoxy

It's ridiculous to say there are "seven locks" the only Lock to make the Playoffs in the West right now is Edmonton. Any other team could easily miss the Playoffs, especially Chicago and St.Louis.

The odds are against it, but never say never.

It's ridiculous to say there are "seven locks" the only Lock to make the Playoffs in the West right now is Edmonton. Any other team could easily miss the Playoffs, especially Chicago and St.Louis.
- james_tanner1

Ok. That was my opinion, but clearly, you have this locked down.

Sorry for being the first person in history to say something ridiculous in a James Tanner blog thread. Given your reputation as the voice of reason in this site, I'll simply submit to your will.

😉
You're the best J.T. don't ever quit.

Yes. Better odds than Vancouver.