Arizona Coyotes Are a Mess and the GM Knows It

Jan 15, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes head coach

(C) looks on from behind the bench during the second period against the Calgary Flames at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes are terrible this year and they are just getting worse. GM Don Maloney knows this and is preparing the fans.

Arizona Coyotes trade rumors abound and General Manager Don Maloney is doing nothing to curb those rumors. Well, actually, he is specifically saying that they are in a rebuild mode and that there will be some “long nights ahead.” However, now that the Coyotes have stable ownership due to an NHL approved majority sale to Andrew Barroway on December 31st, there is a firm foundation from which to build.

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Maloney and Barroway have a plan, though. Or, at least, 12% of a plan:

"“We struggled to survive for so long but now, having stable ownership means we have a long-term plan. That may result in some long nights ahead of us but ultimately, the goal is to get where L.A. and Anaheim and Chicago are — to become a perennial playoff team.” Coyotes GM Don Maloney on the state of the team"

So, there you have it. Their long term plan is to eventually be a title contender. That really isn’t a plan, but rather more of a goal. But they have to start somewhere and there is nothing wrong with dreaming big. I am sure Coyotes fans are thrilled. Or happy. Sad? It seems they are prepared which is a good place to be.

Arizona Coyotes Trade Rumors

The Coyotes have already made one move, trading goalie Devan Dubnyk to the Minnesota Wild. That means the Coyotes are stuck with struggling goalie Mike Smith. Or “married” as Maloney described it back in December. Well, then, what Arizona Coyotes trade rumors are out there right now?

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Oil On Whyte

The biggest one involves defenseman Keith Yandle. Yandle is 27, signed through next season, and is one of the best d-men on the power play with 17 points so far this season. Some of the teams tossed around as trade partners with Arizona are the Bruins, Red Wings, and Wild and it wouldn’t be a surprise if one of those team did land him. However, I think one team stands out as better trade partner than any of those.

The Dallas Stars need defense right now and they need help on the power play. The Stars are 27th in goals against and 25th in power play percentage and if they want to make a playoff run, they need someone like Yandle.

The Stars have both Shawn Horcoff and Erik Cole in the last year of contracts, which would allow the ‘Yotes to shed payroll at the end of the season. The Stars also have quite a few promising forwards in the AHL, a team that won the Calder Cup last season. Horcoff, a prospect, and a draft pick seems like a fair trade. Depending, of course, on the prospect and the pick. The Stars are also already shedding some payroll at the end of this season and again next season, so they could resign Yandle for the predicted $7 million he is going to get.

Have faith Coyotes fans. You can be sure you will see plenty of Arizona Coyotes trade rumors in the days to come and the team may be blown up, but now you have an ownership that is intent on improving the team. That’s more than most most subpar teams can get. So there’s that.