Are the Arizona Coyotes ready to be contenders?
By Brett Innis
The Arizona Coyotes’ recent stretch has many around the hockey world wondering if the cornerstones are in place to start competing
Say what you will about the reeling Calgary Flames, but on Monday night, the Arizona Coyotes may have turned the corner. It’s been a long corner for hockey fans in the desert, but Monday night’s 5-2 win signified a change in direction of a struggling franchise.
The Yotes were going up against former franchise goaltender Mike Smith who has quite a few franchise records. The ovation from the fans was nice. But the Coyotes took care of a business against a team that’s superior in the standings and on paper.
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Arizona has been the butt-end of jokes around the hockey world. Could this finally be the signs of a team showing some teeth? The Coyotes are 6-3-1 in their last ten games and are no longer the odds-on-favorite to land prized Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.
This team is still a ways away from competing for a Stanley Cup let alone a playoff spot. Rookie Head Coach Rick Tocchet has the team playing better and better as we close out the season. Say what you will about the Derek Stepan trade, the team needed some vets in that locker room and the former New York Rangers center has done a solid job in his first season. As is tradition, he’s on pace for 50 points.
Arizona has played six goalies this season. Despite his injuries, Antti Raanta has shown flashes of brilliance in over the half the season played. General Manager John Chayka should do everything in his power to re-sign the 28-year old to a long-term contract.
As for the kids, Clayton Keller was in the running for rookie of the year before Mathew Barzal went on a crazy tear. Max Domi and Brendan Perlini are looking to take the next step and Christian Dvorak along with Christian Fischer are doing well, given their assignments.
As for the defense, Oliver Ekman-Larsson‘s contract is the sole concern. With a projected cap space of over $28 million come July 1, GM John Chayka and his staff could shake things up in the offseason.
Next: Coyotes 2018 Offseason Outlook
OEL has a $5.5 million cap hit heading into the final year of his deal. With other defensemen like Erik Karlsson and Drew Doughty set to hit the open market, OEL and the Coyotes might have some more attention on them than they have in years past.