Arizona Coyotes: 2019-20 season preview, predictions

DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 04: (L-R) Ilya Lyubushkin #46, Kevin Connauton #44 and Lawson Crouse #67 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrate a goal against the Dallas Stars in the second period at American Airlines Center on February 04, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

Weaknesses

Top Six Forwards

Even with Kessel, the Coyotes’ top six forward group is a bit underwhelming. According to Daily Faceoff, their top line (Christian Dvorak, Derek Stepan, and Kessel) ranks as the 30th best top line in the league. If you include Clayton Keller on the first line instead of Dvorak, that only moves them up to 28th. Their second line doesn’t rank much better, especially without Keller.

To be fair, their third line is in the top 10 and their fourth line is slightly above average. The Coyotes are in the same division as Logan Couture, Connor McDavid, Elias Pettersson, Ryan Getzlaf, and Anze Kopitar. Not to mention William Karlsson. Ultimately, their top six doesn’t quite stack up against their competition. A breakout year from Keller and Dvorak would give them a huge boost.

Top 10 Coyotes Prospects. light. Must Read

Goal Scoring

Even if you assume the Coyotes are going to have better health and you factor in Kessel’s impact, I’m not sold on their offense. It would take a strong year from Kessel (entirely possible) and a breakout year from Clayton Keller (slightly less possible but still possible) for them to see much improvement.

The Dallas Stars were able to be a postseason despite not scoring many goals. I don’t think the Coyotes are as good defensively as the Stars. Keep in mind the Stars had outstanding goaltending too. As great as the Coyotes goaltenders are, I don’t think they’re as good as Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin.

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