NHL 2021-2022 Midseason Report Cards: Central Division
Arizona Coyotes: F
Not only have the Coyotes not played well this season, but they haven’t made an effort to do so either. Arizona is once again the drop-off site for unwanted contracts, while simultaneously, talent is being shipped out of town in a rebuild effort that seems to never end.
Off the ice, there are constant relocation and trade rumors, plus there was the arena payment situation a few months ago, where the Yotes were almost locked out of their arena. That is only the tip of the arena iceberg, as the franchise does not have a home yet for next season.
The poor on-ice product is expected, but the all-around state of hockey in Arizona garners the failing grade.
Chicago Blackhawks: D
The Blackhawks might be my most disappointing team in the NHL this season. I really thought that adding players like Seth Jones and Marc-Andre Fleury, while also getting captain Jonathan Toews back, would help this team return to the playoffs.
Instead, a horrific start to the season has kept Chicago down, and as the club is still nine points out of a playoff spot, they have struggled to close the gap. Only four teams in the NHL have a worse point percentage than the Blackhawks, further exemplifying just how far out of the playoffs Chicago is.
I want to remain optimistic, but that is getting harder by the game. The Hawks can hope for a stronger second half, but the first half earns low marks.
Colorado Avalanche: A+
There is not one thing going wrong in Colorado right now. The Avalanche have the best point percentage in the NHL, and they are four points clear of the next closest team in the Western Conference.
A trio of Colorado forwards are in the top-20 in the league in points, while defenseman Devon Toews owns the best plus-minus rating in the NHL. Countless other Avalanche players are having statistically outstanding seasons, but diving into each of them would require a separate article.
The penalty kill could be better, so not everything is perfect in Denver, but it’s about as close as any team has gotten so far this season.