NHL Preview: Phoenix Coyotes

Past over-achievement and the absence of Ilya Bryzgalov could make this a down year in Phoenix. Charlie Boccanegra reports.

The Phoenix Coyotes have overachieved and shocked most hockey fans over the past couple of years by making the playoffs in consecutive years with limited talent. Dave Tippet has done a phenomenal job getting the most out of his players but the danger is this comes to an end this year and Phoenix takes a huge step backwards. The oddsmakers feel the same way listing the Coyotes as one of the biggest long shots to win the Stanley Cup at NHL betting odds of 40/1.

The #1 reason the Coyotes were competitive and made the playoffs in past years was due to outstanding goaltending from Ilya Bryzgalov. This offseason he signed a huge contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Coyotes have not done enough to replace him, as career back up Mike Smith is a huge step down in talent and class.

The biggest weakness for the Coyotes has been their inability to score goals. For the most part it has been masked over the past couple of seasons because of how good Bryzgalov was and the overall good defensive team system coach Tippet has implemented.

The Coyotes can’t count on goaltending to save them now. Phoenix must score goals, something that may be beyond their offensive personnel. Last year not one player scored more than 70 points and I don’t see who will this year. Shane Doan, Ray Whitney, Daymond Langkow and Taylor Pyatt are all past their prime with limited upside.

Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata havee offensive upside, but are mediocre defense players and don’t have much of a physical side to their game. If youngsters Mikkel Boedker andle Turris live up to their offensive ability and become mainstays in the top six forwards good things might happen, but it’s a big ask.

Despite losing Ed Jovanovski on the back end Phoenix will still be one of the better defensive teams in the NHL. They are lead by up and coming stud Keith Yandle, who was nominated for the Vezina last season. The rest of the D has four quality veterans in Adrian Aucoin, Derrick Morris and newly acquired Michal Rozsival. All are capable of providing some offense from the back end while being relied upon to shut down opposing teams top forwards.

As much as I expect the Coyotes to take a step backwards this year their season point total remains relatively low at 87.5. They will still play a good team game in a structured environment under Tippet. I don’t see this team being a full 12 points worse then last season. We can still cash this OVER ticket and have the Coyotes miss the playoffs.