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2011-12 NHL Season Preview: Phoenix Coyotes

Sep 16

Posted by EB in Season Previews | No Comments

Key Offseason Additions: Daymond Langkow, Raffi Torres, Mike Smith

Key Offseason Losses: Eric Belanger, Lee Stempniak, Vernon Fiddler, Ed Jovanovski, Ilya Bryzgalov

Last Season Ranking: 6th in West

What do you mean Ilya Bryzgalov is gone? We're screwed!

Offense: The Phoenix Coyotes were in the middle of the pack last year as a team for offensive statistics. Averaging 2.76 goals per game, it is going to be interesting to see if the team can better last years numbers with the amount of changes to the lineup.

The Coyotes are still lead by the great work ethic of Shane Doan. Doan is a player you would love on your team but hate to play against. Averaging 64 points over his last five seasons, it seems likely he will meet that number again this year.

Doan will be supported by an assortment of players, most notably Martin Hanzel, Ray Whitney, Radim Vrbata, Taylor Pyatt and new addition Daymond Langkow. Hanzel is coming into his 5th season and has been looking to break into the 40 point threshold. Whitney brings the veteran presence as well as great playmaking capabilities. Vrbata has jumped to a few teams but it seems Phoenix is the place for him. Vrbata has averaged 49 points in the three seasons with the Coyotes. Pyatt brings good depth to the team, not exceling, but manages to stay positive in +/- over his years.

The final piece of the puzzle comes from Daymond Langkow who previously played for the Calgary Flames. He has been suffering from a neck injury, but if healthy, can add another 40+ points to the team. The positive for Coyote fans is that his production is a good combination of assists and goals.

Defense: When you look at Phoenix’s defensive pairings you cannot help but notice the team has depth. Sure they lost gritty Ed Jovanovski, but that can be easily overlooked by giving more ice time to sophomore Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Ekman-Larsson only played 48 games last season, needing time to develop with the San Antonio Rampage. Expected to play a full season this year without any unforeseen hardships, Ekman-Larsson could develop into a very good defenseman.

Most of the weight of the defense will be carried by Keith Yandle. Yandle had a breakout season posting 11 goals and 48 assists for 59 points. Include a plus 12 rating and 103 blocked shots, Yandle does what it takes for the team to win.

Goaltending: The biggest change for the team comes in the net. Ilya Bryzgalov has gone to the Philadelphia Flyers to be replaced by Mike Smith from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Smith did not play much last season for the Lightning as Dwayne Roloson stole the show. It is expected the time out of the number one spotlight, as well as replacing Bryzgalov’s shoes, will make Smith hungry to be the best goalie and the right choice for the Coyotes.

If, however, Smith falters, backup Jason LaBarbera will be there to assist. While playing for the Los Angeles Kings, LaBarbera was expected to be a great goalie. The hype far outweighed the production, and he will forever be just a backup.

HWB Playoff Prediction: Not Playoff bound. With the loss of Ilya Bryzgalov and no real added stars, the Phoenix Coyotes will not make the playoffs. Poor performance will increase the low attendance, expect rumors to be spreading all year about a potential city change.

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Phoenix Coyotes Tops the Pacific Division

Nov 24

Posted by EB in News, Soap Box | 1 Comment

As if you thought I would not touch on this topic?

The Phoenix Coyotes are now the new leader in the Pacific Division. With a record of 11-5-5 for 27 points, the team seems to have settled in. Things did not come easy though for the Coyotes as in the month of October they were a sad 3-4-3, 9 points out of a possible 20. Some were worried, even myself, that maybe the team was a fluke last year.

This is not the case as the team is currently on a tear with a 7-1-2 record in their last 10 games played. Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov is starting to regain form; 6 wins in a row. New addition Ray Whitney leads the team with 15 points, Wojtek Wolski is getting his scoring hands back and forwards Radim Vrbata and Lee Stempniak each have 13 points a piece and a +6/+5 rating.

The team is playing well and still has some room to grow. Youndg defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is still finding his way, forward Scottie Upshall has not been up to his normal scoring ways, and even captain Shane Doan has yet to lead the team as a captain should.

The Phoenix Coyotes are back on track and look to keep up their impressive streak of wins. The Pacific division is tough with the likes of the Los Angeles Kings and the slumping San Jose Sharks, but expect the Coyotes to contest for the top spot throughout the whole year. Come playoffs, the only thing these desert dogs have to worry about is not matching up against the Detroit Red Wings.

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From Phoenix with Love

Oct 7

Posted by EB in News, Soap Box | 8 Comments

Miss Cleo has phoned in, Sidney Crosby and the Penguins have more losses in their near future.

Miss Cleo has phoned in, Sidney Crosby and the Penguins have more losses in their near future.

Despite the impression given form the announcers that Sid the Kid is as good as 2 guys combined, the defending Stanley Cup Champions suffered their first loss.

I am well aware that the season is long, that the Phoenix Coyote’s will not make the playoffs, but nonetheless, a 0-3 loss is still being shut down.

Ed Jovanovski started the scoring for Coyote’s in the 1st period as he netted a power play goal assisted by Captain Shane Doan and Adrian Aucoin. Mid way through the 2nd, another power play goal was scored as Petr Prucha put the puck pass goaltender Brent Johnson’s glove. Prucha, might I add, was on his side when he scored. Radim Vrbata and Robert Lang with the assists. The last goal came in the ending minute of the 3rd as Radim Vrbata picked up his second point, putting home an empty netter that was assisted by Martin Hanzel.

The Phoenix Coyote’s are off to a good start as they are now 2-0. Tomorrow they face the Buffalo Sabres and have the ability to continue their win streak. Returning forward Radim Vrbata now has 3 goals and 1 assist in these two games, as he currently leads the Coyote’s in goals and points. (It is early, but someone did write about his return being a positive to the Coyote’s roster)

Nothing to fear for the Pittsburgh Penguin fans as it is still early, and only one loss. However, the next four games will not be easy for the Pens. They begin their road trip against the undefeated Philadelphia Flyers (Someone wrote about them too), then to Toronto against the Maple Leafs, followed by a trip to Ottawa against the Senators, and finally ending their travels with the Carolina Hurricanes.

This may be going out on a limb, but I say the Penguins lose 3 of the next 4 games. Losing to Philly and the Maple Leafs, leaving a toss up against the Senators and Hurricanes.

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Phoenix Coyotes

Sep 17

Posted by EB in Season Previews | 1 Comment

No greater is the need to have a winning season other than right now for the Phoenix Coyotes. With the future of the team in question, the team must go on and is doing so.

The team has made only few acquisitions to increase depth and talent. Starting with goalie, Jason Labarbera has signed with the team. Last year Labarbera split his time between two clubs, the L.A. Kings and the Vancouver Canucks. Combining his stats, he posted 8 wins, 10 losses and 6 overtime losses in 28 games with a .901 save percentage. His expectations should be no more than providing a solid back up position to starting goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.

The Phoenix Coyote’s seem to be transitioning into a more puck moving club, as they have gotten rid of their enforcers. Last season Daniel Carcillo was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, as this season they have decided not to sign right wing Brian McGrattan to the Calgary Flames. The Flames have also picked up Nigel Dawes off of waivers from the Coyotes.

Perhaps the only two other players to make note of that will be joining the Coyote’s roster is that of defenseman Adrian Aucoin and the return of forward Radim Vrbata.

Aucoin holds an Olympic silver medal from 1994, played in the NHL All Star game in the 2003 – 2004 season and is a solid defenseman. The veteran defenseman will be able to provide wisdom and knowledge to the relatively young defense of the Coyote’s, as well as production on the power play.

Young forward Peter Mueller will be reunited with the return of winger Radim Vrbata.

Young forward Peter Mueller will be reunited with the return of winger Radim Vrbata.

The return of Radim Vrbata should ignite some offensive sparks with young forward Peter Mueller.  Vrbata winged a line of then rookie Peter Mueller. Together they were able to provide an offensive threat, combining for 49 goals, 61 assists totaling 110 points.

The Coyote’s have the talent to be a good hockey team. Captain and excellent two way player Shane Doan, up and coming Scottie Upshall, as well as veteran assistant captain Ed Jovanovski. The team was on pace to make the playoffs last season, only to fall hard and ending in 13th place. With the club’s future in question, even the question of Wayne Gretzky being head coach, the team could be an absolute wreck with the side distractions, or have an excellent season later to be made into a sports motivational movie.

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Round Trip

Aug 3

Posted by EB in Fantasy, News | 1 Comment

Radim Vrbata returns to the Coyotes lineup next season.

Radim Vrbata returns to the Coyotes lineup next season.

With all the hoopla surrounding the Phoenix Coyotes, it is easy to have missed the return of right wing Radim Vrbata. Vrbata played with the Coyotes in the ’07–’08 season, posting 56 points in 76 games. Afterwards he signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning only to play 18 games, and returns to the Coyotes lineup next season.

It is uncertain what line and with whom he will be playing with, yet with the loss of Nigel Dawes to the Calgary Flames, expect him to be playing on the second line. From a fantasy perspective Vrbata does contribute points wise, and if given the opportunity to play on the power play, he would be a real good addition for depth.

One last thing to note, Peter Mueller entered the league in the ’07–’08 season with a very respectable 54 points, yet dipped last season. If the two play together consitently, watch closely as the two could be a dangerous tandem.

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