|
Coyotes, Buyer or Sellers? |
|
|
|
|
|
The big question going into this trade deadline, are the Coyotes buyers, or sellers?
Are they a quick fix from a run, or done?
Let's look at the standings.
1
* - CHICAGO CEN 35 27 5 3 57 22 119 76 +43 13-3-1 14-2-2 5-3 6-4-0 WON 2
2
* - ANAHEIM PAC 36 24 7 5 53 19 111 90 +21 13-4-0 11-3-5 5-3 4-4-2 WON 1
3
* - MINNESOTA NW 35 21 12 2 44 17 98 90 +8 13-4-1 8-8-1 4-1 8-2-0 LOST 1
4
VANCOUVER NW 36 19 11 6 44 15 94 93 +1 10-5-3 9-6-3 4-5 6-4-0 LOST 2
5
LOS ANGELES PAC 35 20 12 3 43 19 103 88 +15 12-4-1 8-8-2 1-2 6-3-1 WON 1
6
SAN JOSE PAC 35 18 11 6 42 12 88 86 +2 12-1-4 6-10-2 6-3 7-3-0 WON 5
7
DETROIT CEN 36 18 13 5 41 16 94 94 E 10-6-3 8-7-2 2-2 6-4-0 WON 1
8
ST. LOUIS CEN 34 18 14 2 38 16 98 94 +4 8-7-1 10-7-1 2-1 5-5-0 WON 1
9
EDMONTON NW 35 15 13 7 37 13 91 96 -5 8-5-4 7-8-3 2-3 6-2-2 WON 4
10
COLUMBUS CEN 36 15 14 7 37 11 87 97 -10 11-4-5 4-10-2 4-4 5-2-3 WON 2
11
NASHVILLE CEN 36 14 14 8 36 12 89 99 -10 9-3-4 5-11-4 2-6 3-5-2 OT 2
12
DALLAS PAC 35 16 16 3 35 15 94 107 -13 8-9-2 8-7-1 1-1 4-5-1 LOST 2
13
PHOENIX PAC 35 14 15 6 34 11 94 101 -7 10-7-1 4-8-5 3-4 2-5-3 OT 1
14
CALGARY NW 34 13 17 4 30 13 94 118 -24 10-6-2 3-11-2 0-3 4-6-0 LOST 2
15
COLORADO NW 35 12 19 4 28 11 86 111 -25 10-6-1 2-13-3 1-1 2-8-0 LOST 1
I apologize for the messy standings thing, but it's point is to show that the 6 game losing streak has almost decimated the Coyotes chances for the playoffs as much as Smith's injury.
The contenders for that final spot are the
The Blues: The highly talented squad with more pieces than you can count. Perfect on paper, poor in execution. They should be contenders, yet they are only contending for the 8th slot. They just added Jay Bouw and like him or not that gives the Blues one of the best top-4's in the entire league with Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk, Jackman and the aforementioned. I expect this kind of move will give them legitimacy, if their goaltending can figure things out.
The Oilers: Clouts might not be wrong, this could be a team of destiny...ok fine, a team of squeaking into the playoffs. They're getting hot at the right time and Dubnyk while inconsistent at times is a great goalie when he's on. With this recent winning streak do they sell still? Or do they go for a push by adding a veteran presence? They're a team to watch.
The Jackets: Surprise of the season, the Jackets are playing like a team, exactly what they've always needed. No longer are they a one man show. They have a dangerous defense with one of my personal favourites in Fedor Tyutin, plus Bobrovsky is on his way to a Vezina. They remind me of the Coyotes of last season. Knowing their need for the playoff dough, they won't sell.
The Preds: I'm not too worried about the Preds. They've underachieved all year, or maybe were overachieving before. Knowing their past they might buy, but this is a team with big gaps that could do with some offensive punch. Roman Josi is a beast, just gonna say, love him.
The Stars: Selling their captain has helped add to the media fires that they are sellers. They have a large group of veterans any team would love for a run like The Wizard Ray Whitney, Jagr, Roy and Robidas. What is this team? They're old as hell with some great young pieces, I could see them selling.
With that out of the way we get to the Coyotes.
I think they will stand pat myself, but I'm not Don Maloney. The team doesn't have it to make the playoffs at this point. Let's look at what they have to sell.
Keith Yandle: I'm going to preface this by saying I firmly believe he will not be moved. He's locked in for several more years at a great price and while people who don't watch the Coyotes believe OEL has taken his place, he hasn't, OEL is the number one, Yandle the number two, both are compatible on the same team. If Yandle would be traded the Coyotes would be getting a top-line player or a top-line potential prospect. 26 year old All-Star offensive defensemen don't grow on trees, especially those who have improved well enough to be solid in their own end, if a bit soft.
Rostislav Klesla: Klesla was amazing in last years playoff, but that seems to have been a blip on his roller-coaster of a career. He's playing pretty poorly and has had injury issues. If there is any defenseman making a case to be moved for a young guy it's him. With only one year left at 2.975 mil he'd make a good pick-up for a team looking for a veteran 4-6 defenseman.
Derek Morris: I've given him crap a lot over my time writing, but he's shown some great versatility. He brings physicality and every now and then some glimpses of his old offensive self from years ago. He's still a second pairing defender who can play 20-21 minutes a night including PK time.
Steve Sullivan: An UFA to be, Sullivan at this point in his career is a 3rd liner. He's strictly a rental and only a veteran presence. I would try to move him regardless of buying or selling. He's likely worth little, but it's better to get something than nothing.
Boyd Gordon: This is a tough one. I think Gordon has proven to the NHL he's a top notch bottom-6 player. He's one of the best face-off men in the NHL and he's one of the best penalty killers. Any team would love to grab him for their fourth line...some for their third. These kinds of players usually go for 2nd round picks and such, hell Gaustad got a first (Not saying Gordon would). The issue is, who do they replace him with and would they move one of Tippett's favourites? I'm not sure, but you have to look at what is offered.
Matt Lombardi: Speed and speed and no hands. Lombardi is an UFA and is a fringe player these days. I'd move him. He's on his way out of the NHL. Not even sure there is a market for him.
Raffi Torres: All shenanigans aside, Torres is a great fourth liner. He brings some scoring touch, lots of physicality and if they can keep him calm and on his feet he's not a liability. He's a guy I can see a lot of teams calling for.
Lauri Korpikoski: Korpikoski has been thrust into a role a bit above himself for the mot part in Phoenix. He's not a top-6 forward. He's a speedy penalty killing third liner who can score 15 goals and add 30 points. As a RFA he's set to make a raise from his 1.8 mil, what is he worth? Anything over 2.4 is an overpayment, but he might want that. If the Coyotes are selling, he'd be a guy mot contenders would love.
David Rundblad: If they keep Yandle, Rundblad's time will be up. He's improving slowly in the AHL towards his own end, but I don't think he'll ever mesh with Tippett. He needs a more open system. At 22 he's still very young and a promising top-4 potential defender. He's had a great year in the AHL as one of the top scoring defensemen. Is he prime for a similar move as the one in which they acquired him?
Thanks for reading.
Join the Discussion:
»