So there is nothing really going on, and it's the long weekend (at least here), so I thought I'd take time to just ask a question.
The Coyotes finished four points behind the Avalanche for the final playoff spot.
They went an entire four game road trip near the end of the season scoring a total of four goals, so they probably could have made it if they had even average abilities to score goals.
But yet, as exciting as that was, they were really only going to ever get one series of playoff hockey. Barring a total upset, the Calgary Flames most likely would have destroyed them.
Subsequently, the Coyotes are drafting 14th overall this year.
They don't have anyone who projects to be an elite scorer (although they did trade the one player they had that qualified here) and while their team is good, it's also a long way from great.
My question is this: what would you rather have? A team that finishes four points out of the playoffs and gives you three months of great hockey where almost every game is essentially a playoff game, or would you rather just have them suck and take the high pick?
I personally would rather the high pick. When Raanta went down and all the injuries piled up, I think the Coyotes had an excuse to take a mulligan on the season and should have done so.
They should have traded anyone not part of the future for picks and prospects and made sure they were getting a top five pick.
Of course, this was what was supposed to happen, but the team got Vezina level goaltending from a career backup and almost made the playoffs despite leading the NHL in quality man games lost to injury.
For a team that has never had a playoff series since before the lockout, I think it made sense to try. But If the real goal is championships, then Chayka should have been braver, took the heat, and sunk the team in what was always going to be a lost season from the second Raanta went down.
They should be picking first this June. That they aren't is a failure of imagination and a bit of cowardice.
I get that with Domi tearing it up, and the team winning, that strip mining it would have had bad optics. But really, they never had a chance at a Cup, they should have had a chance at Hughes.
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