Re-sign Hall, build around Hall, Kuemper, OEL, Chychrun, Keller, Hayton, Schmaltz , Kessel (really unlucky year, he's in decline but he's better than you think) Garland and the swedish defenseman they drafted last year.

Clear out all that dead cap space - Dvorak, Soderberg, Demers, Goligoski etc -

Use draft pick to acquire another elite player.

Hope to hell Kuemper is the legit superstar he appears to be.
- James_Tanner

Hmm, this is so easy to pick apart. Where to begin. So up front you are going to have:

Hall-Keller-Kessel (your dream line)
Schmaltz-Hayton-Garland

Then a bunch of AHL replacement players making $1M or whatever. Right? Because you obviously don't want to be re-signing Soderberg. And you can't wait for Stepan's $6.5M to expire. You apparently want to get rid of Dvorak, which will require adding a draft pick to do. You don't want Grabner back at $3M because mid-tier guys like that are pointless when an AHL guy can practically do the same job. So those are your 6 forwards above. Your bottom 6 is Lawson Crouse and some AHL fodder.

On defense you have:

OEL-Chychrun

And um, well, you said you can't wait for Demers and Goligoski to leave. No room for a mid-tier guy like Hjalmarsson making $4M+ either. So I guess the rest of your defense is this Swedish prospect (his name is actually Soderstrom). Let's hope he pans out. And then I guess some more AHL replacement players. So maybe Jordan Oesterle sticks around with Kyle Capobianco? Because remember, that's your model. A few star players making big bucks and then a bunch of $1M guys filling out the roster.

Oh wait, you also said to trade a draft pick for another elite player. That sounds pretty easy. I guess since your defense is a complete trainwreck with OEL-Chychrun, and crossing your fingers on Soderstrom, well you probably want to add an elite defenseman. So maybe you trade a 1st for what...a guy like Sami Vatanen or Brandon Montour. But wait - are they elite enough for you, or is that one of those mid-tier guys that you are so sickened by? Aim bigger right? Maybe you can trade for someone like Dahlin or Makar or Hughes who would fit right into your core. That should be easy to do without giving up anyone from your core. Just trade a draft pick for an elite player was your words.. Oh and maybe just sign Alex Pietrangelo. Give him $12M+ to waste away in the desert.

Sounds pretty easy. Hope Chayka is reading...

Re-sign Hall, build around Hall, Kuemper, OEL, Chychrun, Keller, Hayton, Schmaltz , Kessel (really unlucky year, he's in decline but he's better than you think) Garland and the swedish defenseman they drafted last year.

Clear out all that dead cap space - Dvorak, Soderberg, Demers, Goligoski etc -

Use draft pick to acquire another elite player.

Hope to hell Kuemper is the legit superstar he appears to be.


- james_tanner

It's going to cost assets to get out from some of those contracts. They need to clear out cap space if they hope to re-sign Hall. Better hope there is a compliance buyout to get out from under the Kessel contract. Too bad Chayka gave up draft picks like the #7 to get Stepan.

Best thing to do first is to get a new GM.

It's going to cost assets to get out from some of those contracts. They need to clear out cap space if they hope to re-sign Hall. Better hope there is a compliance buyout to get out from under the Kessel contract. Too bad Chayka gave up draft picks like the #7 to get Stepan.

Best thing to do first is to get a new GM.
- MJL

If you hire a GM who is 20 something years old, it seems kind of weird to get rid of him after he has a few years experience. He still possesses the brilliance that enabled him to get such a job at such a young age, and now he's got the experience that prevents most brilliant people from breaking into fields like NHL general managing.

I think he's done a pretty good job overall, and would like too see how he does for the next few years. I don't see any point in getting rid of him, especially considering how few good candidates there are to replace him.

Does this all fall apart without Hall though, idk the odds of him resigning but even with him the on ice product hasn’t been great.
- ClaudeFather

If you're Taylor Hall, why would you re-sign with the Coyotes?

Hmm, this is so easy to pick apart. Where to begin. So up front you are going to have:

Hall-Keller-Kessel (your dream line)
Schmaltz-Hayton-Garland



Ideally they would add at least one, maybe two elite or potentially elite players to this top six. The second line here would be an ideal third line on a good team. I think Keller and Kessel 2/3rds of a good second line.

Then a bunch of AHL replacement players making $1M or whatever. Right? Because you obviously don't want to be re-signing Soderberg. And you can't wait for Stepan's $6.5M to expire.


Stepan is a pretty useful player, I don't like his contract, but you can live with it. He's respected enough, I don't think it'd be hard to get rid of him.

You apparently want to get rid of Dvorak, which will require adding a draft pick to do.

Dvorak is 22 or whatever. His contract is probably pretty easy to move, he'd get an asset back, he wouldn't cost anything to move. It might even end up being a good idea to keep him. I suspect it isn't, but I've been wrong before.



You don't want Grabner back at $3M because mid-tier guys like that are pointless when an AHL guy can practically do the same job. So those are your 6 forwards above. Your bottom 6 is Lawson Crouse and some AHL fodder.

Correct, but I'd like to get rid of Crouse too he is not good enough to play on a good team. Skilled players like Nic Petan who can't play top six in the NHL but excel in the AHL are easy to find, very cheap and are always better options than Crouse, Soderberg , Richardson etc.

On defense you have:

OEL-Chychrun

And um, well, you said you can't wait for Demers and Goligoski to leave. No room for a mid-tier guy like Hjalmarsson making $4M+ either.

Victor Soderstrom can replace Demers or Goligoski at a fraction of the cost. You keep Hjalmarsson because he actually is one guy worth his money. He's very good defensively, so he's worth keeping. An exception to the rule.



So I guess the rest of your defense is this Swedish prospect (his name is actually Soderstrom). Let's hope he pans out. And then I guess some more AHL replacement players. So maybe Jordan Oesterle sticks around with Kyle Capobianco? Because remember, that's your model. A few star players making big bucks and then a bunch of $1M guys filling out the roster.

The typical NHL bottom pairing contributes no Wins over the course of the season, most have negative value (due to teams insisting that Polaks and Hainseys are worth playing). Oesterle and Capobianco are a perfectly adequate third pairing.


Oh wait, you also said to trade a draft pick for another elite player. That sounds pretty easy. I guess since your defense is a complete trainwreck with OEL-Chychrun, and crossing your fingers on Soderstrom, well you probably want to add an elite defenseman. So maybe you trade a 1st for what...a guy like Sami Vatanen or Brandon Montour. But wait - are they elite enough for you, or is that one of those mid-tier guys that you are so sickened by? Aim bigger right? Maybe you can trade for someone like Dahlin or Makar or Hughes who would fit right into your core. That should be easy to do without giving up anyone from your core. Just trade a draft pick for an elite player was your words.. Oh and maybe just sign Alex Pietrangelo. Give him $12M+ to waste away in the desert.

Sounds pretty easy. Hope Chayka is reading...




- Kooleus

If you're Taylor Hall, why would you re-sign with the Coyotes?
- gergeswillems

Having the smartest and most brilliant GM would be a huge appeal. So would joining with other superstars like Kessel and Keller. Finally, if Tocchet would actually listen to brilliant bloggers, Hall could be promised zero PP time so he could play more 5-on-5 time. Lawson Crouse would lead the PP with Brad Boyes coming out of retirement.

If you hire a GM who is 20 something years old, it seems kind of weird to get rid of him after he has a few years experience. He still possesses the brilliance that enabled him to get such a job at such a young age, and now he's got the experience that prevents most brilliant people from breaking into fields like NHL general managing.

I think he's done a pretty good job overall, and would like too see how he does for the next few years. I don't see any point in getting rid of him, especially considering how few good candidates there are to replace him.
- James_Tanner

It's not kind of weird to get rid of a GM for under performing and doing a poor job, which Chayka has. His age is irrelevant but his inexperience is. His inexperience has been showing through. His brilliance has not.

You contradict yourself. How do you know there is not a better more brilliant candidate out there? It's also asinine to state that there are few good candidates to replace him.

The typical NHL bottom pairing contributes no Wins over the course of the season, most have negative value (due to teams insisting that Polaks and Hainseys are worth playing). Oesterle and Capobianco are a perfectly adequate third pairing.

- James_Tanner

Stanley Cups have been lost due to having a poor 3rd defense pairing.

I'm puzzled how someone who claims he can do better than most GM's in the league thinks that 19 year Soderstrom is going to come into the NHL and take over the role of veteran defenseman who play 20+ minutes a game.

Stanley Cups have been lost due to having a poor 3rd defense pairing.

I'm puzzled how someone who claims he can do better than most GM's in the league thinks that 19 year Soderstrom is going to come into the NHL and take over the role of veteran defenseman who play 20+ minutes a game.
- MJL

It's also hilarious how Troller thinks it's so easy to acquire elite level players. Teams are just dying to give #1 centers and #1 defensemen away.

It's not kind of weird to get rid of a GM for under performing and doing a poor job, which Chayka has. His age is irrelevant but his inexperience is. His inexperience has been showing through. His brilliance has not.

You contradict yourself. How do you know there is not a better more brilliant candidate out there? It's also asinine to state that there are few good candidates to replace him.
- MJL

The evaluation of Chayka's performance is likely vastly different depending on perspective. There are a few qualifications:
1) What is the agreed to vision of the team (by both him and the upper mgmt).
2) What are the expectations vs timeline to achieve that vision.
3) Are results considered black and white or is there some grey area (i.e. is simple improvement considered advantageous, or does it have to be some sort of playoff success)?

If you look at a team like the Senators, there obviously is not a strong will to win. They turn over any player who they think is or will be making too much money and hope whatever parts they tape together work.

From what I understand, Chayka's been in charge for about 4 years (I guess full control for 3). That is not a lot of time in the scheme of things. I don't have the answer as to how good of a GM he actually is, but I don't think 3 years after starting from scratch is a true measure.

It's also hilarious how Troller thinks it's so easy to acquire elite level players. Teams are just dying to give #1 centers and #1 defensemen away.
- gergeswillems

Well they only need a couple!

The evaluation of Chayka's performance is likely vastly different depending on perspective. There are a few qualifications:
1) What is the agreed to vision of the team (by both him and the upper mgmt).
2) What are the expectations vs timeline to achieve that vision.
3) Are results considered black and white or is there some grey area (i.e. is simple improvement considered advantageous, or does it have to be some sort of playoff success)?

If you look at a team like the Senators, there obviously is not a strong will to win. They turn over any player who they think is or will be making too much money and hope whatever parts they tape together work.

From what I understand, Chayka's been in charge for about 4 years (I guess full control for 3). That is not a lot of time in the scheme of things. I don't have the answer as to how good of a GM he actually is, but I don't think 3 years after starting from scratch is a true measure.
- Chunk

It's been 4 years. I can recall Chayka and Holland making the Datsyuk zombie contract trade at the 2016 draft.

The evaluation of Chayka's performance is likely vastly different depending on perspective. There are a few qualifications:
1) What is the agreed to vision of the team (by both him and the upper mgmt).
2) What are the expectations vs timeline to achieve that vision.
3) Are results considered black and white or is there some grey area (i.e. is simple improvement considered advantageous, or does it have to be some sort of playoff success)?

If you look at a team like the Senators, there obviously is not a strong will to win. They turn over any player who they think is or will be making too much money and hope whatever parts they tape together work.

From what I understand, Chayka's been in charge for about 4 years (I guess full control for 3). That is not a lot of time in the scheme of things. I don't have the answer as to how good of a GM he actually is, but I don't think 3 years after starting from scratch is a true measure.
- Chunk

You have to look at the moves he has made. He's dealt major assets such as multiple 1st round picks, including the 7th overall to try and speed up the process. He traded Domi. Added Kessel who looks like a cap anchor. If Hall walks, that's a colossal blunder. Now I don't know if he has been under a management mandate to win now but even if he has, he still hasn't done a good job. The team is stagnating. There is no getting around that. If he picked this current course then he picked the wrong one. It's not just about wins and losses. There is no clear direction under Chayka.

The evaluation of Chayka's performance is likely vastly different depending on perspective. There are a few qualifications:
1) What is the agreed to vision of the team (by both him and the upper mgmt).
2) What are the expectations vs timeline to achieve that vision.
3) Are results considered black and white or is there some grey area (i.e. is simple improvement considered advantageous, or does it have to be some sort of playoff success)?

If you look at a team like the Senators, there obviously is not a strong will to win. They turn over any player who they think is or will be making too much money and hope whatever parts they tape together work.

From what I understand, Chayka's been in charge for about 4 years (I guess full control for 3). That is not a lot of time in the scheme of things. I don't have the answer as to how good of a GM he actually is, but I don't think 3 years after starting from scratch is a true measure.
- Chunk

But what is the plan here? Chayka took zombie contracts from teams to build up assets. He blew the Cap space in a hurry and claimed he had a bevy of blue chip prospects he'd rebuild the team with. Then he signed a few of these players to long term contracts they didn't deserve.

Then he fast tracks his rebuild by acquiring an aging and declining Phil Kessel as well as buying a lottery ticket with Taylor Hall. Why would he re-sign with Arizona? He's a UFA who'll hit the jackpot on the open market. So what sense did it make for Chayka to mortgage even more of the Coyotes long term future for a rental?

This team isn't even close to competing for a Cup. In what universe? Lying to yourself gets you further away from competing for a Cup. Chayka is capped out, has marginal prospects and keeps bleeding assets to acquire lottery tickets. He's close to being the next Chiarelli or Milbury.

Well they only need a couple!
- MJL

Maybe the NHL will allow the Coyotes to have an additional $20 million in cap space so Boy genius Chayka can magically acquire 2 superstars from Fantasy Land.

Maybe the NHL will allow the Coyotes to have an additional $20 million in cap space so Boy genius Chayka can magically acquire 2 superstars from Fantasy Land.
- gergeswillems

There's a cost to clearing cap space. The Yotes will have to make some significant moves and hope there is a compliance buyout so they can buyout Kessel just to have the cap space to make Hall a competitive offer. They were in a jam before the season stoppage occurred for next year. A big part of me may think that it's a blessing in disguise because I don't think Hall is worth the contract he's going to command.

Stanley Cups have been lost due to having a poor 3rd defense pairing.

I'm puzzled how someone who claims he can do better than most GM's in the league thinks that 19 year Soderstrom is going to come into the NHL and take over the role of veteran defenseman who play 20+ minutes a game.
- MJL

Not the 2015 Hawks! Won against the Bolts with a third pair that included Kyle Cuminsky and the ghost of Kimmo Timonen.

I know its the outlier, but still pretty impressive.

Not the 2015 Hawks! Won against the Bolts with a third pair that included Kyle Cuminsky and the ghost of Kimmo Timonen.

I know its the outlier, but still pretty impressive.
- Chunk

When your team beat my team in 2010, the Flyers 3rd defense pair was an albatross.

Rozsival was also in that mix for you guys that year.

But what is the plan here? Chayka took zombie contracts from teams to build up assets. He blew the Cap space in a hurry and claimed he had a bevy of blue chip prospects he'd rebuild the team with. Then he signed a few of these players to long term contracts they didn't deserve.

Then he fast tracks his rebuild by acquiring an aging and declining Phil Kessel as well as buying a lottery ticket with Taylor Hall. Why would he re-sign with Arizona? He's a UFA who'll hit the jackpot on the open market. So what sense did it make for Chayka to mortgage even more of the Coyotes long term future for a rental?

This team isn't even close to competing for a Cup. In what universe? Lying to yourself gets you further away from competing for a Cup. Chayka is capped out, has marginal prospects and keeps bleeding assets to acquire lottery tickets. He's close to being the next Chiarelli or Milbury.
- gergeswillems

Oh, I wasn't saying that I thought he was doing a good job. I honestly don't follow AZ nearly close enough to really render an opinion other than "they haven't won anything, so they suck". I'm personally of the opinion that you can't say that you had a "good" year unless you win the Cup. That is the singular goal of playing an NHL season.

All I was saying is that you have to consider all perspectives of the argument when evaluating the job of a GM. Different teams are in different situations/markets and might have different end goals to what the fanbase wants (hence my Senators reference).

All I was saying is that you have to consider all perspectives of the argument when evaluating the job of a GM. Different teams are in different situations/markets and might have different end goals to what the fanbase wants (hence my Senators reference).
- Chunk

I think you're correct there but when looking at it, what course is Chayka on? Trying to win now? If so, that's foolish on his part. Adding Hall did not change a whole lot. Giving up the assets he has given up is just going to delay the process further and has set them back. That shows a lack of vision on his part and really his inexperience. Despite being called a genius by the blogger.

Being a mediocre team while being capped out is the worst possible place you can have a team.

When your team beat my team in 2010, the Flyers 3rd defense pair was an albatross.

Rozsival was also in that mix for you guys that year.
- MJL

Oh I'm sure. Like I said, I'm well aware that it was an outlier and not the norm.

I do have to admit, as much as I can't stand the guy (sorry, his time in STL pretty much ruined it for me), but Pronger was an animal in that series.

The Hawks didn't get Rozsival until 12-13. He gets a lot of hate because Bowman gave him an extra contract when it was pretty clear he was done (at which point he was affectionately called the three wheeled shopping cart), but he was actually halfway decent. Slow as molasses, but positionally sound and strong enough to protect the crease a little.

Oh I'm sure. Like I said, I'm well aware that it was an outlier and not the norm.

I do have to admit, as much as I can't stand the guy (sorry, his time in STL pretty much ruined it for me), but Pronger was an animal in that series.

The Hawks didn't get Rozsival until 12-13. He gets a lot of hate because Bowman gave him an extra contract when it was pretty clear he was done (at which point he was affectionately called the three wheeled shopping cart), but he was actually halfway decent. Slow as molasses, but positionally sound and strong enough to protect the crease a little.
- Chunk

I was referring to the 15 playoffs for you guys with Rozsival.

Oh, I wasn't saying that I thought he was doing a good job. I honestly don't follow AZ nearly close enough to really render an opinion other than "they haven't won anything, so they suck". I'm personally of the opinion that you can't say that you had a "good" year unless you win the Cup. That is the singular goal of playing an NHL season.

All I was saying is that you have to consider all perspectives of the argument when evaluating the job of a GM. Different teams are in different situations/markets and might have different end goals to what the fanbase wants (hence my Senators reference).
- Chunk

My intent wasn't to criticize you. It was an open question. What is Chayka's plan? He wants to win now but his team isn't good enough. He lacks cap space to improve. There's no blue Chip prospects knocking at the door. He's traded away multiple first round picks.

The Coyotes are competitive so they're not getting any lottery picks. They're like the Leafs were for years. Too good to bottom out and not good enough to contend. It's NHL purgatory. It's a horrible position to be in.

I think you're correct there but when looking at it, what course is Chayka on? Trying to win now? If so, that's foolish on his part. Adding Hall did not change a whole lot. Giving up the assets he has given up is just going to delay the process further and has set them back. That shows a lack of vision on his part and really his inexperience. Despite being called a genius by the blogger.

Being a mediocre team while being capped out is the worst possible place you can have a team.
- MJL

Simply playing devil's advocate here. At the time of the trade for Hall, I believe they were at or near the top of the division. Say what you will about Taylor Hall, but he is a very good player (he was voted MVP). They didn't give up any roster players, so it was simply a matter of inserting him into the lineup and gaining chemistry with new teammates.

That it didn't work is only part of the equation, and someone smarter than I would have to identify why it turned out so poorly.

Alas, the bolded is where I currently find my team. I'm not complaining at all since they have the hardware to back it up and in a relatively tight cap world, it is pretty much inevitable. I'm happy for the younger guys we have coming up now, but there are a couple more years of crap before they are truly competitive again.

There's a cost to clearing cap space. The Yotes will have to make some significant moves and hope there is a compliance buyout so they can buyout Kessel just to have the cap space to make Hall a competitive offer. They were in a jam before the season stoppage occurred for next year. A big part of me may think that it's a blessing in disguise because I don't think Hall is worth the contract he's going to command.
- MJL

No. Hall isn't worth the contract he'll get and Troller will turn on him faster than Benedict Arnold. But Chayka bought a lottery ticket on Hall hoping he could convince him to stay. It was foolish. These quick fix moves by Chayka are adding up. In the end it's not worth it. Fast tracking killed Brian Burke and it's killing Chayka. It's ironic how both GM's traded for Phil Kessel to fast track their rebuilds.