Howlin' for New

A new era begins in Arizona, as NYMets3305 takes over as pack leader and GM of the Coyotes. While the Coyotes were in the Stanley Cup Final in the 2021-2022 season, they struggled last year, and ended up missing the playoffs completely. A significant amount of change has taken place in the offseason, with hopes of getting back to the playoffs this season. They are going to have to take on the “group of death” division to get there, with teams such as the Avalanche, Jets, Stars, Wild, and Predators all standing in the way and looking to make the playoffs as well. 

What may help them get back into the playoffs is a slight change in team philosophy, as the team attempts to switch away from the high powered offense to a physical, defensive juggernaut. The additions of Tanner Jeannot, Christian Fischer, and Scott Laughton are going to help make this team a pain to play against with their strong two way play and high work rates. Josh Brown and Adam Pelech are two solid defensive defensemen that are going to help keep the puck out of our net and protect our goalies. Both Philip Grubauer and Pheonix Copley are two solid netminders that will be able to step in for the other when needed, both signed from free agency this year after electing to not re-sign Ville Husso. 

With the new players, there is a change in player leadership as well. Scott Laughton was announced as the new Coyotes captain and will be wearing the C for his next game. Adam Pelech was made an assistant captain along with Brayden Point. With all three of them in the primes of their careers, they should be able to let their on-ice play do as much of the talking for them and lead by example. This is one of the oldest teams in the league though, so there will be leaders everywhere in the locker room. 

After putting up 103 points last season, Johnny Gaudreau enters the final year of his Coyotes contract looking to lead the offense again along with Brayden Point. The two combined for 70 goals last year, almost a third of the entire Arizona offense. Even with a good performance from Gaudreau this year, he is someone that may end up finding himself in a different uniform at the end of the year if the Coyotes are on the outside looking in for the playoffs. Point was extended in this offseason as NYMets3305’s first Coyotes signing of his tenure, earning a 9 million a year salary for the next 5 seasons. 

While most of this team is locked up for the next three seasons, there are some other players that will be out of contract at the end of the season. Matt Roy and Zach Whitecloud are two big pieces to the defense that could be leaving at the end of the season. Pierre Oliver Joseph is waiting in the wings and a good season will give him a very good chance to take one of those spots as his own. Tyson Jost, Michael McLeod, Keegan Kolesar and Christian Fischer are also out of contract, but are all RFAs that will allow the Coyotes to hold on to them easier. All four of them are close to make-or-break territory and will need good seasons to lock up roles on the team for next year.  

Things are still looking up for the Yotes and everyone is hoping for a strong start to the new tenure.