Analyzing the Coyotes' offseason moves

How many more years before they return to the playoffs?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Analyzing the Coyotes' offseason moves
Keystone Press

It was a busy offseason for the Arizona Coyotes, who made headlines by moving longtime goaltender Mike Smith while acquiring Antti RaantaDerek Stepan, and Niklas Hjalmarsson

The team did also lose Shane Doan (retirement), Radim Vrbata (Panthers), Connor Murphy(trade with Blackhawks), Anthony DeAngelo (trade with Rangers), and Chad Johnson (Sabres).

Despite the losses, the team does appear to be trending upwards, however, as Stepan, Raanta and Hjalmarsson are all well-experienced at the NHL level and can help replace some of that veteran leadership that was provided by Doan and Vrbata. The offense is gushing with potential and Stepan is a proven playmaker who consistently delivers 50-60 points every season. Hjalmarsson is as solid as they come for rearguards, while Raanta posted a .922 save percentage with the Rangers in 2017-18.

The team also named Rick Tocchet to be their new head coach on July 11. Tocchet was an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017. Tocchet is well-experienced working with talented young players and should thrive working will all the young guns in Arizona. 

Doan's departure was rough, but there is way too much offensive talent on this club for them not to take a step forward in 2017-18. The main issue is, even though they have improved, they'll still have a hard time competing against the likes of the talented Anaheim DucksSan Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division. 

How many more years before this team returns to the playoffs?

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