Phoenix Coyotes - Likely Line-up

After a three-year run when the Phoenix Coyotes consistently outperformed preseason expectations, including the franchise's first trip to the Western Conference Final in 2012, they missed the postseason in 2012-13. Even during all of the success, scoring goals was the biggest weakness for the defensive-minded Coyotes. Adding Mike Ribeiro, the highest-scoring NHL player from 2012-13 who was an unrestricted free agent, could help in that department. He's one of the best passers in the League, but figuring out who will be on the end of his setups is on the to-do list during training camp. If the Coyotes can fill out the top two lines without needing either Martin Hanzal or Antoine Vermette to shift to the wing, Phoenix will be strong up the middle. Ribeiro replaces Boyd Gordon on the roster, which is an obvious offensive upgrade, but the Coyotes could miss Gordon's defense. Phoenix lost a couple of other depth forwards but added Brandon Yip from the Nashville Predators, and there will be an opportunity at training camp for one of the team's prospects to earn a significant role. The defense returns intact, and goaltender Mike Smith is back and sporting a new long-term contract. Phoenix will rely on its ability to prevent goals to be a Stanley Cup Playoff contender, but the Coyotes will need to score more of them to make a return to the postseason. There is an obvious opening in the top six up front. Brown is one candidate, as are 2013 first-round pick Max Domi, young forwards Henrik Samuelsson and Brendan Shinnimin, and maybe veteran Korpikoski. A fallback plan would be to shift one of the top three centers to wing. If that were the case, Domi or Shinnimin could fit as the No. 3 center. The defense could look exactly the same, but younger players Stone, David Rundblad and Brandon Gormley will be pushing for permanent and/or more significant roles. Smith appeared in 67 games two seasons ago, but addition Thomas Greiss might be able to give him a little more time off in net.

Here is projected 2013-14 lineup for the Coyotes:

Forwards

Mikkel Boedker - Mike Ribeiro - Radim Vrbata
Shane Doan - Martin Hanzal - Chris Brown
Lauri Korpikoski - Antoine Vermette - David Moss
Rob Klinkhammer - Kyle Chipchura - Brandon Yip
Paul Bissonette

Defensemen

Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Zbynek Michalek
Keith Yandle - Michael Stone
Rostislav Klesla - Derek Morris
David Schlemko

Goalies

Mike Smith
Thomas Greiss

In: C Mike Ribeiro, LW Tim Kennedy, G Thomas Greiss
Out: C Boyd Gordon, RW Nick Johnson, G Chad Johnson, C Alexandre Bolduc, RW Chris Conner, G Jason LaBarbera
UFAs: RW Scott Arnold
Prospects: C Chris Brown, LW Lucas Lessio, C Andy Miele