NHL - Phoenix Coyotes Profile

First of all the State of Arizona is lucky to still have the Coyotes and will enter this season without having to worry about where they will play next season. The team and the City of Glendale reached a two-year agreement in July, so the players' focus can remain on the ice. The Glendale City Council and the Coyotes are hoping to agree on a long-term deal to keep the team at Gila River Arena. But for now, it will be in Arizona at least through the 2016-17 season.
The Coyotes had two big problems last season, they couldn't score goals or defend. This season there is expectation with a revamped defense. Bringing back Zbynek Michalek, is important as he's experienced and a core guy for the team. Nick Grossman was also added to the mix, but its the young guys who will be required to step up. Klas Dahlbeck came in last season and had a pretty impressive year, as did Connor Murphy. Brandon Gormley will need to establish a name for himself.
Last season, the Coyotes had the worst record in the Western Conference and were 11-25-5 at Gila River Arena, their worst home record since they moved to Arizona 19 years ago. It included three home losing streaks of at least eight games. The Coyotes had 56 points last season, 41 behind the Calgary Flames for third place in the Pacific Division. They allowed 267 goals (third most in the NHL), and goalie Mike Smith had his worst season: 14-42-5, a 3.16 goals-against average, and no shutouts for the first time in his nine-year career. Smith allowed four goals or more in 21 of 62 games, but much of that was down to the poor defense in front of him.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23 goals, 43 points) is the cornerstone of the defensemen. The 25-year old established himself as one of the best defenseman in the NHL in the past two seasons. Ekman-Larsson had a career high 23 goals and 43 points, including 20 power-play points, and led NHL defensemen in goals and power-play goals (10) last season. He also scored in the clutch, with seven game-winning goals, including three in overtime. Michalek returns after he was traded to the St. Louis Blues at the NHL Trade Deadline last season.
The Coyotes signed goalie Anders Lindback, the fourth backup they've had to start the past four seasons. Devan Dubnyk began last season as the backup before he was traded to the Minnesota Wild and became a Vezina Trophy finalist. Lindback split last season between the Buffalo Sabres and Dallas Stars and was 6-16-2 with a 3.11 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.
Offseason moves up front included bringing back free agent forward Antoine Vermette, who had 38 points last season, 35 with the Coyotes before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks and winning the Stanley Cup. They also signed Steve Downie (14 goals, 28 points with the Pittsburgh Penguins) and Brad Richardson (eight goals in 45 games with the Vancouver Canucks).
Looking at Center, Vermette returns to the top line brimming with confidence, following his successful stint in Chicago. Marty Hanzal returns to the second line fully fit again. New signings Brad Richardson and Boyd Gordon, who is well known and loved from his previous time in Phoenix, will add depth. Kyle Chipchura can move to the wing, and Joe Vitale can play the wing as well, so that centerman position that was such a weakness last year becomes more solid. It may not be the most puck-creative, but it's a group that can match up with any team in the West on any night. It will give coach Dave Tippett some options in how he plays people. It also allows you to have some youth on the wings with such a solid depth at center. Prospects Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Dylan Strome, the No. 3 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, could provide that youth. Phoenix also signed experienced gritty forwards Steve Downie and John Scott to hopefully alleviate some of the offensive woes. In the past two seasons, only Antoine Roussel of the Dallas Stars has more PIMs (357) than Downie's 344. However, Downie accomplished that number in 27 fewer games. Downie is also capable of chipping in offensively after scoring 14 goals and 14 assists with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.

Since reaching the Western Conference Final in 2012, the Coyotes have not made the Stanley Cup Playoffs and bottomed out last season with the second-worst record in the NHL. A return to the post season will rely upon Mike Smith regaining his form of 2012. Smith had 14 wins in 62 games last season (14-42-5), his lowest save percentage (.904) in four seasons with Arizona, and his highest goals-against average (3.16) of his career. Smith was 38-18-10 with a .930 save percentage and a 2.21 GAA when the Coyotes made the Western Conference Final. Despite his struggles, coach Dave Tippet said numerous times last season Smith will remain the starter. But will newcomer Anders Lindback get a chance at the No. 1 job if Smith's difficulties continue? Another issue is a distinct lack of offense. The Coyotes scored 165 goals (about two per game) last season, second fewest in the League. Their leading scorer was defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23 goals, 43 points), and their second-leading scorers were defenseman Keith Yandle, who had four goals and 41 points in 63 games before he was traded to the New York Rangers, and forward Sam Gagner (15 goals, 26 assists), now with the Philadelphia Flyers. Captain cheap-shot Shane Doan turns 39 one day after the season opener, and his best offensive days likely are behind him. Phoenix signed forwards Antione Vermette (38 points last season, 35 with the Coyotes) and Steve Downie (28 points) to try to improve the offense.

Phoenix has a boatload of prospects in its system, including forwards Max Domi and Anthony Duclair, who could make the NHL this season and see regular playing time. They were impressive at development camp, and Maloney said he expects them to play a significant role at some point this season, whether it's from opening night or a few weeks or months later.
Domi has scored more than 30 goals and 87 points in each of his past three seasons with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, and his production has increased in each of the past four seasons. He could start the season with Springfield, the Coyotes' new American Hockey League affiliate.
There's no doubt Domi, 20, has the offensive potential to succeed in the NHL. In four seasons with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, he improved his scoring in each, going from 49 points in 2011-12 to 102 in 2014-15. The knock has been an inability to get teammates into the play, often rushing up ice and shooting without looking for a pass option. At 5-foot-10, 198 pounds, the son of former NHL player Tie Domi adds a physical presence, something the Coyotes could use. Domi could crack the opening-night roster but shouldn't be expected to play top-six minutes right away. He participated in his third development camp with the Coyotes in July and general manager Don Maloney said he would be surprised if Domi didn't make the team. Domi would have comfort likely playing with Duclair, his linemate with Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Duclair played 18 games with the Rangers last season (one goal, seven points), so he has NHL experience and should help the Coyotes' offense once he's in Arizona. In 26 games with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Montreal Junior Hockey League, Duclair had 15 goals and 34 points. Don Maloney said forward Nick Merkley (the 30th pick in the 2015 NHL Draft) was one of the most impressive players at development camp in July, and Christian Dvorak (the 58th pick in 2014) was the most ready to compete for an NHL roster spot among the players who have junior eligibility remaining. A third-round pick by the Rangers (No. 80) in the 2013 NHL Draft, Duclair could be exactly what the Coyotes need: a young, speedy wing. Duclair had seven points in 18 games with the Rangers early last season before he was traded to the Coyotes at the NHL Trade Deadline. Duclair, 19, has an accurate shot, but scored once on 18 shots last season (5.6 percent) with the Rangers. He scored 50 goals in 59 games with the Remparts of the Quebec Montreal Junior Hockey League in 2013-14, so the offensive ability is there. Duclair has a chance to make the roster out of training camp, but at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, he may need to add size before that happens.
Playing with Connor McDavid, the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, with the Erie Otters last season, Dylan Strome had 45 goals and 129 points in 68 games and two goals and 22 points in 19 playoff games. He's 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, and uses his size to his advantage. Strome, the brother of New York Islanders forward Ryan Strome, has been described as a leader and team player who knows when to shoot and when to pass, but the Coyotes likely will allow him to play another season in juniors before making him an everyday player in the NHL.
After a knee injury in 2013-14 (six goals and 14 points in 33 games), Dvorak broke out for 41 goals and 109 points in 66 regular-season games, with five goals and 13 points in 10 playoff games. Dvorak, 19, played two games with Portland of the AHL, and likely will spend next season with new affiliate Springfield. Dvorak (6-foot, 187) possesses excellent skating ability and is a solid two-way forward. His speed can create problems for opponents, and a season in the AHL should help him before his NHL arrival.
Brandon Gormley, 23, played 27 games for the Coyotes last season and had two goals and four points to go along with 10 penalty minutes and 39 shots on goal. He's played in 32 NHL games but has a chance to be a regular this season. He's a solid two-way defenseman who can join Oliver Ekman-Larsson as a leader of the defense in upcoming years. The Coyotes had the seventh-best power play in the NHL last season, converting on 20 percent of its chances, and Gormley (6-foot-2, 196) could figure prominently as the point man. He can pass, has an accurate shot, and is a tireless worker.
Brendan Perlini could reach the NHL in 2015-16. Defensemen Philip Samuelsson and Klas Dahlbeck are likely to be staples for years to come.


Lines
89 Mikkel Boedker - 11 Martin Hanzal - 19 Shane Doan
Anthony Duclair - Antoine Vermette - Max Domi
Steve Downie - Boyd Gordon - 8 Tobias Rieder
24 Kyle Chipchura - 14 Joe Vitale - Brad Richardson


23 Oliver Ekman-Larsson - 26 Michael Stone
33 Brandon Gormley - Zbynek Michalek
Nicklas Grossman - 34 Klas Dahlbeck


41 Mike Smith - Anders Lindback