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Meet the L.A Kings’ Latest Late-Round Gem

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The Los Angeles Kings have a captivating history in the annual NHL Entry Draft, especially so when it comes to selecting players in later rounds of the event.

While the Kings, like most teams, have been solid when it comes to drafting quality talent within the first round, namely nabbing Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty and Tanner Pearson, Los Angeles has in fact been arguably more successful in rounds two through seven in recent years, a trend which has afforded the Kings with a number of surprisingly promising young prospects.

In 2011, the Kings grabbed Nick Shore in the third round, 82nd overall. Two years prior, Jordan Nolan was selected 186th overall, while Alec Martinez and Dwight King were both fourth-round choices in 2007. The most outstanding late-round pick of all being that of superstar goaltender Jonathan Quick, who was selected by the Kings in the third round, 72nd overall back in 2005.

Yet, despite all of their current talent and apparent luck in the Draft, the Kings remain poised to add yet another young prospect who was – you guessed it – a late round selection in the annual NHL Draft.

Who is Spencer Watson?

In case you have yet to hear of Spencer Watson, let’s take a quick look at his career to date, as well as the skills and abilities which make him one of the Kings’ least known yet top prospects.

A four-year veteran of the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs, Watson’s game has been slowly, yet steadily progressing since his rookie season in 2012-13, perhaps a reason why he was not highly touted heading into the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

As a rookie with the Frontenacs, Watson was, in fact, impressive, scoring 23 goals and 40 points, totals which were good for fourth best on his Kingston team. His sophomore season of 2013-14, the campaign preceding his selection in the 2014 NHL Draft, was one defined by improvement, as Watson’s production soared to 68 points, 33 of which were goals. In 2014-15, Watson’s third OHL season, the budding winger missed 27 games due to injury yet still managed to finish second on his team in scoring, totaling 20 goals and 48 assists.

Through his first three OHL seasons, Watson had yet to truly separate himself from the pack. Although he was widely regarded as a quality forward, he had yet to demonstrate the elite level skill and finish of a top-tier NHL prospect. His seventh round, 209th overall selection by the Kings in the 2014 Draft was, at the time, seemingly an accurate point of selection for the London, Ontario, native.

However, come the 2015-16 season, Watson exploded, showcasing the elite skill level and finish present within a high-quality NHL prospect.

In his fourth season in Kingston, Watson, in 64 games played, netted a whopping 43 goals, 10 tallies more than his previous career high established two years prior. Further, his point total jumped to 89, an incredible 21 greater than his previous high, also set in 2013-14.

Yet, this wasn’t simply the case of a quality prospect playing alongside elite teammates. Watson outscored teammate Lawson Crouse, a first-round pick of the Florida Panthers recently traded to the Arizona Coyotes, by 27 points. Oh, and he also added 17 points in just nine playoff games.

The Scouting Report

Although he isn’t the biggest player on the ice, standing 5’11”, 170 pounds, Watson more than makes up for his apparent lack of size through his persistent on-ice work ethic.

A tireless skater who has the ability to drive both the game and the play, Watson uses his solid speed and explosive acceleration to blow past opposing defenders and isn’t afraid to drive to the net having done so.

It is Watson’s speed and agility which allow his style of play to wreak havoc on opposing defenders and netminders. While at full speed, Watson has the unique ability to utilize his entire skill set, whether it be unleashing a crisp, accurate shot or making a crafty pass to a fellow teammate. Watson’s ability to operate at full-speed, yet see the ice, and his teammates on it, have made the young right-winger a complete threat offensively.

His gifted skill set was a major reason why the Kings signed Watson to a three-year, entry-level contract in April of 2016.

Projecting the Future

At the moment, the future is bright for Watson, who, after four years of OHL hockey, will likely move into the pro ranks with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, in 2016-17.

With that being said, the coming season will be an extremely telling one for Watson and his future, especially so for his career in professional hockey. Throughout his career, pundits have pointed to Watson’s apparent lack of size as an indication of why he will not succeed at the professional level, but as we have seen in the modern day NHL, players of incredible skill yet smaller stature are of increasing abundance and value in the League.

In reality, Watson is not incredibly undersized, and based on his breakout OHL season in 2015-16, appears ready to make the jump to the AHL. While the Kings will surely allow the seventh-rounder time to further develop his game, Watson, like Pearson and Tyler Toffoli in years passed, could be thrust into the Kings’ lineup following a year of two of success in the minor pro ranks.

In all, Watson will need time to further develop his game. However, based on his elite skill level and experience to date, it would appear as though the Kings have drafted yet another late-round gem, and one that could play a major role in the team’s future success.


2016-17 Fantasy Season Outlook: Arizona Coyotes

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This is going to be a young, exciting team to watch — and a team capable of exceeding expectations, perhaps even pushing for a playoff berth.

The prospect junkies will be picking Coyotes left and right in fantasy leagues this season, but it remains to be seen how Arizona’s youngsters will fare in the big league. Some will thrive and others may not survive.

There will be some hit-and-miss options when it comes to the Coyotes, but many fantasy GMs will be willing to take those risks.

The only sure bet is on the blue line, but the upside is promising for several Arizona players — including a handful of rookies — this season.

(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports) Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one of only a few defencemen across the league that would be considered their team's top fantasy performer, but he's certainly deserving of that distinction after leading the Arizona Coyotes in scoring last season.

(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one of only a few defencemen across the league that would be considered their team’s top fantasy performer.

Top Performer: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D

OEL, as he’s affectionately known, is a fantasy stud and should be among the defence leaders in goals and shots again this season.

With the influx of offensive-minded newcomers, Ekman-Larsson could actually improve on last season’s totals of 21 goals (tied for second), 55 points (seventh) and 228 shots (fifth) in 75 games. Had he played all 82, Ekman-Larsson’s stats would have prorated to 23 goals (second), 60 points (fifth) and 249 shots (second). He’s absolutely a top-five fantasy defenceman and could be ranked as high as third behind only Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns. Yes, Ekman-Larsson is that good and he’s still just 25 years old.

Ekman-Larsson also logs a ton of ice-time and is Arizona’s top power-play guy, so there is no reason to expect a drop-off in any of those categories. If anything, anticipate a slight uptick on the assumption that the Coyotes will generate more offence as a whole.

If Arizona’s goals-for number goes up — from 209 last season, ranked 24th out of 30 teams — Ekman-Larsson’s numbers will likely reflect that too.

Underrated Performers: Michael Stone, D, Connor Murphy, D and Kevin Connauton, D

It’s difficult to pick just one — and none of them are great fantasy options — but this defence trio is capable of chipping in from further down the depth chart or off the bench.

Michael Stone Coyotes

(Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)
Michael Stone, seen stretching here, is coming off knee surgery but has been steadily improving as a fantasy option. He had a career-high 36 points last season, tied for 34th in the league amongst defencemen with Aaron Ekblad and Morgan Rielly.

Definitely consider each of them for deeper leagues, but note that Stone could be slowed by off-season knee surgery. He hopes to be ready for the regular-season opener, but it was a six-month recovery process after repairing both his ACL and MCL in April.

That’s a pretty serious operation and Stone might not be the same player to start the season. He ranked second among Arizona defencemen — behind the aforementioned Ekman-Larsson — with 36 points last season, but Stone will likely see less power-play time this season with the free-agent signing of Alex Goligoski.

As doom and gloom as that may sound, Stone is still rather underrated in the fantasy realm.

Murphy was limited to 17 points and Connauton netted nine in 38 games after coming over from Columbus — prorated to 19 over 82 — but both could come close to doubling their production this season. That makes them stronger candidates for another category later in this outlook.

Shane Doan probably deserves a shout-out here too. He’ll turn 40 years old just before the season starts but is still going to be good for 40-plus points and possibly 50. He’s no Jaromir Jagr, but Doan deserves more credit for his continued fantasy contributions and shouldn’t be overlooked because of his age. Don’t reach for Doan based on years past when he was putting up 60-plus points, but don’t avoid him in the later rounds.

Overrated Performer: Martin Hanzal, C

Hanzal got off to a blazing start last season and became a hot commodity in fantasy leagues before fizzling out in the second half. Granted, he was also injured, but Hanzal finished fifth in team scoring with 41 points, including 13 goals, in 64 games — prorated to 53 points and 17 goals. That’s good, but not great — 41 was still a career-high and he’s never scored more than 16 times.

Hanzal could also find himself further down Arizona’s depth chart in more of a checking role this season depending how and where rookies Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak fit in. Even if his even-strength role remains the same, Hanzal’s power-play time will likely decrease to some degree.

Hanzal is in a contract year as a pending unrestricted free agent next summer, so that could fuel his fire for a 20-goal, 50-point campaign, but it’s best to temper expectations when considering him for your fantasy team. There is also the possibility that Hanzal becomes trade bait if Arizona is out of the playoff race at the deadline and those rumours could be a negative distraction as well.

Anthony Duclair isn’t necessarily overrated, but he could fall victim to the sophomore slump. Duclair was fourth in team scoring with 44 points, including 20 goals, last season and might be hard-pressed to match that stat-line in his second campaign. Max Domi seems more likely to build on his rookie totals of 52 points (second) and 18 goals (fourth). Domi could even overtake Ekman-Larsson as the Coyotes’ leading scorer in 2016-17.

Fantasy Sleeper: Alex Goligoski, D

He’s not an unheard of sleeper — he’s been a household name before — but Goligoski seems to be flying under the radar in most draft rankings.

Goligoski was overshadowed by John Klingberg’s emergence in Dallas, but Goligoski is still good for 35-plus points and could flirt with 50 if he’s pairing with Ekman-Larsson on the top power-play unit. That seems to be the plan heading into training camp, so put a little star beside Goligoski as a veteran defenceman who could enjoy a resurgence this season.

Goligoski is still probably a No. 3 or No. 4 on your fantasy depth chart, but don’t let him go undrafted into the later rounds. If he’s available in that No. 4 range — in a league of 12 or more teams — Goligoski is worth strong consideration this season.

Bounce-back Candidates: Radim Vrbata, RW and Luke Schenn, D

These aren’t ideal candidates or strong bets to bounce back, but they do fit the bill from Arizona’s roster.

Vrbata fell out of favour in Vancouver last season and seemed to lose interest as well. His stat-line provided the evidence on both fronts, posting just 13 goals and 27 points in 63 games — prorated to 17 and 35 over 82.

That was a drastic drop-off from the previous season — his first with the Canucks, when Vrbata clicked with the Sedin twins to record a career-high 63 points, including a second-best 31 goals.

Now Vrbata is back in Arizona, where he played from 2007 to 2014, scoring 35 goals in 2011-12. He’ll be familiar with Dave Tippett’s coaching systems and could be rejuvenated if he’s motivated again. Was that the problem last season or did Vrbata actually lose a step skill-wise? Time will tell.

Schenn hasn’t lived up to his draft status as the fifth overall pick from 2008. He’ll be suiting up for his fourth different team this season, but seemed to make strides after getting traded to Los Angeles last season.

Schenn will never be a point producer — he’ll be lucky to exceed 20 ever again — but for fantasy leagues that reward hits and blocked shots, he’s been reinventing himself as a physical, shutdown type. Even still, Schenn is likely a waiver-wire guy in the vast majority of leagues.

The advanced stats don’t paint Schenn in a positive light, but if he picks up with the Coyotes where he left off with the Kings, he’ll be a bounce-back candidate in real life and might even play his way into fantasy relevance again.

Breakout Candidates: Connor Murphy, D and Kevin Connauton, D

Not a lot of strong options here either, but these guys deserve a second mention.

(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) Connor Murphy should be coming into this season riding a wave of confidence and momentum from a strong showing at the world championship.

(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Connor Murphy should be coming into this season riding a wave of confidence and momentum from a strong showing at the world championship.

Murphy was among Team USA’s best players at the world championship tournament this spring and could be poised for a big breakout. He should be a bona fide top-four defenceman by season’s end and might be moving the fantasy needle more than expected too.

You can probably take a wait-and-see approach with Murphy because rival fantasy managers won’t be paying too much attention to him, but if and when you notice him taking off, don’t hesitate to make that claim. For deeper leagues, Murphy may be worth rostering from the get-go.

Ditto for Connauton, who counted four goals among his nine points with Arizona and has always had a cannon of a shot. His all-around game remains a work in progress, but the Coyotes liked enough of what they saw to sign him for another two years.

Connauton might never be a go-to fantasy guy, but he’d make a decent pick-up in a pinch — especially if he’s seeing some time on Arizona’s second power-play unit.

Impact Rookies: Dylan Strome, C, Christian Dvorak, C/LW, Lawson Crouse, LW, Anthony DeAngelo, D and Jakob Chychrun, D

These rookies probably won’t all make the opening-night roster, but they will be getting long looks in training camp as the Coyotes look to go young.

dylan strome

(Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)
Dylan Strome is Arizona’s top prospect and he’ll likely debut on a scoring line this season.

Arizona bought out veteran centre Antoine Vermette to open up a spot — presumably for Strome, the third overall pick from 2015, though Dvorak centered Mitch Marner’s line for the Memorial Cup champion London Knights and dominated in the face-off dot as well. There could be room for both of them in the lineup, with Strome possessing the higher offensive ceiling. Some see Strome as a potential Calder contender this season.

Crouse, the 11th overall pick in 2015, recently came over in a trade from Florida. He’s a budding power forward and will be battling for a roster spot with Brendan Perlini, a similar player who Arizona selected 12th in 2014.

DeAngelo and Chychrun will both be in tough to crack the defence, considering we’ve already covered the perceived top-six in Ekman-Larsson, Goligoski, Stone, Murphy, Connauton and Schenn. That’s not counting Zbynek Michalek, Jamie McBain and Klas Dahlbeck — all listed on the NHL roster — nor Kyle Wood, another prospect acquisition who could surprise in camp.

The Coyotes are suddenly in good shape on the back end, but DeAngelo has an elite skill-set and was named CHL defenceman of the year in 2015 before racking up 43 points in 69 games as a rookie pro with Tampa Bay’s farm team last season. DeAngelo’s character has been called into question at times, but Arizona seemed to steal him for a second-round pick that turned into fellow defence prospect Libor Hajek during the draft in June.

Chychrun was once touted as a candidate to go first overall in 2016 and was still widely considered a top-10 prospect on draft day, but he was falling hard when the Coyotes traded up to take him 16th overall. Chychrun doesn’t have near the offensive upside of DeAngelo — not many do — but Chychrun should still be a fantasy contributor if and when he sticks.

Chychrun needs to go back to junior if he doesn’t crack Arizona’s roster, but DeAngelo would likely be the first call-up should injuries occur. Expect DeAngelo to make his NHL debut at some point this season and be ready to claim him. If something were to happen to Ekman-Larsson or Goligoski, DeAngelo could take the league by storm like Shayne Gostisbehere did last season when Mark Streit went down in Philadelphia.

Goaltending

This is, by far, the biggest question mark for the Coyotes.

Mike Smith, Arizona Coyotes, NHL

(Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)
Mike Smith will be a boom-or-bust fantasy pick this season and there is no telling which way he’ll go. Somebody will pick him and either reap the rewards or suffer the consequences.

Mike Smith used to be a strong fantasy option, especially as a guy who saw a ton of shots and posted a respectable save percentage. However, he’s struggled with injuries and inconsistencies since the lockout year and is no longer starter-worthy in most fantasy leagues at 34 years old.

Smith now ranks in the bottom third of the league — in the 20 to 30 range, with the likes of fellow veterans Cam Ward and Ryan Miller. You should no longer be pinning your fantasy hopes on these guys in the year 2017.

The Coyotes might not even be pinning their season on Smith. He’ll probably be on a short leash from the outset, with Louis Domingue coming out of nowhere to match Smith’s win total (15) last season, while posting very comparable statistics across the board.

Domingue made 39 appearances to Smith’s 32 last season and had a .912 save percentage and 2.75 goals-against average to Smith’s .916 and 2.64.

The 24-year-old Domingue could be Arizona’s goalie of the future and that torch passing could take place this season even if Smith stays healthy.

In saying that, Smith could rebound to backstop the Coyotes into playoff contention. One way or the other, Arizona is going to need solid goaltending to be in the wild-card mix, but your fantasy team would be wise to shy away from both Smith and Domingue. As third-stringers, they might be worth a late-round flyer, but don’t take them any earlier.

Coyotes Youth Movement in Full Force

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The Arizona Coyotes announced their opening night roster on Tuesday afternoon, and fans around the league can expect the Desert Dogs to ice one of the NHL’s youngest teams in 2016-17:

 

There could be up to four players making their NHL debuts on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, and the most surprising of which is 18-year-old defenseman Jakob Chychrun. Chychrun, who was selected with the #16 overall pick in June, was not initially expected to compete for an NHL job this season. However, the youngster immediately impressed Coyotes brass with his maturity and play on the ice, and, as a result, will be the first rookie to play for the Coyotes in his draft year since Mikkel Boedker and Viktor Tikhonov both did so during the 2008-09 season.

Long-Awaited Debuts

Also making their NHL debuts will be highly-touted forward prospects Christian Dvorak and Dylan Strome. Dvorak, who absolutely destroyed the competition last year with the London Knights, has impressed during the preseason; he had a goal and two assists in four preseason contests and provided the primary assist on Shane Doan’s overtime goal against the Anaheim Ducks on October 1.

Dvorak also has played well in the faceoff circle; he won 39 of the 69 draws he took during preseason action, which was good for a winning percentage of 56.5%. If he’s able to continue winning faceoffs at that rate in the regular season, he could take over as the team’s lead faceoff man after the offseason departures of Antoine Vermette and Boyd Gordon.

Joining Dvorak down the middle is last year’s third overall selection Dylan Strome. Strome, who was reportedly the last player to be cut during last season’s training camp, gave Coyotes management no choice but to keep him on the roster this year as he put up two goals and two assists in seven preseason games.

There’s still some work for Strome to do in the weight room, but there’s no questioning his skill; he appears to be vastly improved in all aspects of his game and could easily find himself in contention for the Calder Trophy at season’s end. The Coyotes made the right choice in keeping him in the NHL rather than sending him back to junior for another campaign with the Erie Otters.

A Big Body

Rounding out the group of three teenagers that will play for the Coyotes this season is big left winger Lawson Crouse, who was acquired from the Florida Panthers over the offseason in the deal that also sent the contract of injured forward Dave Bolland to Arizona. Unlike Dvorak and Strome, Crouse will not be expected to immediately contribute on offense; instead, he’ll likely play on one of Arizona’s checking lines where he’ll be expected to use his 6’4″, 220lb frame to punish the opposition while he gets acclimated to the NHL game.

After a very impressive training camp, 21-year-old rookie center Laurent Dauphin also made the Coyotes opening night roster. Dauphin had a goal in eight games with the Coyotes last season, but, like the other four rookies, will be playing on opening night for the first time.

 

Dauphin’s training camp performance reminded many of the performance that Jordan Martinook turned in last season; both players entered camp without much fanfare, but both gave Coyotes management no choice but to keep them on the roster due to strong preseason showings. Martinook was able to parlay his strong camp into a solid rookie campaign which saw him win the team’s hardest working player award, and Dauphin will be looking to make a similar impact in the NHL this season.

Overall, the Coyotes should be one of the NHL’s most exciting teams to watch this season. They arguably possess their most talented roster in franchise history and are primed to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

Iginla’s No-Trade, Girgensons Trade Calls & More News

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Jarome Iginla would not waive his no-trade clause at the trade deadline last year, but he might be willing to this year. At least, that’s what Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday.

It’s the final season of Iginla’s three-year deal in Colorado and it could be the last of his career, making this his last chance to chase the Cup.

Over the course of his impressive career, he’s won the Memorial Cup, two WHL championships, World Junior gold, World Championship gold and two Olympic golds. But he’s still never won the Stanley Cup. Hoisting the Cup would send him into elite company as a member of the Triple Gold Club.

Though, he may need to hit another gear to wind up on the roster of a contender. Iginla has spent time playing on the Avs fourth line this season, registering just three goals and six points in 26 games so far.

Photo: Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers

Photo: Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers

Getting Calls on Girgensons

The Buffalo Sabres are getting calls on forward Zemgus Girgensons, but they aren’t interested in selling low on him, Friedman reports.

The Latvian forward has posted just two goals and five points this season and has seen his ice time move toward a vanishing point on the distant horizon. He played 10:07 in Friday’s game against the Capitals and that’s the only time he’s been above 10 minutes of ice time in the last seven games. He’s been north of the 14-minute mark just twice all season.

The International Schedule

In the same “Headlines” segment, Friedman outlined an ambitious international schedule the NHL is considering along with early CBA negotiations. The outlined schedule looks like this:

– World Cup in 2020 and 2024
– Olympics in 2018 and 2022
– Two “Ryder Cup” style events in 2019 and 2023
– Preseason games in China as soon as next year (at least two)
– Two regular season games in Europe as soon as next year

Nick Kypreos mentioned the players may be best served to leave escrow negotiations behind. He doesn’t believe it’s a battle they can win.

Iginla OK With Emelin Hit, More Or Less

With 3:28 left in Saturday’s 10-1 drubbing of the Avalanche, Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin threw a big hip check on Colorado’s Joe Colborne. With frustrations running high for the Avs, it turned into a bit of a melee. Iginla went after Emelin but the 30-year-old defender wasn’t going to entertain fisticuffs late in a game that had lost meaning for Montreal.

“At that point of the game when they’re beating us like that, it’s not really a matter of whether it’s clean or not,” Iginla, who was playing in his 1,500th game, told Mike Chambers of The Denver Post. “[I] just don’t think [it’s right]. If I’m going up-over like that with two minutes left and down 10-1, I’d hope guys are coming in [for me]. That’s the way I’ve played and I think that’s the way it should be played.

“They can do the hit if they want,” he continued. “It’s part of the game. But we are allowed to do what we do too. That’s what penalty minutes and stuff are for.”

Landeskog felt similarly, telling reports after the game “sometimes those [hits] go unpenalized and sometimes they get a penalty. I just don’t like how he doesn’t answer to it afterward when he comes over.”

About That Drubbing

The beatdown suffered by the Avs was painful. It’s exceedingly rare to lose by nine and the team knows it all too well.

After the game, Landeskog summed it up nicely: “We got our ass whooped tonight.”

“Obviously, they’re a good team. They’re a fast team and they came out and they played hard and took it to us,” Landeskog said, “but you’ve got to be able to withstand a little bit of pressure as well.”

Oleksiak Hearing

Dallas defenseman Jamie Oleksiak will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Sunday following a high hit on Philadelphia’s Chris VandeVelde.

The league announced the hearing Saturday after Oleksiak appeared to have caught VandeVelde in the head with an elbow in the third period of a 4-2 loss. It pretty clearly looks like the head is the initial point of contact, but Oleksiak is 6-foot-7 and towers above just about everyone in the league. Nonetheless, being tall doesn’t exempt players from having to control their own body.

Tippett Pleased With Crouse

Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett was pleased with the effort he got from rookie Lawson Crouse in a 4-1 win over the Predators on Saturday.

Crouse assisted on Alex Goligoski’s opening goal through sheer hustle and outmuscling Yannick Weber behind the net. He also put three shots on goal and dropped the gloves with P.K. Subban in 12:34 of ice time.

“He’s a real good player and is going to become a better player,” Tippett said. “But that was the best game he’s played in the NHL so far.”

Rookie Brendan Perlini scored his first NHL goal Saturday as well, with an assist from rookie Jakob Chychrun.

Rookie Laurent Dauphin also tallied a goal on the day he was recalled to the NHL. In all, Arizona rookies combined for five points in the team’s first game without Max Domi. “That’s we’re hoping for,” Tippett said. “We need to get these young players up and going, as well as have our veterans kind of lead the charge for us.”

Sidney Crosby

Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Odds & Ends

– The NHL concussion spotters continue to do their job without regard for who the player in question is. Saturday, they pulled Sidney Crosby from a game against the Lightning after he was run into the boards by Tampa’s Luke Witkowski. He returned to the game after going through protocol.

Crosby finished the game with two goals and once again leads the league with 20 goals.

– The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially activated Josh Leivo and added him to the team’s 23-man roster, reports Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston. He’s been designated a non-roster injured player for the entirety of the season so far.

– Additionally, Antoine Bibeau will get the start in net for the Leafs. It will be his NHL debut. In 13 starts with AHL Toronto, Bibeau has posted a .907 save percentage with a 6-5-3 record.

Younger Players Lift Coyotes

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The speed and energy finally arrived. At least, this was for one game, and decision-makers of the Arizona Coyotes hope the effort foreshows a successful path.

For a team mired in a six-game losing streak and displaying difficulty putting the puck in the net, a four-goal outburst against the Nashville Predators Saturday came as a welcomed relief. The issue now: can the Coyotes maintain this burst?

That may be easier said than done because Arizona departs the desert for a challenging four-game road trip. For now, the success of an impressive 4-1 win over Nashville before 13,820 in Gila River Arena shows promise.

There are two reasons for the optimism. First, the speed and puck management displayed against the Preds was missing for the vast majority of games. Plus, two of the four goals scored were delivered by players in which a solid transition season was expected. A third tally demonstrated the need for speed and the ability to force plays.

Big Goal Outburst

Brendan Perlini

Brendan Perlini, at the junior level (Terry Wilson /OHL Images)

Goals from former first-round pick Brendan Perlini and second-round pick Laurent Dauphin were certainly appreciated. More importantly, the Coyotes picked up four goals in this one, and that’s the most they scored in a game since Arizona defeated the Avs in Denver, 4-2, on Nov. 8.

“You never see it coming, but you hope,” coach Dave Tippett told The Hockey Writers. “The young players have been moving in the right direction. All of them, from where they were for the first five games to where they are between 25 and 30 now, that’s just the evolution.”

Perhaps the biggest encouragement came from left wing Lawson Crouse, picked up from the Panthers in a trade this past offseason. Despite just one goal and one assist in his first 22 games with Arizona, Tippett left Crouse on the ice to grow. A significant step forward was realized Saturday on the first Arizona goal.

That’s when Crouse barreled down the slot, split the Nashville defense and found an open Alex Goligoski in the right face-off circle. After Crouse delivered a sharp pass to his stick, Goligoski fired his first goal of the season past Pekka Rinne, and the Coyotes were off to an early lead past the midway point of the opening period.

Perlini and Dauphin then picked up the torch and veteran Martin Hanzal closed the scoring just past the midway point of the final period.

“It’s always nice when you can split the defense and the puck just ends up on your stick,” Crouse said. “Obviously, we had a good start but it was kind of just building off that. I think it was an all-around effort. It feels good to get the full two points this game. In the past, we’ve been chipping in here or there, but that’s not good enough in this league. It was great to get the full two points (Saturday).”

Christian Dvorak, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Max Domi (Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)

Christian Dvorak, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Max Domi (Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)

How the Immediate Future Plays Out

For now, the Coyotes hope to build off the speed and acumen of younger players.

With Max Domi now on the injured reserved list, because of a facial injury suffered in a fight last Thursday night, Perlini, Crouse, Christian Dvorak, Anthony Duclair, Jakob Chychrun and Dauphin all have to pick up their teammates. That tough stretch of four straight now on the road begins Monday night in Pittsburgh and then carries into Detroit, Toronto and Minnesota. The Coyotes then come off this trip to face the Flames at home Dec. 19, and Tippett and others hope the trust and confidence placed in these players pays dividends.

 

Coyotes Need to Push Harder

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Fearing trepidation and facing the best players in the world, Arizona Coyotes’ goal tender Mike Smith told The Hockey Writers during the recent All-Star festivities that he would probably need a hug in support.

That was Smith’s desire, and he pointed to the caliber of competition in last Sunday’s All-Star game in the Staples Center as a good reason. After acquitting himself well and drawing popular praise for his effort from the Los Angeles Kings‘ crowd, Smith informed listeners that all was good and a reassuring hug was not necessary.

Perhaps what Smith should have asked for was an apology from referee Chris Rooney, who called a questionable tripping penalty against Martin Hanzal at 16:41 of the final period Tuesday night. That led to Jake Muzzin’s power play goal with 1:30 left in the game, and a 3-2, Kings’ victory before 11,577 at Gila River Arena. The loss snapped the Coyotes’ modest three-game winning streak, and the team learned a valuable lesson.

“(The Kings) pushed in the third and we did not push back,” forward Lawson Crouse told The Hockey Writers. “I thought we played a hard, physical game against a tough team. We created some good chances, but, like I said, we didn’t push back when we needed.”

Martin Hanzal

Martin Hanzal (Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports)

Coming out of the All-Star break, the Coyotes, as a team, possessed a high confidence level. That’s an important variable of their game missing for most of the season. That aspect of team play was especially evident from the fourth line.

The unit of Jordan Martinook, a left-handed shot playing on the right wing, Ryan White at center and Crouse on the left wing, accounted for both Arizona goals. When White scored at 18:30 of the second period, that was his second goal in his last three games and three points in his last three games.

“We’re going into games now expecting to win each time,” White said. “What we came away from this one was that when we stay with teams, we’ll be okay.”

Coyotes Need “To Push Back”

Dave Tippett

Photo: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The term “push back” was heard more than once in the Coyotes’ dressing room and from coach Dave Tippett in his post-game remarks to the media. What remains encouraging is the way the Coyotes are approaching each game. Their resolve is there and the confidence level appears in place.

“For us to be successful, everyone has to compete,” Tippett said. “We have some momentum from the past few weeks. At this point, we need to recognize what we did. When we get pushed, we have to respond and push back.”

What is necessary is to maintain the high level of play. Coming into Tuesday night’s home game against the Kings, Arizona was riding that three-game winning streak, and represented the longest of the season. As well, the Kings were riding a crest.

After losing four straight from Jan. 16 to Jan. 23, the Kings captured road wins over the Devils and Hurricanes. The Coyotes lack of a strong, third period allowed the Kings back in this one and helped Los Angeles gain its third straight victory.

Now, the Coyotes must find a way to respond and keep out of the penalty box during critical times.

Strome Leading Roadrunners to Outstanding Start

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After missing the playoffs during their inaugural 2016-17 campaign, the Tucson Roadrunners are off to one of the best starts of any AHL team this year – they’re 10-3-2-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL) through 16 games and, as of this writing, own the best record (by points percentage) in the league’s Western Conference.

Strome Hitting His Stride

As if often the case with teams near the top of their leagues, multiple players have made significant impacts with the Roadrunners this season. However, no one in the AHL has been better in 2017-18 than Dylan Strome. After being reassigned to the Roadrunners following two underwhelming games with the Coyotes, the 20-year-old center has rebounded big-time in the Old Pueblo. Through 15 games with Arizona’s AHL affiliate, Strome has eight goals, 18 assists, and a plus-13 plus/minus rating. He leads the league in scoring despite missing the first handful of games and is averaging an AHL-best 1.73 points-per-game.

Some might have thought that Strome would be disappointed to be playing in the AHL after failing to hold onto a spot in Arizona’s lineup for the second consecutive season, but a quick look at the statsheet shows that just hasn’t been the case. Strome has fully embraced being in Tucson and is working hard to improve and return to the NHL.

“I’m getting the opportunity here to produce, to be on a power play unit, a penalty kill unit and get a lot of minutes,” Strome told Alex Kinkopf of the official Roadrunners’ website on Nov. 21. “I’m enjoying my time here, I’m enjoying the team winning, and I’m really working hard. We’re building a culture around here that’s based around the expectancy to win, so it’s been a lot of fun.”

Dylan Strome, Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes forward Dylan Strome. (Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)

While there is no doubting Strome’s talents with the puck, there have been questions about his skating since the day he was drafted. However, it’s clear that the youngster is spending a considerable amount of time working on this aspect of his game in the AHL.

“I feel like when I have the puck I’ve had speed, and I’m creating plays quicker. My linemates play fast, and I’m used to slowing the game down,” Strome said. “But now I’m focusing on keeping my game going, keeping the puck moving, keep the game moving fast and in front of me, and with my linemates and the way that they skate, I think I have to do that, and I think I’m adjusting to it.”

If Strome is able to continue having success with the Roadrunners, it’s going to be awfully hard for the Coyotes to keep him in the AHL much longer.

Don’t Sleep on Merkley or Crouse

Strome isn’t the only former first-round pick having success in Tucson, though. Not by a long shot. Lawson Crouse and Nick Merkley, who were selected 11th and 30th overall in 2015, respectively, are both making big strides with the Roadrunners. Crouse has eight points in 11 games since being reassigned to the AHL on Oct. 25, while Merkley is second only to Strome among all Roadrunners skaters in scoring with 21 points (11 goals and 10 assists).

Seeing Merkley have success in Tucson has to be a relief for Coyotes’ general manager John Chayka. Merkley has had some bad luck with injuries since being drafted – he injured his collarbone during training camp in 2015, then tore his ACL during a WHL contest in Feb. 2016. Now fully healthy, Merkley has finally been able to showcase his talents and has emerged as one of the better young forwards in the organization.

Crouse is also taking advantage of his increased role in the AHL. Buried in the Coyotes’ bottom-six for most of his NHL career so far, Crouse has struggled on the offensive end of the ice, as he’s recorded just 12 points in 79 career games with the Coyotes. In Tucson, though, Crouse is playing with Strome and Merkley on the Roadrunners’ top line and is putting on display the offensive abilities he flashed in the OHL, where he averaged better than a point per game for the Kingston Frontenacs over the course of his final two junior seasons.

If Crouse can develop the offensive side of his game this season in Tucson, he could very well become the productive NHL power forward that the Florida Panthers expected him to become when they selected him 11th overall in 2015.

Winning ‘Golden Knights Style’

While offensive contributions from Strome, Merkley, and others have been a big reason for Tucson’s success this season, their solid goaltending has also been a major factor. Due to the Coyotes’ well-documented goaltending struggles as well as Antti Raanta’s inability to stay healthy, Hunter Miska, Marek Langhamer, and Adin Hill have all, at one point or another, spent time in the NHL this season.

Marek Langhamer Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes goalie Marek Langhamer (Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)

This instability at the goaltending position hasn’t slowed the Roadrunners down any, though. All three goaltenders have winning records and Hill is the only one of the trio to have suffered a regulation loss this season. Combined, the netminders have a stellar 10-3-2-1 record with a 2.58 GAA and a .908 SV%. Langhamer is the statistical leader of the pack with a 1.59 GAA and a .947 SV%, while Miska boasts a perfect 6-0-0 record in eight appearances.

Arizona Coyotes goalie Adin Hill

Arizona Coyotes goalie Adin Hill (Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports)

For now, with Raanta injured and Langhamer filling in for him up in Glendale, it’ll be up to Hill and Miska to hold down the fort in Tucson. So far, they’ve been up to the task – Hill shut out the San Diego Gulls on Nov. 22, and Miska picked up a win over the Stockton Heat on Nov. 24.

With the Coyotes struggling out of the gate this season, the success of the Roadrunners has been one of the few positives to take out of this season in Arizona. Sure, there’s a good chance that the Roadrunners could regress if they lose Strome, Crouse, or Merkley to the NHL at some point this season, but, since the Coyotes’ last game is scheduled for Apr. 7, it’s likely that Tucson’s big guns will be back in the AHL in time for the start of the Calder Cup Playoffs during the week of Apr. 16. Keep an eye on Tucson – if the Coyotes decide to keep their youngsters in the AHL for the entire season, the Roadrunners will keep the league’s scoreboard operators busy all season long.

The post Strome Leading Roadrunners to Outstanding Start appeared first on The Hockey Writers.

Potential Bruins Trade Partners: Arizona Coyotes

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Last week, I mentioned that the New York Islanders appeared to be a tailor-made partner should Boston look to make the increasingly-rare, in-season “hockey trade.” Should the Bruins instead opt for the more common negotiations with an established “seller,” look no further than the perennial “sellers from the cellar” Arizona Coyotes.

Why the Coyotes?

As mentioned above in my pseudo-clever play-on-words, the Arizona Coyotes figure to once again be watching the playoffs from the comfort of their living rooms. A spirited stretch of hockey (5-3-3 in their last 11) has taken the Desert Dogs out of the league’s basement and into….30th place out of 31 teams. With a first-year head coach, the league’s second-youngest roster and five-consecutive seasons without playoff hockey it was never about this season for the ‘Yotes.

Or was it?

The offseason additions of Derek Stepan, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Antti Raanta and Jason Demers signaled, at the very least, a desire to compete. Perhaps an appearance in the playoffs was internally deemed a bit of a pipe-dream. However, the moves illustrate an intent to cobble-together a roster that was capable of taking the next step, out of the basement and toward the ultimate goal of relevance.

Derek Stepan

Derek Stepan (Photo Credit: Troy Parla)

The moves were likely indicative of larger issues faces the club than even its own lack of success. As the most unstable franchise in the league by a country mile, the ongoings sagas of changes in ownership, unsuccessful attempts to secure funding for a new arena and annual loss of revenue, in conjunction with a series of woeful teams have left the organization and city in a lurch.

The buzzards will be circling the Coyotes leading up to the deadline. The Bruins would be well-served to be among them.

Note: The following is purely speculative. Let’s have fun.

Niklas Hjalmarsson

Niklas Hjalmarsson spent eight full seasons as a key cog on the Chicago Blackhawks’ back-end. The now-30-year-old excelled in a shut-down role with the ‘Hawks, playing a largely unheralded role on three Stanley Cup winning teams before becoming the organization’s most recent cap casualty this past offseason.

Shipped to Arizona in exchange for fellow defenseman Connor Murphy and center Laurent Dauphin in a pre-draft shocker, Hjalmarsson has been one of many ‘Yotes whose season hasn’t unfurled according to plan. His 13 games-missed to date have already equaled his career high, and a player once insulated by the presence of Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Johnny Oduya Corey Crawford, and an all-star cast of forwards has found himself surrounded and isolated by inferior talent.

Niklas Hjalmarsson

Niklas Hjalmarsson(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Nevertheless, he still grades out as a legitimate second-pairing defender. His 40 blocked shots in 17 games (2.35 per contest) put him on par with the league’s best in that category. He’s a gritty, tenacious defender, capable of logging big minutes in a shut-down role. He’s a battle-tested winner; the kind whose low-maintenance style of play and attention to detail can fly under the radar until the playoffs commence.

Though he’s never been much of a point producer, he serves as the perfect complement to that style of defenseman, making him a candidate to ride shotgun alongside Charlie McAvoy. Should the Bruins opt instead to continue riding the McAvoy-Zdeno Chara pairing (which has been marvelous of late) Hjalmarsson could unite with Brandon Carlo, giving the Bruins another formidable pairing that figures to yield few quality chances nightly.

The left-shot Swede’s arrival would allow Torey Krug to slide back onto the third-pairing, where he can receive the favorable assignments and start-zones befitting his skill-set.

Cost of Acquisition

Fortunately for us, there’s a blueprint just six-months-old for comparison’s sake.

Murphy and Dauphin were first and second-round picks (respectively) in the 2011 and 2013 drafts. The 24 and 22-year-olds currently grade as a four/five defenseman and bottom six forward.

Connor Murphy Blackhawks

Connor Murphy (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Murphy is currently averaging less than 15 minutes of ice time per contest, with four points to his name. Dauphin has 10 points across 19 contests with Rockford at the AHL level. Murphy has four years remaining on a six-year, $23 million deal, while Dauphin’s ELC expires at year’s end.

As such, replicating this value shouldn’t be too difficult for a Boston organization loaded with prospects and depth.

The Coyotes would likely ask for a defenseman prospect in return; perhaps Ryan Lindgren would satiate GM John Chayka’s desire. Frank Vatrano or Jesse Gabrielle seem likely candidates to round out the deal as Dauphin’s comparable. Additional mid-tier prospects could be necessary to complete the hypothetical trade.

Bear in mind that future draft picks (specifically a second-round selection) could substitute for the aforementioned defenseman prospect.

Hjalmarsson himself carries a cap hit of $4.1 million this season and next, making him more than a rental and, because of that, marginally more expensive. Furthermore, he carries a modified NTC/NMC, which entails a 10-team trade list.

Niklas Hjalmarsson Coyotes

Niklas Hjalmarsson, Arizona Coyotes, Oct. 30, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Whether or not he could be coaxed into joining the Bruins remains to be seen. Should joining another Original Six franchise be amenable, his services would go a long way toward bolstering Boston’s blue line without clogging-up the pipeline beyond next season.

Zac Rinaldo

Just kidding. Move along.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

This is the “pie-in-the-sky, wouldn’t it be nice” inclusion to the list.

Despite consistent assertions from John Chayka that he has no desire to trade the 2015 All-Star, it ultimately may not be entirely up to him.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

I’m sure that prior to last season Joe Sakic had no desire to trade Matt Duchene. But a struggling franchise, swirling rumors, and a noticeably unhappy player forced his hand into trading the 2009 Lottery Pick.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Duchene may play different positions, but have virtually everything else in common. The two were Lottery Picks in their draft years, and were viewed then (and later on) as franchise cornerstones. They’ve both played in All-Star Games and the Olympics. They’ve both been stuck on woeful franchises during their still-young careers. Perhaps most importantly, they’re both on the penultimate year of their contracts.

“OEL” figures to receive a hefty increase from his current deal which pays him $5.5 million annually. The 26-year-old has eclipsed 20 goals from the blue line twice in his career – that’s rarified air. He’s an elite puck-mover who also manages to make few mistakes. He’s a brilliant, effortless skater while also possessing great size at six-foot-two, 200 pounds.

There’s little doubt that Arizona would move Heaven and Earth to retain him as their franchise cornerstone. Whether he wishes to continue to toil in a market known more for its financial woes and poor attendance than success (one playoff appearance during his seven-year career) is another story altogether.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)

So, rather than playing “will they, won’t they” regarding Boston’s potential interest, I instead shift focus to “could they?” As in, does Boston have the pieces to facilitate this potential blockbuster?

Yes, they do.

Cost of Acquisition

A lot. As in, “You know Boston’s excellent and exciting pipeline? Say goodbye.”

Again, this is not a move that I am personally advocating, so save your comments regarding my sanity. This is merely an examination of what it would cost in terms of both pieces going to Arizona as well as Ekman-Larsson’s extension. Which, for the record, would be an absolute must for any trade to transpire.

The Bruins would likely have to part ways with multiple defenseman prospects for starters. Two of Jakub Zboril, Jeremy Lauzon, Urho Vaakanainen and Ryan Lindgren would head for the desert as the Coyotes attempt to make up for the loss of “OEL” at the position.

Jakub Zboril

Jakub Zboril (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

Don Sweeney would also likely be forced to dip into his pipeline at the center position to account for the fact that the Coyotes organization hasn’t had a top-flight center since they were in Winnipeg and Thomas Steen was centering a young Teemu Selanne. Derek Stepan is a quality player, but grades out more as a second-line pivot. Plus, the guy could use some help at the position. So say goodbye to one of Ryan Donato, Trent Frederic or Jack Studnicka.

Finally, a cornucopia of draft picks would fly out the door as well. At least one first-round pick, if not two would be included, not to mention one or two second-round selections.

After all of that is said and done, commit six-to-eight years at $7-8 million annually for his contract extension.

Trading for Oliver Ekman-Larsson figures to be exorbitant to the point of being prohibitive. Regardless, the thought of a blue line featuring him, Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo for years to come (not to mention Torey Krug and whatever prospects are left) is enough to make any Bruins fan salivate at the possibilities.

Lawson Crouse

This one is based significantly more on a personal “want” than a team “need.” But anyone who has ever seen Lawson Crouse play can attest to this – the kid was born to wear Black and Gold.

As of now, the only notable affiliation Crouse has with the Boston Bruins is being on the receiving end of a devastating Charlie McAvoy hit  during a summertime exhibition tilt between Canada and the United States. It’s a moment Crouse would like to forget, if the check itself didn’t already do the trick.

The six-foot-four, 220 pound left wing plays a bruising, physical game. He’s equally unafraid to both finish checks with authority as well as “answer the bell,” should his opponents take umbrage at the hit. It’s a rare trait in an era of NHL hockey chock-full of speed and skill, but growing increasingly deficient in accountability.

Lawson Crouse

Lawson Crouse (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

But he’s more than just a bruiser, or a thug on skates; he carries quite the pedigree as well.

As the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, Crouse has the tools to be an excellent power forward. He’s as strong as an ox, and knows his bread will be buttered in front of the net and in the corners; he’s a worker, with good hands.

He may not skate like Chris Kreider, but for a man of his size he still grades out as a plus-skater. He received commendations in his draft year for his attention to detail, particularly defensively.

To date, the 20-year-old has compiled five goals and seven assists over 79 contests with the Coyotes.

Cost of Acquisition

It’s unlikely that Crouse lives up to his draft spot (he was considered by many at the time to have been a reach), but there is still ample time for the Ontario-native to develop into a forward capable of contributing regularly from a team’s second or third line.

Halfway through his ELC and just two years removed from his draft year, it’s not as though Arizona will just be giving him away. The impetus to trade Crouse may not exist, unless Chayka feels his value will only deteriorate further as time transpires. As of now, his pedigree and contract may be propping up his value.

Above all else, Chayka is an analytics guy. It was his work with the analytics firm “Stathletes” which made him the youngest GM in NHL history.

Lawson Crouse’s analytics weren’t his friend in his draft year, and the numbers are even less kind now. It’s also important to note that Crouse was drafted by Florida GM Dale Tallon, and subsequently traded to Arizona.

A solid offer from Don Sweeney could persuade Chayka to pull the trigger. Perhaps an offer of Austin Czarnik (Corsi and Fenwick darling buried on the depth chart), Frank Vatrano and a mid-round pick would suffice.

Austin Czarnik

Austin Czarnik (Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports)

His acquisition would bring immediate malevolence and toughness to the organization. Furthermore, the team is under no obligation to carry him on the NHL roster while they foster his development, hopefully into a middle six forward.

Fourth-liners Tim Schaller and Riley Nash are both slated to hit unrestricted free agency at year’s end. Should either or both play their way out of Boston, Crouse could be banging bodies on Causeway very shortly.

Matt Beleskey

Things haven’t gone Matt Beleskey’s way over the last 14 months. Once signed to replace Milan Lucic, Beleskey has since lost the ability to crack an injury-decimated lineup. Some writers made themselves look foolish in believing in a bounce-back 2017-18 campaign. It didn’t happen, and Boston is on the hook for this year and two more at 3.8 million annually. After all, who would take him at this point?

Maybe Arizona. And no one else.

Matt Beleskey

Matt Beleskey (Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports)

Blessed with a league-leading $16.3 million in cap space, Arizona could be willing to swallow the remainder of Beleskey’s contract should he be paired with a high draft pick or prospect in a lopsided trade. They don’t figure to be competing anytime soon, could use an additional future asset, and currently employ Zac Rinaldo. So, it’s not as though his style and level of effectiveness would be terribly out of place.

With Jimmy Hayes and Dennis Seidenberg’s buyout hits still on the books for this season and next, a Beleskey buyout is not an option.

In fact, there are no other options at this juncture for Boston than Arizona. So if Don Sweeney should decide that an extra $3.8 million in cap space for the next two seasons is more valuable than, say, a second-round pick, he knows who to call.

Or, he could talk to him face-to-face when the Coyotes visit the Bruins on Thursday.

The post Potential Bruins Trade Partners: Arizona Coyotes appeared first on The Hockey Writers.


Strome Leading Roadrunners to Outstanding Start

Coyotes Score 3 in the Third Period to Beat Ducks 4-2

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — Christian Dvorak triggered a three-goal third period by scoring in the opening minute, Antti Raanta stopped 27 shots and the Arizona Coyotes rallied for a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. Lawson Crouse scored in the f...

Kessel, Hall Score Twice Each, Lead Coyotes Over Sharks 6-3

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — Phil Kessel and Taylor Hall each scored twice to lift the Arizona Coyotes over the San Jose Sharks 6-3 Tuesday night. Lawson Crouse and Conor Garland also scored, and Garland and Derek Stepan had three points each. Arizona ended a thr...

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