NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Todd Fedoruk, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Minnesota Wild)
David Hale, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Calgary Flames)
Jeff Hoggan, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Boston Bruins)
Olli Jokinen, C (Acquired in a trade with the Florida Panthers)
Brian McGrattan, RW (Acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators)
Garth Murray, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Florida Panthers)
Kurt Sauer, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Colorado Avalanche)
NOTABLE LOSSES
David Aebischer, G (Signed with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League)
Keith Ballard, D (Traded to the Florida Panthers)
Brendan Bell, D (Signed as a free agent with the Ottawa Senators)
Nick Boynton, D (Traded to the Florida Panthers)
Marcel Hossa, LW (Signed with Dynamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League)
Niko Kapanen, C (Signed with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League)
Mathias Tjarnqvist, LW (Signed with Rogle BK of the Swedish Elite League)
Radim Vrbata, RW (Signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Craig Weller, RW (Signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Wild)
Blake Wheeler, RW (Signed as a free agent with the Boston Bruins)
Mike York, LW (Signed as a free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets)
2007-08 Season Finish: 4th Pacific Division, 12 Western Conference, 83 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: Did Not Make Playoffs
2008-09 Prediction: 4th Pacific Division, 11th Western Conference
The Phoenix Coyotes have been a rebuilding team for the last few seasons, opting to rebuild through their prospects instead of free agency. The Coyotes have drafted several quality players who will help make the team more competitive, though it still could take a few seasons as these players gradually improve. The team greatly improved their offense over the summer by acquiring Olli Jokinen in a trade. Jokinen brings much needed offensive experience and leadership to the young Coyotes team. Team captain Shane Doan provides lots of toughness and offensive skills to the team, while Steven Reinprecht brings good vision, passing skills, and depth to the forward lines. Young forwards Peter Mueller, Kyle Turris, and Martin Hanzal will look to improve upon their impressive seasons in 2007-08 and will likely be among the Coyotes' high scorers during 2008-09. The Coyotes will have lots of toughness on their forward lines this season. Daniel Carcillo and newcomers Todd Fedoruk, Brian McGrattan, Jeff Hoggan, and Garth Murray give the Coyotes some of the most aggressive forwards in the Western Conference and will ensure that their young players get lots of protection on the ice. Enver Lisin, Daniel Winnik, and Joel Perrault will also give the Coyotes plenty of offensive depth on their checking lines next season. The Coyotes have plenty of talented prospects who will look to earn roster spots on the team at training camp, including Kevin Porter, Brett MacLean, Mikkel Boedker, and Viktor Tikhonov. While the Coyotes have lots of promising, young players on the team, the addition of a veteran forward or two for depth could be beneficial to the team.
The acquisition of Olli Jokinen cost the Coyotes the services of promising Keith Ballard and veteran Nick Boynton, but the team still has plenty of quality defensemen for the upcoming season. Ed Jovanovski and Derek Morris bring lots of offensive skill, veteran leadership, and toughness to the Coyotes defense. Kurt Sauer gives the Coyotes a physical and gritty player on the blueline, while Zbynek Michalek and David Hale provide the team with decent defensive depth. Youngsters Keith Yandle and Matt Jones provide the Coyotes with lots of promising offensive talent and defensive skills, respectively. Prospects Jonas Ahnelov, Nick Ross, and Sean Zimmerman will look to make the team at training camp on their promising defensive talent.
Ilya Bryzgalov begins his first full season as the Coyotes' starting goaltender and will look to have a fine season in 2008-09. The Coyotes' improved their play after acquiring Bryzgalov off waivers from Anaheim last season, showing more confidence on the ice with an experienced goalie in net. Mikael Tellqvist will likely be the backup for the Coyotes this season. His fine goaltending skills make him a good choice for the backup role. Al Montoya, who tried unsuccessfully for years to crack the New York Rangers lineup with his goaltending talent, could challenge Tellqvist for the backup role at training camp.
STRENGTHS
- Lots of promising, young offensive talent.
- Very physical team at both ends of the ice.
- Capable and experienced goaltending.
WEAKNESSES
- Could use another veteran forward or two for depth.
- Need more offense on defense.
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