Coyotes biggest concern

Going in the season, what IYO is the Coyotes greatest concern? The goaltender situation, lack of scoring in the preseason, young defense, or something else?

My biggest concern is the offense. I think we'll be ok on defense and goaltending, if anything the goaltending may bail out the defense until they get their feet under them. I just see us losing the close games, or not being able to compete in a goal-fest. Beyond the homer line, we need another line to show some chemistry.

I don't expect much help from management for the team this year with the CBA expiration looming. They addressed some of their needs since the past trade deadline, and I think all moves made this year will be to rid themselves of payroll or unneccesary players.

I don't expect to see much of the farm team this season either. Spiller & Taffe are about as far as we'll see for a youth movement on our team this year. Sjostrom could be recalled if the offense is that anemic and he is hot in the AHL.

Biggest concerns in areas:

Goaltending: How long will Burke play for the Coyotes due to trade or injury?

Defense: Do we have enough to help out our goaltending?

Offense: Scoring.

But our biggest concern right now is our blueline.

1. Defense: see eye for detailed explanation

2. Finding a second line that can score consistantly

3. Improvement on special teams

4. Trading a goalie

5. Checking on best hotel rooms, where to eat etc before the next draft

Personally I think the biggest problem in Phoenix is offence. A lack of a true #1 scorer hurts. The goalie situation is a problem because of the dry goalie market. As far as Defence problem goes..I cheer for the Leafs so *ahem* im hardly one to critacize

Offense. See last year, see pre-season. Yikes!

These rebuilding years be hard.

This team will be streaky just like the past. Goals in bunches and then the dry spell, just when you think they are going somewhere.

Personally I think they will be better than last years squad, how can they not, but not as good as 2 years ago. Kolanos, Tanabi, Cleary, Hrdyna should add some excitement to the offense.

where did all the scoring go????
the preseason #'s are pathetic.
taffe sent down??not ready or might score a goal..seems strange our top prospect can't break into this line-up.

i think that the 8 20 goal scorers on this team will do fine
the d has shown more than expected but will be the weak zone in the end.
heaven help burke if this group plays without passion or burke gets injured and we start a repeat of last year with the unreliable boosh and inconsistent zac.

Going in the season, what IYO is the Coyotes greatest concern? The goaltender situation, lack of scoring in the preseason, young defense, or something else?

All of the above, really. This team has a variety of problem areas:

Lack of scoring (historically).

Young defensive corps without true veteran leadership.

Below average special teams (a power play that really 'blows' and should therefore be called weak play, or something other than POWER PLAY).

I try not to worry too much about the goaltending situation. IF Burke stays healthy and steals games by the dozen, this team might surprise us all. If he's traded/injured or shows signs of aging early on, this season will be a complete write off on the ice. That, however might be a blessing in disguise in form of a very high draft pick in the next entry draft...

I always try to stay positive and I have acknowledged before, that I believe this team is headed in the right direction at this time. However, I am not a 'homer', who'll sugar coat all shortcomings and be talking about the playoffs, when there is nothing to base this hope on. Some posters have pointed out how the dogs will win more faceoffs due to the new centers on the team. Yeah, that's probably true, but will it mean more wins and less losses? Greater depth and four more competitive lines will give BF more options. Yeah, maybe, but this team still lacks a true #1 line. The homer line is a great second line, but they are no true game breakers. They will once again be the guys expected to provide the timely scoring when a game is on the edge. With their great two way game and defensive capabilities they are a great line, but if consistently iced as a first line, they have their limit.

Players like Cleary or Tanabe, who were brought in during the summer, are projects at this point. Their former teams had seen great potential in them at some point, but gave up, when they traded them to Phx. I hope they will turn their careers around and show that they belong.

With the season getting under way tomorrow, I am hoping for a Coyotes team that will play with heart, grit and speed. If the effort is 100% every night, I can live with a sub.500 season while focusing on the long range goal - A dinasty after the CBA lockout...:yo:

Dancin' Gabe rules! :bow:

Going in the season, what IYO is the Coyotes greatest concern? The goaltender situation, lack of scoring in the preseason, young defense, or something else?

Can I add 'Coaching' just to be a nuisance? :)

Goaltending isn't really a problem at this time, imo. The situation will resolve itself oneway or another sooner or later...

Defense is certainly a big question mark. I haven't gotten a chance to actually see the team play, so I'll wait to give a definative commentary on them, other than to say that trading your #1,2 and 5 defensemen in one offseason and replacing them with Tanabe and Hulse is suspect until they prove otherwise.

Scoring might take care of itself if we had a new coach (-ing philosophy) installed. However, I think the collection of people capable of scoring 15-20 goals is not a bad idea overall. Again, whether it works or not remains to be seen. Nagy seems to be the only one in my mind capable of scoring over 25 (and no, I don't want to hear about Doan's breakout year again either ;) )

Really, bottom line is there are too many question marks about the team from the get go. If a team had one question mark like the defensive corps, you assume they'll overcome, but with this many question marks, it's an act of faith to assume that they will all be resolved satisfactorily.
It will be interesting to see how the season goes...