Anaheim I don't see making the playoffs seeing that organization is a mess right now and could end up losing Ryan, Getzlaf, and Perry before the start of next season.
Dallas I could see getting in if the players they got in the off-season are good enough to help them out later in the season. They are be a borderline team at best.
San Jose took a turn for the worst last season which surprised many and they could go wither ways towards making the playoffs or not.
LA is a weird team with Jeff Carter being a difference maker between a team that is a real cup contender with him but only a cup contender on paper without him.
As long as the Coyotes do thier thing, a playoff spot and a division crown will be ours again.
The word finally is not necessary. This organization has FINALLY learned to do it right. He's right in track. I expect some games in the nhl this season, probably a split next season, and full time show the season after.
The word finally is not necessary. This organization has FINALLY learned to do it right. He's right in track. I expect some games in the nhl this season, probably a split next season, and full time show the season after.
Here, here...hopefully the days of Phoenix rushing prospects are over.
Anaheim I don't see making the playoffs seeing that organization is a mess right now and could end up losing Ryan, Getzlaf, and Perry before the start of next season.
Dallas I could see getting in if the players they got in the off-season are good enough to help them out later in the season. They are be a borderline team at best.
San Jose took a turn for the worst last season which surprised many and they could go wither ways towards making the playoffs or not.
LA is a weird team with Jeff Carter being a difference maker between a team that is a real cup contender with him but only a cup contender on paper without him.
As long as the Coyotes do thier thing, a playoff spot and a division crown will be ours again.
Anaheim had one of the best records post All-Star Game, so I don't know if that is a valid statement.
Dallas was close to getting in last year, and by all indications, have gotten rid of the players that they did not want through the re-building process. Could go either way.
San Jose's issue last year was the PK. They hired an assistant coach who will impact that greatly.
LA has depth, solid goaltending, and solid defense - like the Coyotes.
One thing that was not brought up was simply getting back into the course of play. Even in the opening 10 mins of this LA-Chicago game, there are many plays that have happened where players weren't lined up right, bad passes, etc. With no preseason, it will take a few games to jump start the play and positioning. Teams that take the fewest amount of games to get back into it will be the most likely to mkae the playoffs. An extra 2-3 games to work kinks out could result in missing the playoffs by 1 or 2 points.
I think the Coyotes are better equipped to handle this season than most teams, but again, there is going to be a far different season than I think most would predict. In fact, I'd be more likely to think that LA and NJ won't even make the playoffs.
Anaheim had one of the best records post All-Star Game, so I don't know if that is a valid statement.
Yea but it is what the team does during the entire season that determines if they will make the playoffs or not. This team has a organization issue since they won the cup in 07 desite making the playoffs a few times afterwards. Bobby Ryan right isn't too happy there right now because of how his name keeps getting thrown around by the organization as far as trades are concerned.
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Dallas was close to getting in last year, and by all indications, have gotten rid of the players that they did not want through the re-building process. Could go either way.
Of course.
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San Jose's issue last year was the PK. They hired an assistant coach who will impact that greatly.
The PK was part of the reason but San Jose also had trouble trying to replace Heatley who was their best player the 2 seasons they went to the conference finals before t 11-12 season.
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LA has depth, solid goaltending, and solid defense - like the Coyotes.
Without Jeff Carter, the Kings were going to fall short of the playoffs last season with high expectations. It could be the cup hangover gets to them but we will see.
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One thing that was not brought up was simply getting back into the course of play. Even in the opening 10 mins of this LA-Chicago game, there are many plays that have happened where players weren't lined up right, bad passes, etc. With no preseason, it will take a few games to jump start the play and positioning. Teams that take the fewest amount of games to get back into it will be the most likely to mkae the playoffs. An extra 2-3 games to work kinks out could result in missing the playoffs by 1 or 2 points.
Could be and yes the Kings look like a mess in that game seeing that Chicago is shown more they are ready with how well Towes, Kane, and Hossa are playing. Hopefully we are ready starting tonight.
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I think the Coyotes are better equipped to handle this season than most teams, but again, there is going to be a far different season than I think most would predict. In fact, I'd be more likely to think that LA and NJ won't even make the playoffs.
LA can male the playoffs if they get their act togeter and the loss of Parise will be interesting to see what happens in NJ.
As long as the Coyotes do thier thing, a playoff spot and a division crown will be ours again.
If 'do their thing' means they only think about their next game, not thinking about the playoffs, I agree they will make the playoffs...a division crown no...they were 2 points from the 8th seed. IMO 3 teams will compete for the the crown even if the Coyote's 'do their thing'.
Yea but it is what the team does during the entire season that determines if they will make the playoffs or not. This team has a organization issue since they won the cup in 07 desite making the playoffs a few times afterwards. Bobby Ryan right isn't too happy there right now because of how his name keeps getting thrown around by the organization as far as trades are concerned.
I had heard items to the contrary that make it sound like Anaheim will do all it can to bring both Getzlaf and Perry back. Maybe the reason why Ryan's name is being thrown out there is to comfortably have the space for theose other 2.
I'd put more stock in Anaheim having a season like the 2nd half of last season than the first half. Boudreau brought some stability, and if I recall, there were several injuries toward the first part of the year.
I just think saying that team X didn't approve as much as team Y, therefore team X won't make the playoffs is a misnomer with the reduced schedule. B/c of the reduced schedule, I'd like to say that the cream rises to the top sooner than later, but the Pacific, IMO, is still easily one of the top 2 divisions in the NHL, and assuming that Anaheim is not going to make the playoffs is still troubling. We had a tough time against the Ducks early in the season, and I expect it to be no different this year.
Barring injuries, always a wild card, I would think Vancouver, St Louis, and Chicago make the playoffs. All 3 teams are loaded with talent and have the taste of a poor playoff performance in their mouths. Phoenix would have to be next on the list, nobody still thinks we are any good. Then I would say the kings make it, but every team that plays them will bring there A game, so in a 48 game season, not sure they make it. Dallas and I think Minnesota are improved, I think they are in. The teams I expect to fall out are Detroit, No Nick, and Nashville, too many forwards gone.
Barring injuries, always a wild card, I would think Vancouver, St Louis, and Chicago make the playoffs. All 3 teams are loaded with talent and have the taste of a poor playoff performance in their mouths.
The injury bug has already hit Vancouver. They're going in to the season with Andrew Eebett as their second line centre. Yes Andrew Ebett. If Kessler doesn't come back soon then Vancouver is not making the playoffs.
Hey guys now that raffi is back, who do you think will be sent down when Sullivan comes back from injury? Also feel free to include how you think our line combos will look when our forward core hopefully returns to full health soon.
Hey guys now that raffi is back, who do you think will be sent down when Sullivan comes back from injury? Also feel free to include how you think our line combos will look when our forward core hopefully returns to full health soon.
Miele was just sent down.
And you gotta imagine Bolduc will be sent down too. Nick Johnson stole his spot.
Other than Bissonette, there's not one frustrating player on this line-up. Granted, no superstar either, but you know all 4 lines will backcheck, can score and throw a few hits. Love it.
If Lombardi ever comes back, I'd put Chipchurra in the Bissonette role and rotate. There's no-one else I'd like to remove.
I think we're in the market for a Lombardi replacement. Just watched the video of his shoulder popping out at the dot in the game against the Sharks, same shoulder that popped out at the dot last year with the Leafs. I suspect his days of taking draws are done and the Leafs just got us to soften his cap hit for them rather than the other way around.
Other than Bissonette, there's not one frustrating player on this line-up. Granted, no superstar either, but you know all 4 lines will backcheck, can score and throw a few hits. Love it.
If Lombardi ever comes back, I'd put Chipchurra in the Bissonette role and rotate. There's no-one else I'd like to remove.
Exactly. If Lombardi does come back what about swapping Johnson with moss on those lines?
Hope that doesn't turn out to be the case, but if it does he can play LW well enough. If he returns this season, that would help our wing depth quite a bit. A lot is made of our center issues but we really have issues at all forward positions. Hopefully DM comes up with something workable soon.
Rundblad seems to be on the Yandle/OEL plan. Probably will play 40-50% of the season.
Gotta trust the coaches/management far as development of defensemen goes around here.
Have we had a defenseman come up in the last 3 years where we haven't thought they'd be a capable NHLer? Even people who don't think Rundblad would work in a Tippet system can see him thriving elsewhere.
blues fan here. I was devastated when we traded Rundblad, but we got tarasenko in the end so it more than made it up. How has Rundblad been doing with his stints as a call up. I haven't had a chance to watch his games in phoenix uniform but he didn't look too comfortable when i saw a few games of him in ottawa.
blues fan here. I was devastated when we traded Rundblad, but we got tarasenko in the end so it more than made it up. How has Rundblad been doing with his stints as a call up. I haven't had a chance to watch his games in phoenix uniform but he didn't look too comfortable when i saw a few games of him in ottawa.
He is the typical skittish offense first player. When they come into this league, they often run into coaches and organizations who refuse to play them until they learn defense. Tippett is the worst (or best, depending on your perspective) at this, showing zero patience with young players. Rundblad could have an excellent game, and he'd still likely be rotated out. On any other team, he dresses every game.
This is why I advocate trading him, despite his sick skills. That, or have a nice sit down with Tippett. It may come to pass that the Coyotes miss the playoffs, and Rundblad gets a permanent spot past the deadline. That would be his time to shine. But for now, it's the up and down game for him. It doesn't help that David Schlemko, expected to fold like a cheap lawn chair and open up the #6/7 spot, has played lights out.
With the coyotes recent track of signing College and CHL free agents, do you think there is a chance we take a run at signing Rylan Schwartz after his season at Colorado College is over? I've seen a few of his games on Altitude sports network and have been impressed. Seems like a pretty good playmaker.
