Mueller was 8th but that doesn't make it any less depressing
Not having a first or second in 03 really hurt. There are even some studs in the 2nd round. Would have had to actively try and mess up that first round.
Extremely depressing how badly our rebuild has fallen apart.
But at the same time we got a GM who is usually better at trading than drafting so it helps that Maloney can get back whatever we can that isnt a bucket of pucks.
But at the same time we got a GM who is usually better at trading than drafting so it helps that Maloney can get back whatever we can that isnt a bucket of pucks.
We don't have the budget or appeal to win by trading or free agent signings. I love GMDM, but our drafting has to be better and I'm happy that he has admitted as much. The problem is that we already missed our window when we were drafting high and having multiple picks in the first round.
This franchise was out of the playoffs for seven seasons and doesn't have much to show for its troubles besides Yandle, OEL, Boedker (jury is still out), and Mueller's rookie season. That's pretty terrible.
This franchise was out of the playoffs for seven seasons and doesn't have much to show for its troubles besides Yandle, OEL, Boedker (jury is still out), and Mueller's rookie season. That's pretty terrible.
And yet they made the playoffs the following two seasons with little home-grown talent. Pick your poison. Signing/Trading for guys that fit the system will always be easier than drafting.
We don't have the budget or appeal to win by trading or free agent signings. I love GMDM, but our drafting has to be better and I'm happy that he has admitted as much. The problem is that we already missed our window when we were drafting high and having multiple picks in the first round.
This franchise was out of the playoffs for seven seasons and doesn't have much to show for its troubles besides Yandle, OEL, Boedker (jury is still out), and Mueller's rookie season. That's pretty terrible.
Another way to look at it is this team is much better with defensemen than it is with forwards. Yandle is already a stud, and OEL is on his way, too. Gormley and Rundblad have legitimate first pairing upside, and then there's Summers, Schlemko, Goncharov, and Murphy, who could all round into good second pairing guys.
As should be obvious, this is not a bad problem to have. Heaven forbid the Coyotes end up with a top six of:
More likely, though, some of these guys won't pan out, but that still leaves the Coyotes a few trading chips, especially if Maloney is able to flip guys before they officially bust.
For a team that is very good at developing defensemen with a GM who excels at trading, why wouldn't you stock up on young defensemen and eventually trade some of them for forwards?
Another way to look at it is this team is much better with defensemen than it is with forwards. Yandle is already a stud, and OEL is on his way, too. Gormley and Rundblad have legitimate first pairing upside, and then there's Summers, Schlemko, Goncharov, and Murphy, who could all round into good second pairing guys.
As should be obvious, this is not a bad problem to have. Heaven forbid the Coyotes end up with a top six of:
More likely, though, some of these guys won't pan out, but that still leaves the Coyotes a few trading chips, especially if Maloney is able to flip guys before they officially bust.
For a team that is very good at developing defensemen with a GM who excels at trading, why wouldn't you stock up on young defensemen and eventually trade some of them for forwards?
Looking more closely at Maloney's history, I've noticed a bit of a trend among his trades. Not counting cases where he simply traded the rights of someone who didn't want to sign here, he trades players almost exclusively when they're either no longer a fit for the Coyotes, they're drastically underperforming, or they're just the worst roster player they have. Sometimes all three. We all know the whole "you have to give to get" mantra, but I think Maloney's strategy has three big benefits:
1) You're not messing with team chemistry. When you trade away a player who is performing well, it can often have a depressing effect on the rest of the team.
2) You usually improve the team. If you're trading away a Kevyn Adams or a Todd Fedoruk/David Hale, you're probably not going to make the team much worse, and if you get a Vrbata in return, you can make it much better.
3) Players know where they stand. Good players don't just suddenly find themselves in the middle of trade rumors. If you're playing well and you fit with your teammates, your job is safe. This provides peace of mind to the Coyotes and makes Phoenix a more attractive place to play.
They say that sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make.
How would a Kyle Turris for Rene Bourque deal look today? And Turris's agent was calling Maloney crazy for not pursuing? How's Bourque been in Montreal? 7 points and a -14.
