PHOENIX COYOTES: 08-09 Season Preview

07-08 RECORD: 38-37-7 83 Points

Division: 4th

Conference: 12th

Result: Missed the playoffs

OFF-SEASON

ARRIVALS: Olli Jokinen (FLA), Todd Fedoruk (MIN), Brian McGratton (OTT), Jeff Hogan (BOS), Garth Murray (FLA), Kurt Sauer (COL), David Hale (CGY), Kevin Porter (FA)

DEPARTURES: Blake Wheeler, Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton, Marcel Hossa, Niko Kapanen, Bill Thomas, Mathais Tjarnqvist, Radim Vrbata, Craig Weller, Mike York

The Coyotes felt they were just 1 or 2 major players from making an impact in the play-offs last year and they went out and got them. The addition of Olli Jokinen brings 71 much needed points to the line up as well as gives the young talent of the Yotes someone else to look up to. The Coyotes had to give up alot to get Jokinen, most notably defensemen Keith Ballard but it could be Jokinen's scoring and not Ballards good defense that puts the Yotes over the top. Phoenix also added a solid D man in the addition of Kurt Sauer. He struggled last year with 6 points in 54 games but look for him to be a solid 5th or 6th guy. The Coyotes also went out and added free agent winger Kevin Porter, Porter won the 2008 Hobey Baker award which is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA college hockey player. He scored 33 goals and added 30 assists for 63 points in only 43 games. He led his Michigan Wolverines to within 1 game of the National Championship however fell just short 5-4 in OT to the eventual runner up Notre Dame. Finally the Coyotes added lots of toughness with Brian McGratton and Todd Fedoruk but some would wonder with tough but talent Daniel Carcillo already on the roster how many tough guys do you need? I definitely didn't work out for Minnesota last year.

CAP HIT: 39.07 million

FORWARDS:

My Projected Lines:

1- P. MUELLER-O.JOKINEN-S.DOAN

2- D. CARCILLO-K.TURRIS-M.BOEDKER

3- D.WINNIK-M.HANZAL-V. TIKHONOV

4- B. McGRATTON-S.REINPRECHT-K. PORTER
E- E.LISIN-J.PERRAULT-C.KOLARIK

The Coyotes asked Peter Mueller to move to the wing with the acquisition of Jokinen he has happily agreed. This give the Yotes a solid top line mixing youth with experience. The Coyotes have a young second line with Boedker and Turris. I think you'll be seeing a little of Boedker on the top line before the year is up. Turris is a kid with a natural ability to put the puck in the net. He played in 3 games last year for the club and even grabbed an assist during his brief stint. I think one of the surprises of this year will be the energy line or the 3rd line. The line consisting of Hanzal, Tikhonov, and Winnik will be out there against some of the leagues top lines and asked to shut them down. Winnik had a good rookie season with 26 points in 79 games. Tikhonov is another kid I think you might see move up in the depth chart this year and might end the year on the 2nd line.

DEFENSE:

My Projected Lines:

1. Z. MICHALEK- E. JOVANOVSKI

2. D. MORRIS- K. YANDLE

3. D. HALE- K. SAUER

4. D. FATA- M. JONES

The Coyotes went out and got some help in the back end however still lost some key D men. Hale is somewhat streaky as fans in Calgary got to see. He ended up with 2 points last year in 58 games. He's a guy that isn't flashy but you don't really notice him out there with which as a D man isn't that bad because you aren't making mistakes. The paring of Jovanovski and Michalek will be asked to shut down the premier lines of the league and should be able to hold their own as well as adding some points. Morris give this young team much needed leadership as well as points on the power play.

GOALIES:

1- I. BRYZGALOV

2- M. TELLQVIST

3- A. MONTOYA

The Coyotes finally went out last year and got themselves a number 1 goalie. Bryzgalov played in 55 games last year boasting a 2.42 GAA with 3 shout outs. With the added talent up front I'd expect to see this number go down. Tellqvist was brought in expecting to come into the no. 1 roll but he struggled at the start of last season and he will spend most of his time this year on the bench. Former Michigan goalie Al Montoya will most likely start the year in San Antonio but might make the break into the NHL at some point this year.

OVERALL:

The Coyotes have made some major additions in the offseason and teams can no longer expect to go in to Phoenix and expect 2 points. You can expect that they will battle for the Western Conference's 8th and final play off spot with Vancouver and Minnesota. I fully expect them to be a tougher team than last year which is pretty tough considering Carcillo's league leading 324 PIMS.

PREDICTION: 4th Division, 8th Conference