Arizona Coyotes: Free Agent/Trade Evaluation 2015

Arizona Coyotes Free Agent Signings/Trade Not Good Enough

The recent flurry of free agents being signed brought some surprises, especially the signings of Vermette and Michalek by the Arizona Coyotes. This tells me that either other free agents were being cautious about where they would hang their skates, due to the Glendale Gila River arena fiasco, or the team was being conservative (as usual) in their choices due to financial constraints.

The team is at $51.958M, still below the cap basement, but close to it. Today, it was announced that Mikkel Boedker was going to salary arbitration, since he was not able to work out a deal with the Arizona Coyotes. It is believed that he is seeking a deal worth $4-$5M a year, and with the arbitration he may only get a one-year deal.

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Again, I don’t get this. The way Boedker has played he deserves a good increase, similar to what Matt Belesky got on the free agent market in the range of $19M for five years. Do the Arizona Coyotes really want to lose him to free agency next season? It could happen.

What didn’t happen was, as usual the team failed to sign any BIG free agents, and the only trade thus far has been the Korpikoski trade for Boyd Gordon. I think that was a good trade, I love Gordon’s face-off abilities, penalty killing skills, and all around play. It just makes me wonder why the only free agents outside of Grossmann, and Richardson were players who played here before, and two of them recently. I do not criticize the signing of Vermette or Michalek, it just baffles me why the team can’t attract a BIG free agent, like a Kessel, Hamilton, or Green for instance.

I’m not totally thrilled that they signed Downie. The guy was the most penalized player in the league last season, and the Coyotes were terrible on the penalty kill. They needed a tough guy, but he does not put milk on my Cheerios…sorry.

I watched this same scenario last season as free agent after free agent went somewhere besides Arizona. Then, this year the only way the team could have attracted a BIG name player was if they were willing to trade away their third overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft. I’m really glad GM Don Maloney thought twice or three times on that one, and in the end turned down offers.

Now, GMDM claims he is still looking for a puck moving D-man, and a winger. It will more than likely occur through the trade route, rather than signing a free agent. Cody Franson is still out there. Let’s see he’s 6′ 5″, 214, and had 36 points in 78 games last season, and wants a contract in the range of $33M for six years, similar to what Jeff Petry just received. Will the Coyotes actually make an offer? Doubt it. There are five other teams, who unlike the local team, have interest in him. They are: Pens, Stars, Leafs, Sharks, and the Flames, who nabbed Hamilton.

I’m telling you right now the Flames (with former Asst. GM Brad Treliving) will be a force to be reckoned with next season. Grabbing Hamilton, and Frolik was a great upgrade for them. Both of those players should have been on the Yotes radar, and I believe Hamilton was, they just couldn’t swing a deal. Mainly due to it being tied to trading the third pick. Gee, then the Bruins would have had the #3, 13, 14, 15 pick in the draft, and could have drafted almost a starting five!

Unless GM Don Maloney can get a real impact player in here, and I think it should be a defensive player, this team may be moving up from 29th to maybe 26th. Still a huge disappointment to say the least.

I’m just envisioning a blue-line with OEL, Stone, Murphy, Dahlbeck, Michalek, Grossmann, and Franson. The big factor to consider also, is Franson is a right-handed shot, something the Arizona Coyotes could use. The other fact that intrigues me is the size of the defense would improve significantly. Who in their right mind would challenge a Grossmann at 6′ 4″ and 233 ? ; and/or a Franson at 6′ 5″, 214 ? Nah… it won’t happen. Even with the money they need to give Boedker, they still will have money leftover to spend on a BIG free agent. BUT, the question remains, WILL THEY?

Next: Arizona Coyotes: Free Agency; Trade: Korpikoski For Gordon

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