Arizona Coyotes: 2009-12 Successes Needed Again

Let’s Compare Three Past Successful Seasons To See What Worked

When you look back at the three seasons from 2009-10 to 2011-12, the successful results were due to many factors.

Although no youngster at 33-35 over that period of time, Doan had 165 points, including 60 goals. That averages out to 20 goals, and 35 assists a season, with 55 points . Last season Doaner had 14 goals, 22 assists for 36 points. So, his production has decreased by 19 points. He’s not getting any younger, and probably won’t score more than 30-35 points this upcoming season, unless he has some productive line-mates.

Ilya Bryzgalov

In 2009-10 Bryzgalov was outstanding with 42-W, 20-L, 10-T/O. His stellar GAA was an astounding 2.29, including 8 SO, and a .920 SV%. In 2010-11 he followed that up with similar stats. 36-W, 20-L, 10-T/O. 2.48 GAA, 7 SO, .921 SV%. Unfortunately he was less than acceptable in the playoffs both seasons totaling a poor 3-8 record.

Mike Smith

In 2011-12 was Mike Smith’s year. His 38-W, 18-L, 10-T/O record was supplemented by his .930 SV%, and a 2.21 GAA. He threw in 8 shutouts for good measure. His playoffs numbers were also were notable: 9-W, 7-L, .944 SV%, and 3 more shutouts. It wasn’t enough though when the L.A. Kings put all that to rest. Jonathon Quick was better in the Western Conference Finals, as were the Kings who moved on to win the Cup.

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Last season for Smitty was as forgettable a season as he cares to remember. Fans will remember it as well, and he needs to turn things around as soon as possible. I am not too sure he can with the collection of defenseman the team has. Grossmann may help a bit, and Michalek will certainly block some shots, as well as Gordon.

The real disappointment for many fans (myself included) is that the current ownership group has in the past, stated that they want a winner here in the valley. So far, they have NOT backed that up with financial support to attract TOP free agents, or attracting current players vital to the team’s success to longer than short-term contracts. Not getting Hamilton was bad enough, but now we have to just sit still while another team beats us to the punch on Franson? Don’t get that… seriously don’t get it, at all.

The current defensive team makeup is nothing compared to what Smith had in front of him in 2011-12.

His defense back then consisted of: Keith Yandle, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Rostislav Klesla, Michal Rozsival, Derek Morris, David Schlemko, Adrian Aucoin, Michael Stone, David Rundblad, and Chris Summers had a combined +37 +/- rating and the team only allowed 204 goals.

Compare that to the lowly 272 goals let in this past season, and you can see why defense is so vital. It is Arizona Coyotes’ Head Coach Dave Tippett’s game plan to play defense, and score enough to win, but last season all that fell into the melted hopes of just surviving the season, and obtaining a top draft pick. They didn’t get that first, or even second draft pick, and who knows how well this team could have been if they had. Right now, they must settle for Dylan Strome, who is no McDavid or Eichel for that matter, but he is an exceptionally gifted forward who should help this team — if he is allowed to do so.

Turning to the Arizona Coyotes Offense:

2011-12 Team Roster

2014-15 Team Roster

As you can see the 2011-12 team offense scored 216 goals, and the top four goal scorers, Whitney (24), Vrbata (35), Doan (22), Yandle (11) had 92 of the team total, or 43%. In contrast last season’s top four goal scorers: OEL (23), Gagner (15), Doan (14), Boedker (14) (and he missed 37 games due to injury) comes to 66 goals, or 39%. The goal differential between the two seasons is 26, or a 28.3% drop. In other words — besides OEL who is a defenseman, the 2014-15 version of the Arizona Coyotes, had NO GO-TO GUY.

We can all hope that a young prospect with great expectations, like Max Domi, or Anthony Duclair will step forward and help out in the scoring column, but that is a lot to expect from either one of them.

Don’t get me wrong, it would be exceptionally awesome for it to happen, I just don’t see it going down. I hope I’m wrong.

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