Arizona Coyotes Optimistic About Playoffs

The Arizona Coyotes Have An Optimistic Outlook On The Playoffs This Season.

The Arizona Coyotes have all the tools to make a realistic playoff run this season. A solid mix of veterans and young superstars will give this team a competitive advantage moving forward. I will be the first to boldly say that “last season was a fluke and nothing more.” The Arizona Coyotes are a playoff contender, and this year they may slip in as a wild card team.

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My editor, William Grigsby thinks that the Arizona Coyotes won’t make the playoffs, and that GM Don Maloney is cheerleading when he states that they are going into the season to be a playoff team.

I disagree….

The Arizona Coyotes have been a playoff contender in this league for the past six seasons. The Coyotes made the playoffs in the 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 seasons before hitting the drought they are currently in. I firmly believe that the Coyotes could have added two more seasons to their playoff streak with 2012-2013 and 2013-2014.

The Coyotes narrowly missed the postseason in 2013 with a total of 51 points. The final wild card position (Minnesota Wild) was solidified with 55 season points. 2014 was even worse due to Mike Smith’s injury late in the season. The Coyotes were in a playoff position until Mike Smith went down on an injury on March 24, 2014. Backup goaltender Thomas Greiss was thrown in to the fire, and finished out the season with a 3-4-4 record. The Coyotes would finish the season with 89 points, as the Dallas Stars take the final wildcard spot with 91.

The chart below displays their records and point totals since 2009.

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Last season just did not click with the Arizona Coyotes and that is alright. This past season was a wake up call for the team and sets in motion a much needed rebuild of the franchise. Good things are coming for this team and that may be sooner rather than later.

General Manager Don Maloney feels that they can contend with the best this season:

"“Our thing going into the season, we’re still growing as a team, but we are entering the season to be a playoff team, and we’ve seen it in the past. I look at our roster and say, OK, we may not have the most pure talent as some of the teams in the West, but with a great coach and a great game plan and a stable center ice and a better blue line and solid goaltending, we should be able to compete every night, whether it’s the Chicago Blackhawks or the Stanley Cup champions or the bottom of the Western Conference.”"

Apr 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) celebrates with teammates after beating the San Jose Sharks 5-3 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The youth are set to take over this team in the next few seasons; some coming sooner than later. While the third overall pick, Dylan Strome, won’t see NHL ice this season; other young-guns may get the chance to shine. Rookie sensations Anthony Duclair and Max Domi are almost NHL-ready and may provide use for the Coyotes this year.

Tobias Rieder looks to eliminate thoughts of a “sophomore slump” and is ready to light up the score sheet for the Coyotes. Defensemen Brandon Gormley and Connor Murphy have also been improving their games with their NHL experience.

The Arizona Coyotes will have help from established players as well. The leadership provided by Shane Doan can help the younger players grow and reach their full potential. Zbynek Michalek is one of the best shot blockers in the league and will aid in clogging up the shooting lanes.

Antoine Vermette gives the Coyotes an edge in the faceoff circle along with the experience of a Stanley Cup championship with the Chicago Blackhawks. Both Mikkel Boedker and Martin Hanzal will be healthy in time for puck drop on October 9th. Finally, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is beginning to break-out as an NHL threat.

The Coyotes have a core group of players that will push the entire team to a playoff position. The Arizona Coyotes are a good bit away from a Stanley Cup banner. However, they have all the tools this season to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Don’t sleep on the Arizona Coyotes.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Fan Poll: Vote For MVP This Season

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