Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney Likes Team’s Start
After Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney makes his moves, he sits back to see the results.
So far this young season, Maloney likes what he’s seen. The areas he wanted to address were speed and better defense, including improved goaltending.
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The speed deficiency has been resolved with the additions of Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. Having Mikkel Boedker back from serious injury had also inflated their speed factor. Throw in Tobias Rieder, and there aren’t too many NHL teams who can skate with them.
Maloney commented to the Coyotes Dave Vest (coyotes.nhl.com):
"“We’ve had good energy, really good performances from a lot of our young players, and our veterans are starting to kick in on a regular basis. And I like the speed we’re playing at. I think ‘Tip’ has done a terrific job putting a game plan in place so that we can compete every night.”"
Of course, excluding the Boston game where the Arizona Coyotes were skinned alive 6-0, they have been in games, which is a huge improvement from last season. Their misfortunes of being short two centers will be over when they take on the Colorado Avalanche, who won handily last night to the struggling Calgary Flames. Antione Vermette returned for the Vancouver game to collect two assists, and Martin Hanzal is scheduled to be back in action after recovering from his lower-body injury.
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Matt Duchene had two goals, and so did Jarome Iginla, who added an assist for a three point effort for the Av’s victory over the barely luke-warm Flames. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, so the Coyotes need to watch for that trio when they face the Av’s tomorrow night at Gila River arena.
The Arizona Coyote lost both games they played the Av’s last season, and look to change that this season. Every time they play a team who has yet to see the new Yotes roster should be an advantage for them. Let’s see how the Av’s attempt to defense the speedsters Domi, Duclair, Rieder, and Boedker.
Another important factor will be if Mike Smith has his head back together after getting yanked giving up two goals on the first three shots he faced against the Canucks last game. He didn’t look too confident being replaced, just as any goalie who faces that dilemma. On a promising note, backup goalie Anders Lindback performed well in relief, only to be tagged with the loss.
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With the defense not moving the puck out of their own zone effectively except for Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Smith’s downfall of late, it may have some Coyotes fans biting their fingernails thinking a repeat of last season may occur. Let’s hope that Head Coach Dave Tippett can head that off at the pass, and right the ship.
With the unfortunate injury to Connor McDavid, the Arizona Coyotes Max Domi may have an inside track to win the Calder Trophy, if he continues to play as he has. Wouldn’t that be something?