Arizona Coyotes Roster Changes Could Make Big Difference

Arizona Coyotes General Manager John Chayka hasn’t been shy in his first offseason in charge. His boldness may result in a drastically different on-ice product than the one fans saw in 2015-16.

There were a few hallmarks to the Arizona Coyotes play in 2015-16.

The two most notable were inconsistency and an inability to control the puck.

This was not the fault of Head Coach Dave Tippett, who is one of the best in his profession, nor was it even the fault of the players on the ice. Players and coach both gave it their all and hung in the playoff race when most expected them to be bottom-dwellers.

Some deficiencies cannot be overcome, however.

The blame lay in the construction of the roster, and this offseason the Yotes ownership agreed when they sent former General Manager Don Maloney packing.

That left ownership with a search for a candidate who could perform a few specific, highly necessary functions.

Develop and build around the youth. Find consistency on the back end. Bring the Arizona Coyotes on-ice product into the modern era.

Despite initial cries about his age, new GM John Chayka assumed his new role with a mandate to do what was needed to accomplish those goals.

Since Chayka has been in charge, the franchise has attacked these needs with an enthusiasm previously unknown in the desert.

The Defense

With his acquisition of Alex Goligoski and further defensive depth, a touted draft class, and some bold moves with the current roster, there’s little space left between Chayka’s vision and the reality of the start of a new NHL season.

If it plays out the way Chayka hopes, the Coyotes could perform like a completely different team in 2016-17.

They now possess the ability to roll out two strong puck-moving defensive pairings with Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Alex Goligoski holding down the left side in the top four. This should allow Tippett’s group to possess the puck at a higher rate this season.

Ekman-Larsson hasn’t had a defensive counterpart near his level since the departure of Keith Yandle.

The acquisition of Goligoski should ease his load considerably.

Coupled with another season alongside budding youngster Connor Murphy, we may see the best season from OEL yet.

Offensive Upside

As we’ve learned, there’s a decent correlation between the number of shots taken and the number of goals scored in the NHL.

The Coyotes have played at a deficit in this category for some time now. They finished 29th in the league in shots per game (27.6) and allowed the sixth most shots per game (31.0) last season.

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With Chayka’s hand on the levers and Tippett having better players at his disposal, that should change.

Instead of getting outshot in the majority of games as they have in recent years, the youth movement and defensive upgrades should afford the Arizona Coyotes the opportunity to join the modern NHL.

Max Domi and Anthony Duclair have a full season under their belts. One would assume we will see improvement in their respective games in year two.

Whether that translates into higher point totals is a mystery. There should certainly be more consistent play on both ends from Domi and perhaps more aggression in the game of Duclair.

The Youth and the Future

Excitement continues to build about which rookies will join the Coyotes’ dynamic duo in Glendale this fall.

The truth is, with a prospect cupboard this full, there are several names you could pick and get production. Likely more than the Coyotes would receive from some of the aging veterans that departed since last season.

Despite the moves, this team is far from a completed product. It may yet be another year away from a return to the playoffs.

Next: Five Must-Watch Games For Coyotes Fans in 2016-17

Regardless, the makeover initiated by ownership and John Chayka has been a positive development for Arizona Coyotes hockey.

The seeds planted may or may not blossom in 2016-17. Nonetheless, the on-ice play should finally begin to resemble something from this decade.