Arizona Coyotes Must Exercise Patience With Michael Stone
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone continues to recover from a knee injury sustained at the end of the 2015-16 season.
For the Arizona Coyotes, there is no need to rush back Michael Stone.
If there’s even an iota of doubt, management should let him continue to work in practice while the next man up takes his place. Better to have him out now and return as healthy as possible than send him in too soon and have the situation go awry.
The Coyotes new general manager, John Chayka, stocked the depth chart with several NHL-viable defenders this offseason. They should be used if necessary.
There was the cream of the free agent crop, Alex Goligoski. General Manager John Chayka also signed Luke Schenn and Jamie McBain.
He brought those new names aboard all while keeping his hands on Stone, Connor Murphy, Kevin Connauton, and Klas Dahlbeck.
The Coyotes’ defensive corps isn’t the Nashville Predators by any means, but there’s a plethora of serviceable names who can slot in for Head Coach Dave Tippett in a pinch.
Players like Dahlbeck, Schenn, and McBain are not going to wow anyone, for sure, and they might even make you cringe a bit from time to time. That considered, the Arizona Coyotes blue-line is in a significantly better place than it was throughout the 2015-16 campaign.
You could argue that the simple addition of Goligoski makes that the case. You wouldn’t be wrong.
More from Howlin' Hockey
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
His addition will allow some of these new and returning players to play in roles and minutes better suited to their skillsets. Provided he and Oliver Ekman-Larsson remain healthy, many of the other pieces are fairly interchangeable.
Options. That’s what Tipp has this year. I bet he’s pleased as punch.
Arizona Coyotes News and Links
Is John Chayka Done Making Moves? — Howlin’ Hockey
Arizona Coyotes General Manager John Chayka has been very busy this offseason. After acquiring Lawson Crouse, is he done making moves or is there more to come?
Domi, Duclair Miss Out On World Cup Of Hockey — Howlin’ Hockey
Despite their strong rookie seasons, Arizona Coyotes stars Max Domi and Anthony Duclair were not selected to represent Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey. Were they snubbed?
Arizona Coyotes 21 under 21 – #1 – Christian Dvorak — Five For Howling
The Arizona Coyotes may have gotten away with highway robbery when selecting our panel’s top prospect under 21.
Knee injury recovery appears touch-and-go for Coyotes’ Stone — NBCSports
Every now and then, a little more honesty bleeds into talks of injury rehabs, and it sounds like Arizona Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone acknowledges the genuine discomfort and anxiety that comes from recovering from a knee issue.
Other Local Sports
Arizona Cardinals release first Depth Chart of 2016 — Revenge of the Birds
The Arizona Cardinals released their first depth chart of the season. Were there any surprises?
Arizona Cardinals: 5 players who could surprise — Raising Zona
The Arizona Cardinals are loaded with talent but have five players who could be better than advertised.
Next: Coyotes Defensive Logjam Is A Good Thing
This Week in Phoenix Suns History – September 5-11 — Valley of the Suns
The Phoenix Suns are one of the most historic organizations in the NBA. How they’ve become this storied franchise is something that takes years to breakdown. Here is this week in Phoenix Suns’ history.