Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

What will become of the ownership situation? What will happen with Mike Smith?

When evaluating talent one must first consider the talent around them and how much they contributed. If you consider re-signing Horace Grant you must consider he has Michael Jordan on his team and most likely putting up numbers that aren’t really accurate when rating his worth to the team. Many of Steve Nash’s pal will have about a 20% increase based on Nash and the style of play the Suns played when in their high tempo offense.

Brings us to Mike Smith. How much is he worth? He was an average net minder when he came to Phoenix. After working with Sean Burke and playing in Dave Tippett’s system he became a finalist for Goalie of the Year as well as MVP with the Coyotes deep run last season which ended in the Western Conference Finals. Yeah we all know there are different names like Vezina, Hart memorial, and the Conn Smythe but to the average fan they may not understand which. I will leave it to you to Google your way through if needed.

In my opinion Mike Smith is better than he was judged but greatly helped by the Burke and Tippett mentoring and systems. One simply needs to see Ilya Bryzgalov to see what I mean. Stud here in Phoenix who signs a big contract and then heads to Philly where he gets lit up like a Chernobyl light bulb.  See why LaBarbera and Chad Johnson do pretty well in net in his absence. I think money spent needs to be on our offense. Our defense and Goal tending is a coaching system that Dave will lug in what he needs to. Offer Smitty an above average contract but that’s it. I think if anything his attitude and team chemistry is what gets him over an average contract. If not give him a standard middle of the road deal and move on if he doesn’t accept it.

But hey what do I know. Everybody Howl!!!

Apr 18, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Roman Polak (46) checks Phoenix Coyotes center Boyd Gordon (15) off of the puck during overtime at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Coyotes 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

We can talk about points out of the playoffs but we are also one of the worst teams in the league currently. Inconsistent play on defense and in goal seem to be the obvious answer but the offense is darn right anemic at times and pout zero pressure on opposing teams at times.

The old saying is sometimes a good defense is a good offense. Hard to score when someone is constantly punching you in the face. We have yet to put steady pressure on a team and find ourselves floundering in our own zone. Too much play their and not enough in hi zone.

Tonight a good effort from Chad Johnson went unused as once again we lose to a team we had to beat in extra time. This after it looked like Vrbata may have saved the season for the moment with a nice move and back hand goal. Just not enough to wait 59 minutes to score a goal. ANGER is the emotion on the surface. Frustration from all involved in this team. Fans and players had different thoughts following a Western Conference run.

There will be no white out. No extra games to get crazy. Some fear we have 2 home games left in Phoenix Coyote history. I fear they could be right.

In the end St Louis got a shootout goal and the Coyotes couldn’t even score one on one! 2-1 loss in the shootout. If anyone had slim hopes they may as well start going to D-Backs games. This season is over.

There will be no more Howlin’ until next season!

Thanks for a good season but it is disappointing.