Where Arizona Coyotes Will Finish Next Season In Tough Pacific Division
**At the end of this post, you will have the opportunity to vote on where you think the team will finish**
May 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) stands behind teammates on the bench as the Ducks play in an empty net situation against the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period in game seven of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Now that the draft has transpired, and free agency has pretty much done the same thing, it’s time to look forward and predict how well the Arizona Coyotes will finish in THE toughest division in the NHL. Last season was not a memorable one to say the least, but when you take an objective look at the competition after the dust of the off-season has settled, it doesn’t look too promising.
Here’s a rundown of where I predict each team finishing:
- Anaheim Ducks – Finished 1st in the Pacific division last season
- Departed players: Beachemin, Belesky, Etem
- New arrivals: Horcuff, Bieska, Haglin
The Ducks weren’t really active, and why would they need to be? They went to the Western Conference Finals, and that’s quite an accomplishment. Each of the three players who sought greener pastures were replaced with comparable players. They will be right there again this season due to a powerful front line consisting of Perry and Getzlaf. They have a couple of players who are moving up in their skill levels in Betanen and Silfverberg. The Duck Dynasty (sorry, couldn’t resist…) will continue.
Predicted finish: 1st in Pacific Division
Next: L.A. Kings to finish 2nd
Dec 20, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) and Arizona Coyotes center Joe Vitale (14) during a face-off in the first period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
- L.A. Kings – Finished 4th in the Pacific division last season
- Departed players : Stoll, Richards, Regehr, Sekera, Williams
- New arrivals: Lucic, Enroth
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The L.A. Kings (the ones not being charged with a crime) sorta cleaned house, and for the better. They probably won’t get Slava Voynov back after he serves his ninety days for beating his wife, since the NHL will need to address his behavior as well. My prediction: his NHL career is DONE, stick a fork in it! Professional athletes who are in the limelight, and act like thugs will not be given a slap on the hand anymore, they are being prosecuted, and losing their careers, as well it should be.
The remainder of the team is still tough to bet against. They came up short last season, and with all the off-ice distractions (Coyotes’ fans can relate) it’s no wonder. If they can concentrate on hockey this season, they will make the playoffs, and it will be entertaining to see how Lucic does in Tinsel Town. He matches the Kings grinding style of play, and could help them immensely.
Predicted finish: 2nd in Pacific Division
Next: Calgary Flames to finish 3rd
Oct 31, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) skates with the puck against the Nashville Predators during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
- Calgary Flames – Finished 3rd in the Pacific division last season
- Departed players: Potter, Diaz, Schlemko (former Coyote)
- New arrivals: Frokik, Hamilton
The Calgary Flames added two pretty impressive players in Frolik and Hamilton. Dougie Hamilton was sought by the Arizona Coyotes, but I believe GM Don Maloney turned down the deal, because the Bruins wanted the Yotes third overall pick. In the end, Hamilton wound up with a lucrative six-year $32.5 million contract. Not sure if he’s worth that much, and that may have been one reason why the Arizona Coyotes neglected making a long term deal with him. With an up and coming star in “Johnny Hockey” Gadreau, (24-g, 40-a, 80 games) the Flames could even catch the Kings, and move up to the third spot in the Pacific division.
Another young prospect, Sam Bennett is anxious to show everyone he’s over his five month injury he sustained to his shoulder, and knows a roster spot is not guaranteed to him. I think if he starts playing to the level of Gadreau, the Flames might have something special.
Predicted finish: 3rd in Pacific Division
Jul 2, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; NHL draft number one pick Connor McDavid takes part in the Edmonton Oilers rookie camp at the Rexall Center. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
- Edmonton Oilers – Finished 6th in the Pacific division last season
- Departed players: Gordon, Roy, Fraser, Marincin, Fasth
- New arrivals: MCDAVID, Sekera, Letestu, Reinhart, Gryba
This is not even close to the same team/organization as last season. After they won the grand prize in winning the draft lottery, there were some huge changes in management, as well. Peter Chiarelli was brought in as GM, and Todd McLellan as Head Coach. Bringing in veterans like Letestu, and Sekera should help the blend of a mostly young team.
Puck Prose
The Oilers also have a good D-man in Darnell Nurse, who has 134 points in 221 games, and 20 points in 29 playoffs games in the OHL, as well. He may be in the opening night lineup. It was tempting to put the Oilers ahead of the Flames, but Calgary has improved their blue-line, and has strong goaltending. Still, the Oilers may finally start to see dividends from all their high draft picks over recent years, and you must admit with a generational player like Connor McDavid they have some reasons to be optimistic.
Predicted finish: 4th in Pacific Division
Next: San Jose Sharks to finish 5th
Feb 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Barclay Goodrow (89) celebrates with center Tomas Hertl (48) and defenseman Scott Hannan (27) as Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) reacts after scoring a goal in the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
- San Jose Sharks- Finished 5th in the Pacific division last season
- Departed players: Niemi
- New arrivals: Jones, Martin, Ward
The Sharks still have some pretty impressive players in Coutre, Thorton, Pavelski (Coyote killer), Burns, and Vlasic. Losing their head coach Todd McLellan may not be that catastrophic, but this team has other issues. Joe Thornton is getting older, and losing Niemi may be something they regret, although Jones should be a good replacement between the pipes, but was a backup to Quick in Los Angeles. He has had seven shutouts in 34 games, but has not been a starter. The jury will be out on the selection of Deboer as Head Coach, so there are plenty of question marks for this team. They may even fall to sixth if things start to implode on them.
Predicted finish: 5th in Pacific Division
Next: Vancouver Canucks to finish 6th
Sep 29, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Radim Vrbata (17) battles with Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Arizona won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
- Vancouver Canucks- Finished 2nd in the Pacific division last season
- Departed players: Bieska, Richardson, Kassian, Matthias, Lack
- New arrivals: Prust, Bartkowski
The Canucks got worse over the off-season due to losing so many good players like Matthias and Bieska. Bartkowski was a good addition, but this team will falter by season’s end. Their goaltending situation was only worsened by putting all their hopes on Miller. Now, if guys like Horvat and Vey step up they may move up in the standings, but the Sedins are not getting any younger, and can’t be expected to take this team to the promise land. It just seems this team is going the wrong direction, and won’t have the success of last season, with all the subtractions which were made. They still have Radim Vrbata, so that helps them. The guy is a sniper, an awesome goal scorer, who got away from the Arizona Coyotes.
Predicted finish: 6th in Pacific Division
Next: YOUR Arizona Coyotes to finish 7th
Oct 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tshirts on seats await fans prior to the game between the Arizona Coyotes and the Winnipeg Jets at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
- Arizona Coyotes- Finished 7th in the Pacific division last season
- Departed players: Arcobello, Gagner, Korpikoski
- New arrivals: Strome (maybe), Domi (probably), Duclair (most probably) Pronger (not really), Gordon, Michalek, Vermette, Grossmann
With all the controversy about the Gila River arena lease, and the city of Glendale’s action to try an remove the team, the games must still be played. And, a judge will decide who wins (does anyone really win in this mess?) this fiasco. On the ice, the team made some changes, but bringing back Vermette and Michalek, along with Gordon was a way to make them feel warm and fuzzy, NOT competitive and improving.
Doan is yet another year older, and more than likely will not enjoy the celebration of winning a Cup, as Vermette did. Still, with players like Oliver Ekman-Larsson on your team, and a couple of young prospects like Domi, and Duclair things aren’t all that bad. They just will be for this season, and next season they should crawl their way out of the basement. They only have one thing to look forward to — AUSTON MATTHEWS. There I said it, they will again be in the lottery at season’s end. They just didn’t do enough, in my opinion to move from the depths of mediocrity… not YET.
Predicted finish: 7th in Pacific Division
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