Arizona Coyotes: Special Teams Need To Step Up

By William Grigsby |

A Much Needed Improvement In Arizona Coyotes Special Teams Will Help Team Succeed

Last season was not a season to remember, but in one statistical category the Arizona Coyotes were seventh. Their power play was not half bad, but was overshadowed by a more than poor penalty kill. They ranked 29th in killing penalties, and that has got to improve if they wish to see their way out of the Pacific Division basement.

This season’s team must be better at not taking so many penalties, therefore reducing the penalty kill time. When excessive penalties are taken, it really slows down the energy level of the team.

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I have a suspicion that with the addition of Steve Downie and especially John Scott, the goal to reduce the opponent’s power play time will not be accomplished. Downie led the NHL in penalty minutes last season, and has a reputation as a dirty player, being suspended numerous times. Take a look at what he did to Sid Crosby in 2010.

To assemble a penalty killing units for the Arizona Coyotes here’s what I came up with:

Unit 1

Forwards: Gordon (three short-handed goals in two seasons in Arizona), Reider (three short-handed goals last season)

Defense: Grossmann (good size to stop forwards advancing), Michalek (veteran expert shot blocker)

Unit 2

Forwards: Richardson (can pressure puck carrier, tenacious player), Vermette (veteran who can move the puck)

Defense: Dahlbeck (good puck moving D-man), Murphy (big, hard hitting D-man)

To assemble a power play units for the Arizona Coyotes here’s what I came up with:

Unit 1

Left Wing: Domi Center: Hanzal Right Wing: Duclair

Points: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (All-Star with top skills) , Michalek (veteran who can get shot on net)

Unit 2

Left wing: Boedker Center: Vermette Right Wing: Rieder

Points: Grossmann, Doan

The power play first unit may surprise some, but the chemistry of Domi, and Duclair can’t be denied. With Hanzal using his size to dig pucks off the boards, Domi and Duclair’s speed, the unit will surprise some. Are they a little green?

Sure, between Domi and Duclair they have just 18 NHL games between them, but Hanzal is a seasoned veteran. Let’s just hope that Hanzal has healed up from his back surgery, and is ready to play more than a partial season. His abilities are needed badly for this team to succeed.

At the points for unit one will be covered by OEL and Michalek, who will keep pucks in the zone, and slap shots on net.

Unit two of the power play has the speed of Boedker and Rieder, plus the veteran leadership of Vermette. It should click enough to score some goals, and get the offense humming.

At the points for unit two will be newly acquired Grossmann and Captain Coyote Doan. This duo at the points will be aggressive at keeping the puck in the attack zone, and throwing shots on the opposing goalie. It will be intriguing to see what Grossmann can contribute to this team. They must have been high on him to sign him to a $3.5M contract for a year. He may be trying the team out, and the team may be trying him out to see if there is a fit on both sides.

My predictions:

The power play will finish just about where it did last season, which was very respectable. They just need to score more goals, period to stay in games for a chance to win.

The penalty kill should improve to maybe 20th, which will give them opportunity to win more games. The only issue here is what I’ve already stated — the issue of Downie, and Scott drawing excessive penalties. Everyone knows they’re both tough guys, there is no need to go out there looking for trouble, and putting the team short-handed to merely inflate their egos.

PLAY HOCKEY GUYS, CONCENTRATE OF WINNING, THE REST WILL BE FINE !

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