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Arizona Coyotes 3 Players Who Must Perform In 2015-16

By William Grigsby |
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As another Arizona Coyotes’ season starts, these three players will be in the spotlight

Every NHL team has a core of at least three players who take command of the team’s fortunes, and keep them competitive. They may be scorers, or shut-down defensemen, or a goalie who dominates. They are the central nervous system of the team, and without them the team starts to shutdown, or falter endlessly.

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They are the players who pull a team back into a playoff race, with their skills and locker room pep talks. They lift up the younger players, trying to make their way into the league. They never say die, and always come through in the tough spots. It could be a five-minute penalty kill, or a power play goal with seconds left on the clock. They live and breathe performance, and ‘pressure’ is just word to them.

The following will entail whom these players are for this new and upcoming season, about to begin for the Arizona Coyotes on October 10th, against the nemesis Los Angeles Kings. No love lost between these two teams, and these three players know that their performance needs to be there to allow the Coyotes to win this, and any other game they play.

Let’s begin…

Next: First Player

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

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

After last season many are saying OEL IS the team, and that is an astute observation. After the Keith Yandle trade, Oliver took over as the go-to-guy on the blue-line, leading the team in scoring with 23 goals, and 20 assists. What’s even more evident that he is THE team-leader, is his power play numbers. Of his 23 goals, 10 were on the power play, and of his 20 assists, 10 were also on the man advantage. That means 47% of his points were on the power play! Other teams need to take note of that statistic when they take a silly penalty, and see OEL out there on the power play.

More from Howlin’ Hockey -> Arizona Coyotes MVP This Season: Oliver Ekman-Larsson

OEL also led the team in shots on goal with 264, far ahead of his closest competitors, Shane Doan and Tobias Rieder who both had 189. That comes to 3.21 shots a game. He also played an amazing 25:13 minutes per game. Considering the game is 60 minutes long (barring overtime) that is 41% of the game he out there skating, each and every game!

Will he continue this pace, and perhaps even step it up another notch? I don’t see why not. And, frankly the Swedish wonder is improving at a remarkable rate.

Of course, he could use a comparable right-handed blue-line companion to allow him to be even more dangerous out on the ice. So, far it may look like Michael Stone will get that assignment, but GM Don Maloney has mentioned (without any actual action yet) that they want to add a right side defenseman to complement their star rear-guard. It just hasn’t happened YET. Hey, Don there’s this D-man by the name of Cody Franson, who is STILL a free agent. Maybe give him a call…just sayin’.

Look for Oliver Ekman-Larsson to have a banner year again, and be included in the annual NHL All-Star game. He’s showing the league he is a force to be reckoned with every time he steps out on the ice…

all 25:13 minutes of EVERY GAME.

Next: Second Player

Mike Smith

Oct 15, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) stretches prior to the game against the Edmonton Oilers at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

A lot has been written (myself included) and discussed about Mike Smith’s horrible season last year. We all know he has the largest contract on the team signing a deal worth $5.667 million per year until 2018-19.

No one needs to tell him that he needs to get back to his career statistics of: GAA = 2.67, SV% = .912, and 27 shutouts. His numbers last season were not a glimpse of that: W = 14, L = 42, OTL = 5, GAA = 3.16, SV% = .904.

That sounds like doom and gloom, but Smitty actually showed some more ‘normal’ numbers at the IIHF, where he dominated. Then, towards the last part of the season last year, he picked his game up to end on a good note. His confidence was restored, and hopefully hiring his old mentor goalie coach, Jon Elkin will get his head screwed on correctly.

Every NHL expert, fan, or even casual fan, knows that if a goalie isn’t right, it really affects the team’s performance. I relate it to a MLB pitcher, who can dominate, or throw his team into the depths of depression with just one pitch in the wrong location, or speed.

Mike Smith HAS to perform this season, No ifs, ands, or buts about it! He has the skills, and with his mentor back in his life (and Sean Burke gone) he should improve. But, the Arizona Coyotes don’t just want him to improve, they want the Mike Smith from 2011-12, who dominated between the pipes, and dared shooters to score on him.

With the improved defense, and younger D-men getting more experience; especially with two excellent shot blockers in Gordon (80) and Michalek (160), Mike Smith’s play will elevate accordingly. And, if it doesn’t…well, I’m not sure of what will happen then?

Next: Last Player

Mikkel Boedker

March 4, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Vancouver Canucks goalie Eddie Lack (31) blocks a shot against Phoenix Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) during the third period at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Boedker missed 37 games last season, or 45% of the season due to surgery requiring the removal of his spleen. He has recovered from the surgery, and is ready for action once again. Will he be a bit rusty? Sure, I think that training camp will assist him into getting back to the full jet-like speed he possesses.

So, it goes without saying that with his health being recovered, this season is vital to Boedker’s future with the Arizona Coyotes. He was a bit resistant to signing a contract for more than one year, with the uneasy situation created by the City of Glendale’s lease with the team to use Gila River arena. He also wanted a multi-year contract that GM Don Maloney just didn’t feel comfortable offering the Great Dane at this time.

Now, if Boedker plays up to expectations, then GM Maloney can sit down with him to discuss another contract. Until then, Mikkel needs to prove to management that he is worthy of a multi-year contract for more money than the $3.75 million deal he just agreed to recently.

It was a disappointment that Boedker had the injury, seeing as how he was off to a great start, with 14 goals, 14 assists. His hat-trick against the Oilers was just a glimpse of what this young player can accomplish. I was at that game, and it was early in the season, but Boedker’s speed was a thing of beauty to watch.

He needs to put it all together this season, and along with OEL’s continued improvement on the blue-line, and Mike Smith’s revival in the net, this team can make some noise.

Then again, if that doesn’t happen, look for a revamp in the front office of some sort. Maloney and/or Tippett could be looking for work

 

Next: Arizona Coyotes' Mikkel Boedker's One-Year Contract

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