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Arizona Coyotes Domi-Duclair Impact – Reid Edition

By Chris Reid

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New writer Chris Reid offers his two bits on the impact of Max Domi and Anthony Duclair upon the Arizona Coyotes present and future.

Hello all, I am Chris Reid, the new kid on the block. I am batting clean-up in our Editor’s and Writer’s Round-Table. When Bill Grigsby (our editor) came to Adam and I with the idea of this project, I thought it was an inspired idea. What a great way for our stellar readers (that means you) to see how different we are in our opinions and views. Or, how similar, as the case may be. In the end, I think we all will agree the impact of  Max Domi and Anthony Duclair will be transcendent.

More from Howlin’ Hockey -> Arizona Coyotes Fan Poll: Max Domi VS. Anthony Duclair

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1) How do you think the Arizona Coyotes would be doing without Domi & Duclair?

Honestly, I think that the Arizona Coyotes would be in a world of hurt without the Killer D’s. I am already on record here on the impact of Duclair alone.

The speed, skill, and creativity that has been brought to the Coyotes has revolutionized the way Arizona can play the game. Not only these attributes, but the seemingly telepathic way the D’s can see the ice and the seams therein, which then elevates the team. A perfect example is the power play goal versus the New Jersey Devils:

Speed kills and Duclair uses his speed off the wing to blow by our old buddy Lee Stempniak of the Devils. As the Herb Brooks character would state repeatedly in the film Miracle:

“The legs feed the wolf, gentlemen”

It most certainly applies to the Arizona Coyotes because without the speed provided by the youngsters (including Tobias Rieder), the team would not be able to take advantage of the mismatches and mistakes of their opponent.

2) What is your prediction for goals scored, total points for each prospect?

I think that this is a tough question to answer. The pace by which they are tallying points is one that most likely cannot be continued for an entire 82 game season.

Domi is currently at a point a game (4G/6A) and Duclair has seven points (5G/2A) through ten games. Eventually, teams will scheme to take away what the D’s do best and it will become a struggle to score.

Yet, call me a homer, I think about what Teeme Selanne did as a rookie with the old Winnipeg Jets.

Scoring

Goals

Assists

Shots

Ice Time

Season

Age

Tm

Lg

GP

G

A

PTS

+/-

PIM

EV

PP

SH

GW

EV

PP

SH

S

S%

TSA

TOI

ATOI

FOwin

FOloss

FO%

HIT

BLK

TK

GV

Awards

1992-93

22

WIN

NHL

84

76

56

132

8

45

52

24

0

7

31

25

0

387

19.6

AS-1,Byng-10,Calder-1,Hart-6

76 goals, 56 assists and 132 points

That’s crazy, pie-in-the-sky, videogame numbers done by the Finnish Flash at the ripe old age of 22. On the very goal that Selanne broke Mike Bossy’s rookie scoring record the assist was made by Tie Domi, Max’s dad….It’s a small world.

So I think why not? Why can’t Domi or Duclair do something exceptional this year? They have the talent and ability.

Now, I am NOT going to state that Selanne’s record is in jeopardy but I think, at least one of the two will have a monster year.

My fearless prediction taken with a huge boulder of salt is:

Domi: 20 goals, 40 assists, 60 points

Duclair: 20 goals, 25 assists, 45 points

As I look at those numbers I must admit that they are lofty. I am a homer. But, I am also a dreamer and I am not the only one.

3) Do you think Hanzal’s play has been elevated by playing with Domi & Duclair?

I wrote a piece a week ago where I addressed the impact of Martin Hanzal upon the D’s and vice versa.

Of course, nothing happens in a vacuum, but I maintain the biggest boost to Hanzal’s play has been the health of Martin Hanzal himself. Outside of the lower body issue that kept the Czech out of the line-up recently he has played exceptionally well with the Kids and is leading the NHL in assists.

In a story by Sarah McLellan for AZCentral.com, the greatest gift that Hanzal gives to Domi and Duclair is his willingness to do the little things and the dirty work necessary to support the other two. Couple that with the veteran savvy that Hanzal possesses, it has become a win-win-win situation for them all and the Arizona Coyotes overall.

4) Where do you think each prospect will finish in rookie scoring in the NHL?

Of course, this is the year of the “Generational Players” Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. In addition to his getting ready to play for the Buffalo Sabres it seems Eichel also had some time in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. (Isn’t it Halloween soon?)

While it might be hard to overcome such star power, I do believe that both Domi and Duclair will be high on the rookie scoring list.

I believe that Domi will end up winning the Calder Trophy as the Rookie of the Year. The national and Canadian media would probably view that as an upset of sorts, but the buzz surrounding both Domi and Duclair is undeniable and broad.

Taking into account the scoring predictions I made earlier, I think both players will end up in the Top 5 for rookie scoring in the 2015/2016 season.

5) What is your expectation for the team in three to five years with the possible addition of other prospects like Dvorak, Perlini, Strome, and Merkley?

My expectation, for the rest of the NHL, in three-to-five years can be summed up simply as this:

Thank you Clubber Lang.

As always……… barring injury, Acts-of-God, skates to the face, etc. The Arizona Coyotes are poised upon a Golden Age of success.

After decades of ridicule and being put down by anyone outside of Arizona, it will be sweet revenge to see the loaded Coyotes take out the Chicago Blackhawks and the Quebec No-Names et al. I am so excited by what the future holds for the team, the Valley, and the NHL.

Hockey belongs in the desert. Hockey belongs in ARIZONA. I cannot wait to see a Stanley Cup parade down Central Avenue in Phoenix just like when the Diamondbacks won the 2001 World Series.

That is my expectation. And, soon it may not be just a dream, but reality.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Max Domi Scores In His Hometown Debut

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