Arizona Coyotes 2016-17 Unrestricted Free Agents List Long

Oct 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) celebrates his second period goal with teammates on the bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the home opener at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With the season just 31 games old, looking to next season the Arizona Coyotes unrestricted free agents list for 2016-17 is lengthy.

With eight starters, and one guy who’s been waived twice going into unrestricted free agency status after the season ends, the Arizona Coyotes need to evaluate who to keep, and who to let go. This is where General Manager Don Maloney, and Head Coach Dave Tippett need to earn their money. It’s not easy to make the type of decisions necessary to bring success to the hockey club, but it is vital that the correct players stay, and the players not doing that well —  leave.

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Or, looking at it financially (it is a business after all) which players fit into the budget given Maloney by the ownership group, and which contracts they need to distance themselves from.

Howlin’ Hockey will take a look at each player in this slide show to give you an idea of what must be considered in order to make these decisions. Since this is an editorial, you may or may not agree with my synopsis. But, that’s the fun of being an editor…you’re allowed (within limits) to give your opinion.

So, here goes…

Next: UFA #1

Oct 30, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) looks on during the face off during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

#1  Shane Doan

We all know that Captain Coyote, Shane Doan is nearing the end of his career. And, he was the first to express that when he feels he is not contributing anymore, he will know it’s time to hang up his skates. He missed nine games due to a nagging lower-body injury, and he knows as he ages recovering from injuries will not be like when he was in his twenties.

Yet, he has also stated that he doesn’t want to go to another team, even if it means he may have a chance to hoist the CUP. He defines loyalty. His dedication is unfailing.

His current salary against the cap is $4.55 million. Although usually a slow starter, this season he has six goals, five assists in 22 games. The injury did slow down his momentum, and in the game last night against the Blue Jackets he uncharacteristically turned over the puck which led to a Columbus goal by their captain, Nick Foligno. It was a painful play for Doaner. He takes it personally, and yet he fights on for a better outcome.

It is still up in the air what Doan will do about next season. Does he play? Does he retire? If he does decide to play, will it be with the Arizona Coyotes, or will he abandon ship for a chance to win it all? All tough questions to answer, and if I had a crystal ball (they ran out at Walmart…) I could tell you.

He will probably wait until near the end of this season to make his decision. In one respect, he would be missed immensely, but then if he does decide to play elsewhere wherever he goes that team will get one heck of a hockey player.

Prediction: Doan will retire, and be given a front office position… say assistant to the GM?

Next: UFA #2

Nov 28, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) scores his third goal on the night for a hat trick on Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) during the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

#2  Mikkel Boedker

When Mikkel Booker signed a one-year $3.75 million contract under speculation that he was tired of the City of Glendale arena lease circus, fans were concerned that the Great Dane would be playing elsewhere. Negotiations to extend his contract will begin next month, and it will be interesting to see what the Arizona Coyotes offer him. He has stepped up thus far this season, as any NHL player does when he is trying to get a better contract.

His 11 goals, 12 assists in 31 games has him leading the team in goals, and second to Max Domi in scoring.

If the Arizona Coyotes fall out of playoff contention (they are 11th in the Western Conference as of this writing), the team could very well look to see what he could bring in the trade market.

The one-year deal was the best Boedker could do at the time, and he commented to Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona:

“I’m open for anything,” he said. “It obviously puts a lot of pressure on me this season but I think it’s their turn to show what I mean to the team. In some ways, it will be interesting to see, but I have to perform on the ice. It doesn’t help if I’m just another guy on the ice. You have to prove that you are something important for the team. I’m hoping to come back stronger than ever and make an impact.”

To me that means he will want in upwards of $5 million a year, and in the open market, he may just get it.

Prediction: With the added speed of Domi, Duclar, and Rieder Boedker may be expendable. He may go to the Canadians in a trade.

Next: UFA #3

Oct 30, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Boyd Gordon (15) and Vancouver Canucks center Henrik Sedin (33) face-off during the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

#3  Boyd Gordon

With only two points in 31 games, center Boyd Gordon wasn’t brought in for his scoring prowess. He is a face-off expert, and is at 55 per cent so far this season. His Corsi is a below average 44.8, but is always a tough competitor. He was brought in to help increase the Arizona Coyotes poor possession numbers. Their Corsi last season was 23rd, at 48.6%. This season with Gordon, they are not much better at 48.2%.

Puck Prose

So, is Boyd Gordon earning his $3 million salary? Not sure. He was part of the “re-grouping” effort that saw Antione Vermette, and Zbynek Michalek join the team again. And, that was the best the team could do? They needed centers, and Vermette is just now starting to play better. Michalek has been shell-shocked so much with shots, that he might as well don goalie equipment. He has missed games due to injuries, and may be starting to slow down.

For Gordon, he may have seen his worth after this season. The $3 million salary can be spent on the up and coming young prospects, like Tobias Rieder who becomes a restricted free agent next season, along with Connor Murphy, and Klas Dahlbeck.

It’s simple math, Gordon’s minuses outweighs his pluses.

Prediction: Gordon’s contract will not be renewed, and he will become a free agent.

Next: UFA #4

Dec 8, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Steve Downie (17) scores a goal past St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) during the first period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

#4  Steve Downie

Steve Downie was a surprise free agent acquisition of the Arizona Coyotes when he signed a one-year $1.75 million contract with the team. Be assured he is a tough guy with a capital “T”. He likes to get into scraps whenever the need arises. He has two goals, three assists in 21 games thus far this season. He has played a much more controlled game, by averaging just 1.62 penalty minutes a game compared to 3.31 last season, when he led the NHL in time in the box.

Even though the Arizona Coyotes thought he would add toughness to the lineup, it really hasn’t aided them in winning games. Downie plays the way he plays, and adding him to a team who had penalty killing issues last season, didn’t seem to make much sense. Even with his more toned down style of play this season, it is doubtful that he added much to the team, or their success.

Prediction: Steve Downie will seek other opportunities, and the Arizona Coyotes won’t be one of them.

Next: UFA #5

Nov 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) and Arizona Coyotes center Kyle Chipchura (24) battle for position on the ice in the first period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

#5  Kyle Chipchura

Chipchura has been a fourth line dweller most of his career, but he does it well with toughness and grit. He helps kill penalties, and gets into the corners when the need arises. He serves his purpose well, and if the team does part ways with Steve Downie, they will need to keep Chipchura on for his fighting abilities, although that “art” is becoming more and more a lost necessity in the league.

Chipchura’s game is physical and he averages over one hit a game. He will be needed to keep the team from getting pushed around by teams like the Kings and Ducks, whose game it is to intimidate their opponent. Kyle won’t have any of that. He’s a grinder, and a key player on this team.

Prediction: The Arizona Coyotes will sign Chipchura to a multi-year deal in the range of $1.3 million a year.

Next: UFA #6

Dec 17, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Viktor Tikhonov (9) looks on during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

#5  Viktor Tikhonov

Tikhonov came to the Arizona Coyotes via the waiver wire, a specialty of General Manager Don Maloney. He scored his first NHL goal in the game last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was the first time he lit the lamp in the NHL since July of 2009. He has potential with his speed and goal scoring abilities to prove himself this season, in hopes of getting signed to another contract next season. His current salary of $1.04 million is reasonable, and if he performs well, he can expect a bump to that salary level.

He’s been teamed up with Max Domi, and the speed and playmaking abilities of those two together is something to watch. He is starting to fit in with the team and is getting more minutes than when he was with the Blackhawks. He may have the skating ability the team needs to continue with their goal of using speed to defeat their opponents.

Prediction: Depending on his continued improved play, he will be re-signed by the Arizona Coyotes.

Next: UFA #7

Oct 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Nicklas Grossmann (2) fights Pittsburgh Penguins left wing David Perron in the first period during the home opener at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

#8  Nicklas Grossmann

Grossman has been a pleasant surprise this season. He has three goals, three assists in 24 games, and likes to hit people. His 46 hits in 24 games shows he is a physical defenseman. He was teamed up with Connor Murphy until Head Coach Dave Tippett tried Murphy alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson in the Blue Jackets game. Grossman was teamed up with Michael Stone in this game.

In trading away Sam Gagner to the Flyers, Grossman has been a stable, strong performer on the Coyotes blue line. Head Coach Dave Tippett likes him, and he played for Tippett in Dallas previously. He’s a big body, and hard to push off the puck. He should shoot the puck more often. He possesses a 21.4 per cent shooting percentage, and is averaging 18:24 of playing time a game.

He will be good to keep on the roster to supplement the blue-line.

Prediction: Grossman will sign a two-three year extension and stay with the Coyotes.

Next: UFA #9

Nov 28, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Anders Lindback (29) defends during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

#9  Anders Lindback

Lindback’s debut as the new starter taking over for injured Mike Smith didn’t go too well. He got yanked after giving up four goals on 10 shots (what’s he trying to do, be like Mike?). Two of those goals were actually not his fault, as the defense left him out to dry by allowing the slot area to be free access to the Blue Jacket scorers.

Lindback’s salary at $.875 million is reasonable, but if he doesn’t play better than last night (and he is capable of doing so) then his tenure may end sooner than he anticipated. Every goalie has a bad game, but for it to happen to Anders on his first game as the starter is not good news. He gave up five goals in a 5-2 setback last month in Columbus, and if thinks things will improve on Saturday night when the Arizona Coyotes face the tough Eastern Conference New York (Brooklyn) Islanders, he had better think again.

His play, along with the sieve-like defense in front of him had better improve pronto, if they wish to not lose another game at home. This home-stand is important to get this team going, and so far they are 1-1-1, with only three points out of a possible six to show for their efforts.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Could Use Center Ryan Johansen

As far as Lindback goes, he may still be a backup. Louis Domingue who came in to relieve him stopped eight of 10 shots, but it was a poor defensive game overall which was the culprit in the Blue Jackets game. If Lindback improves, I can see the team making an offer to have him stay onboard. The best way he can get the taste of the last horrible game out of his mouth, is to come out and play well.

Prediction: It’s 50-50 as to whether he plays well enough to stay on the team next season. They may get another goalie to improve the team, and Lindback will not be included. I see him being let go.