Arizona Coyotes News – 2015 Year Review
With 2015 coming to close, here’s some Arizona Coyotes memories from the year.
Who can forget how the wicked combination of Domi and Duclair dominated play? There was no doubt that Domi was headed to the NHL.
- 1/10/15 – Oliver Ekman-Larsson named to NHL All-Star game
OEL deserved to be playing in this game, and his performance last season tells everyone that he is a true All-Star.
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1/14/15 – Arizona Coyotes traded goalie Devan Dubnyk to Minnesota Wild for third round draft pick
This was a very controversial trade, in that Dubnyk had been playing so well. The Coyotes just decided to gut their roster, and start over. It was NOT a good trade, because Dubnyk went on to lead the Wild into the playoffs, and the Arizona Coyotes fell into mediocrity.
- 2/11/15 – Arizona Coyotes claimed Mark Arcobello off waivers
Arcobello played fairly well while with the team, but didn’t have a concept on how to play defense. Off he went to yet another team.
- 2/28/15 – Arizona Coyotes traded Antionne Vermette to Chicago for Klas Dahlbeck and a first round 2015 pick
In an effort to do a rebuild, Vermette got traded, and helped the Blackhawks win another Cup. What was ironic was Vermette signing back with Arizona. In effect, the Arizona Coyotes got both players back, plus a first round pick used to select a talented forward by the name of Nick Merkley.
The trade was a shocker, and told everyone that the rebuild was on in Arizona. Anthony Duclair has been a pleasant addition, but the team really misses Keith Yandle’s power play quarterbacking skills. Who knows, maybe he’ll re-sign with the Yotes.
The rebuild continued as Michalek was sent packing, and didn’t really helps the Blues much. Letunov is a good prospect who may be a promising future NHL player. Just as with the Vermette trade, Michalek (who loves playing here) re-signed with Arizona.
- 3/2/15 – In an effort to replenish the roster, the Coyotes claimed Craig Cunningham and Todd McGinn off waivers
These two players were just roster fillers, and McGinn didn’t last long, Cunningham was recently called up from the AHL to help with injuries to the team.
- 4/10/15 – Signed Ryan MacInnis to a three-year entry level contract
Another young prospect who has some potential, adding to the long list of talent being developed by the Coyotes.
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- 4/17/15 – Announced new affiliation with AHL Springfield Falcons
The entire Portland Pirates coaching staff was relieved of their duties, as the team signed an agreement with Springfield.
This kid has some talent, and will probably be on the starting roster next year. He is currently tearing up the OHL with 65 points in just 27 games. Watch this kid, he’s going to be special. He plays a good two-way game, which will impress Dave Tippett.
- 4/18/15 – Arizona Coyotes drew the third draft position in the NHL draft lottery
This was a huge disappointment, due to the fact that the Coyotes had better odds than Edmonton, who won the first overall draft pick.
- 5/28/15 – Signed forward Matthias Plachta to a three entry level contract
Plachta has been a disappointment in the AHL, scoring just five points in 30 games. He did get called up to the Coyotes briefly, but without any success.
- 6/10/15 – Arizona Coyotes released statement regarding City of Glendale’s plans to cancel lease agreement for Gila River arena
In what commenced as a bitter battle, the Arizona Coyotes reacted to the city of Glendale’s plans to not honor their lease agreement with the team.
- 6/10/15 – Arizona Coyotes took legal action against the city of Glendale in response to their plan to cancel the arena lease
A temporary restraining order was filed by the team, and it seemed a long and involved legal battle was about to begin.
- Hired Ron Ralston as the new head coach of the AHL Springfield Falcons
Ralston coached the Buffalo Sabres for 51 games, and also coached the Sabres’ AHL affiliate Rochester Americans.
- Arizona Coyotes unveiled their new uniforms/jerseys at the NHL draft party held at Gila River arena
The uniforms got rave reviews, and unveiling them at the draft party was a good idea. Everyone had a blast, including yours truly.
This was a good trade, in that Korpi was just not getting it done, and Gordon is an excellent penalty killer and face-off expert.
This was move to try to help the forward line, and Richardson is a tough, gritty performer who has been playing alongside Shane Doan for the most part. He has been a good addition to the team.
- 7/1/15 – Signed Zbynek Michalek to a two-year free agent contract
Michalek must love it here. This is his third go around here in the Valley of the Sun.
- 7/1/15 – Signed Anders Lindback as backup goalie
Lindback has been an up and down performer so far, filling in for Mike Smith when he got yanked. He was supposed to take over the starting role when Smith went down with an injury, but Louis Domingue might have something to say about that.
This was a strange signing, in that Downie was the most penalized player in the NHL last season, and the Coyotes weren’t exactly great at killing penalties.
- Signed Center Antionne Vermette to a two-year free agent contract
Vermette was a third line center with the Blackhawks, and he is a first or second line center with the Arizona Coyotes. He loves being back in Arizona again, but so far he really hasn’t performed as expected. He needs to pick it up a notch or two.
- 7-6-15 – Signed third overall draft selection Dylan Strome to a three-year entry level contract
Strome almost made the final roster out of training camp, but the management decided (as they did with Max Domi) that Strome needs to build up his body to NHL standards, and so far he is killing it in the OHL again this year — without Connor McDavid on his team.
To this day, this signing is baffling. What is even more baffling is the cult like following that Scott has acquired. He is actually leading the All-Star voting, after being waived three times this season. Go figure…
- 7/20/15 – Signed defenseman Klas Dahlbeck, and forward Jordan Martinook to one and two-year contracts respectively.
Dahlbeck is a big, strong blue liner whom the team has high hopes for. He leads the team in hits, and is getting better every game. Martinook, won a roster spot out of training camp using pure hustle and fortitude.
The resolution was the city wanted their way out of the 15 year lease agreement they signed in good faith. The Arizona Coyotes agreed instead to a two year lease, which in affect will buy them time to find a new home to play NHL hockey. The way the city treated them, it’s no wonder. Good luck finding a tenant to the arena now…it’s doubtful that the Westgate area will survive this huge blunder by city elected officials.
- 8/5/15 – Arizona Coyotes and ASU signed an agreement to play four ASU hockey games at Gila River arena
This just shows the excellent relationship between the two parties. It has been rumored that when the Coyotes move they could investigate a possible sharing of an arena in the Tempe area. Seems to work out best for both parties.
- 8/6/15 – Signed defenseman Brandon Gormley to a one-year two way contract
This was pegged as a preliminary move to move Gormley.
- 8/20/15 – Signed forward Christian Fischer to a three-year entry level contract
Fischer, who was the Coyotes’ 32nd overall selection in the NHL draft. Fischer has 40 points in 33 games this season with the OHL Windsor Spitfires. Another young forward who the Coyotes covet for their future.
Gormley just ran out of time to prove himself, and Elliott has been a good fill-in blue-liner for the Coyotes. Good trade.
- 9/18/15 – Signed Stefan Elliott to a one-year two way contract
Having that right handed defenseman has really helped, especially when Michalek has missed games due to injury.
Strome just needs one more year of play in the OHL, and he will be more than ready next season. Just like what GM Don Maloney did with Max Domi’s development, he is doing the same thing with Strome. He’s absolutely dominating in the OHL with 53 points in 25 games, and has four points in three games at the WJC. Just imagine next season with young studs like Domi, Duclair, Strome, Dahlbeck, and Dvorak skating for the Yotes. Can’t wait for that!
He’s back… and playing fairly well at that. Good pickup by GMDM.
- 12/15/15 – Traded forward Lucas Lessio to Montreal for forward Christian Thomas
Sounds like a good trade, and so far Thomas has two points in five games with the Springfield Falcons.
Next: Arizona Coyotes Top Reasons They Won’t Make Playoffs
That about covers all the Arizona Coyotes news for the year 2015. Keep following howlinhockey.com for all the Arizona Coyotes news and action.
The team is in the midst of a playoff run, and last season is just a bad memory.
LISTEN TO ASSISTANT-EDITOR ADAM PIERCE’S PODCAST APPEARANCE ON FIVE FOR FIGHTING ON SPORTSTOWNCHICAGO.COM PRIOR TO THE BLACKHAWKS GAME: