Arizona Coyotes: An Outlook On The Defense
By Alex Temes
Arizona Coyotes Current Roster
The current roster is filled with young, relatively strong talent.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson will obviously be returning next season to lead the defensive corps, possibly as the team’s captain should Shane Doan decide to retire at season’s end.
Beyond that, the only certainty in returning defenseman is Zbynek Michalek, whose contract is still on the hook until the end of the 2017 season. Michael Stone, Connor Murphy, Kevin Connauton, Jarred Tinordi and Klas Dahlbeck are all restricted free agents (RFAs). On top of that, Nicklas Grossman is the lone unrestricted free agent (UFA) on the roster.
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Sorting out who should stay on new contracts and who should walk is a complicated process. Based on Tinordi recently being suspended for violating the NHL’s drug policy, I believe it can safely be assumed that GM Don Moloney lets that him hit free agency. After that, rest of the roster needs some serious evaluation.
Connor Murphy, Kevin Connauton and Michael Stone seem to be likely candidates for decent NHL contracts. All three have been given extra power play time since OEL’s injury, which has sidelined the Coyotes stalwart defenseman for several games.
Moreover, Murphy’s play is reminiscent of teammate Nicklas Grossman, who is known for blocking shots and being defensively accountable.
Connauton, to me, seems like a missing piece the Coyotes have been needing for some time. Since Keith Yandle‘s departure last season, the Coyotes have attempted to find a second defenseman who can effectively handle the blue line on the power play. I feel Connauton has filled this void for the most part.
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As for Michael Stone, he seems like the most obvious of all the Coyotes’ RFA d-men for a resign because he has been consistently growing in every phase of his game. He’s developed his skills in puck handling, speed and skating agility, all of which are reflected in his increased ice time this season.
Another, slightly weaker case for resigning is Klas Dahlbeck. The organization has noted some talent in Dahlbeck’s game they want to continue to employ.
After those four, the rest of the Coyotes’ defensive platoon seem like their days in Glendale might be numbered.
Nicklas Grossman appears to be a likely free agency departure. The ridiculous trade that banished ‘All-Star’ John Scott to the far reaches of Newfoundland yielded Jarred Tinordi, who at the time seemed like an unreasonably good return for an aging NHL brawler.
But then we all found out Jarred Tinordi used a ‘banned substance’ and as Mr. Mackey in South Park tells us…
Let’s take a look at the defensemen in the pipeline next:
Next: Defensemen In Development