The Arizona Coyotes got a healthy dose of production last season from rookies Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. Will the sequel live up to the hype of the original?
If you’re an Arizona Coyotes fan, the display of skill and exuberance presented by Max Domi and Anthony Duclair in 2015-16 was like the team emerging from the wilderness.
It’s been a few years since the Coyotes were relevant, despite the best efforts of Shane Doan and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but it seems a little new blood goes a long way.
Thanks to these young stars and a few more in the pipeline, a White-Out may be returning to Glendale sooner than you’d think.
Domi (18 goals and 34 assists) and Duke (20 goals and 24 assists) combined to score 96 points last season.
That’s quite an impact for two players who weren’t 100% guaranteed to be on the roster in preseason training camp.
Year two, however, introduces the age old discussion about the “sophomore slump”. Can we expect to see one for the Killer D’s?
In growth and effectiveness on the ice? I don’t think so. In numbers? It’s a distinct possibility.
Anthony Duclair, in particular, is a prime candidate for regression after posting a 19% shooting percentage last season. That’s a high number, and replication seems unlikely. If Duke gets a little more aggressive, however…
Of the pair, Domi would appear to be the most regression proof.
Max generated a healthy amount of shots, contributed on the power play and at 5-on-5. By the end of the season Domi had earned enough of Dave Tippett’s trust to be deployed on the penalty kill.
Now that he’s experienced a full year of NHL hockey and has had an offseason to prepare his body for the 82-plus game season, it’s fair to assume we might see a more complete, two-way player in Domi in 2016-17.
Arizona Coyotes News and Links
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Arizona Coyotes prospect Brendan Perlini’s development hasn’t gone as planned since being drafted 12th overall, but it’s not time to write him off just yet.
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Might the Coyotes host a Stadium Series game or Winter Classic in the future?
Coyotes Goaltending Situation — Howlin’ Hockey
Puck Prose
The goalie position has always been one the Arizona Coyotes have struggled with. With trades, injuries, slumps and mental breakdowns, its one of the Coyotes weakest points.
Coyotes COO Ari Segal confident for new season — Five For Howling
Ari Segal is not new to a non-traditional market in hockey. He made the Gulls thrive, but what about the Roadrunners and Coyotes?
Arizona Coyotes 21 under 21 – #16 – Cam Dineen — Five For Howling
Cam Dineen is another defensive prospect worth watching closely next season.
Other Local Sports
Tyrann Mathieu ‘felt great’ in training camp debut Sunday — Arizona Sports
Tyrann Mathieu, who was taken off the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday, practiced for the first time this training camp Sunday afternoon.
Arizona Cardinals offense a concern? — Raising Zona
The Arizona Cardinals offense has yet to click through two preseason games.
Dansby Swanson’s arrival a cruel twist for Diamondbacks — AZCentral.com
As if the Diamondbacks’ season hasn’t been miserable enough, a cruel twist of the baseball schedule will bring shortstop Dansby Swanson to Chase Field Monday night for the start of his first road trip in the major leagues.
Next: Coyotes (And Fans) Should Not Give Up On Brendan Perlini
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