Arizona Coyotes: Predicting 2016-17 Lineup (Forwards)
The preseason has begun for the Arizona Coyotes, and that means it’s evaluation time for Dave Tippett and the rest of the coaching staff. Who will make the team? What line combinations will emerge?
The Arizona Coyotes made a lot of changes to their offense this summer. An influx of new veterans and rookies should bring a faster, more skilled look to the lineup, but how will Dave Tippett choose to deploy his players?
Let’s take a look at the key additions and subtractions up front:
In: Jamie McGinn, Radim Vrbata, Ryan White
Out: Antoine Vermette, Mikkel Boedker, Boyd Gordon, Kyle Chipchura
As a longtime fan it is tough to see all four of these players go, but their departures have opened the door for the youth.
With as many as five or six new faces at forward, it will be interesting see who plays with whom.
Here are my predictions…
Max Domi (LW), Martin Hanzal (C), Anthony Duclair (RW)
Max Domi and Anthony Duclair proved last season that they belong on the same line. They are the backbone of the youth movement, and both will be counted on to improve this year.
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Their speed and skill was on display last season, and it often seemed to overwhelm opposing defenders. They need a big, smart center to complement their style of play.
Dylan Strome should be the Coyotes’ number one center someday, but for now there are a few reasons why Martin Hanzal is the best man for the job.
- He matches up well defensively against other big Pacific Division centers (Thornton, Getzlaf, Kopitar, Monahan)
- His high faceoff percentage (56% last year) will help generate possession for Domi and Duclair.
- This line was the Coyotes’ best last season. They averaged 3.57 goals per 60 minutes, good enough to be the 10th highest scoring line in the league.
Like the old saying says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” There is no learning curve for this line, and that should provide the Coyotes with some offensive stability to start the season.
Tobias Rieder (LW), Dylan Strome (C), Radim Vrbata (RW)
The second line is the perfect starting place for Dylan Strome. Sheltered minutes and better matchups should allow Strome to thrive and develop his game nicely throughout the season.
Strome is also the perfect playmaker to create scoring chances for Vrbata. It has been suggested that Vrbata could play on a line with Hanzal and Domi, but breaking up the Killer D’s and a line that has proven to be very effective would not be wise.
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Tobias Rieder has excelled in his first two seasons. A surprise roster addition in 2014, he has become a trusted two-way player and fan favorite. He adds speed to this line, and his ability to win puck battles along the boards should give time and space to Strome and Vrbata.
The only problem is that Rieder remains unsigned, so hopefully that gets resolved before the season begins.
Jamie McGinn (LW), Christian Dvorak (C), Shane Doan (RW)
Similar to Strome on the second line, Christian Dvorak will have the opportunity to start in a role that will allow him to grow into the NHL at his own pace. He is an excellent two-way player and excels in the faceoff circle (60% last year in the OHL).
Jamie McGinn was a strong addition by GM John Chayka. In addition to offense (22 goals last year), McGinn adds some grit and energy to this line. He is also a great net-front presence for deflections and rebounds.
We all know what Shane Doan can do. Along with McGinn, he brings steady, veteran leadership to this line that should help Dvorak immensely. He still has a great shot, and feeding off Dvorak’s energy should keep him productive the way Martinook did last year.
Jordan Martinook (LW), Brad Richardson (C), Ryan White (RW)
This line is all about energy.
Jordan Martinook is the speed and the skill on this line. A surprise addition to last year’s roster, Matinook quickly became one of Dave Tippett’s most trusted players. Expect him to improve on his goal total from last year.
A newcomer, Ryan White will be relied upon to wear down opponents with his physicality. His 208 hits were 23rd in the league last season and would have led the Coyotes. He also set a career high in goals with 11.
Meanwhile, Brad Richardson is coming off a career-high 31 points. However, his 15:37 average time on ice was the highest in his career. That could dip as Strome and Dvorak earn more ice time, but look to see this line a lot if the kids struggle early in the season.
Henrik Samuelsson (RW)
Henrik Samuelsson is often forgotten in the vast ocean of Coyotes prospects.
Drafted 27th overall in 2012, Samuelsson has put up decent numbers in the AHL, scoring 40 points in 68 games two years ago.
Missing a large portion of last season with injuries didn’t help his cause, but he has had a strong preseason so far. A big, right-handed power forward, he could develop nicely under Shane Doan’s tutelage.
Fortunately for the Coyotes, Tuscon is just down the road if he needs more seasoning or can’t find his way into the lineup.
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Who do you think will make the team, and where should they play?
Comment down below with your thoughts.