How to spread out the Arizona Coyotes forward depth

Maybe I am overacting here, but the Arizona Coyotes need to spread out their forwards a little more. It’s not that I disagree with their current lines, but I do. The Coyotes were for the most part playing with just one line throughout much of the first game of the season and that needs to change.

Some of the best teams in the past few years have had multiple lines. Whether it be the Tampa Bay Lightning and their amazing depth, or the Chicago Blackhawks winning 3 Stanley Cups by separating Toews and Kane to create one of the deadliest one two punches in the NHL. The NHL is a league based on consistent scoring.

I am not saying a team can not succeed by just relying on one line. The Colorado Avalanche did that last year and made it to the playoffs. I am just saying that the Coyotes need to “Share the Wealth” when it comes to putting pucks in the net. (I have always wanted to quote the game of life in an article!)

If you did not see the Coyotes first game no worries! We have a full list of takeaways from the Coyotes loss to the Ducks, and will provide you with the forward units from the game.

With all that in mind here is how I would like to set up the Coyotes forward lines.

Line 1 :  CONOR GARLAND – DEREK STEPAN – PHIL KESSEL

I wanted to keep the top line relatively the same. Having Stepan and Kessel together will help the team in the long run. These two skilled players can develop more chemistry and can play off of each other. Garland would also gain some experience playing on the top line for the Coyotes. Last season Garland only average about 12:47 minutes of ice time a game so this would definitely be a step up for him. Considering the ‘Yotes signed him to a two year contract extension they are going to want to help Garland develop.

Line 2 : CLAYTON KELLER – CARL SODERBERG – NICK SCHMALTZ

I want Clayton Keller on the same line as Nick Schmaltz. Yes, Keller can still jump up to the top line every once and a while but this would be a very dominant offensive line. I would like to put Fischer on the same line with Keller and Schmaltz but I just don’t think Schmaltz is ready to step into a center role. He had a horrible average in the face-off dot last year. There is no reason to rush him into anything.

Line 3 : VINNIE HINOSTROZA – CHRISTIAN DVORAK – CHRISTIAN FISCHER

Vinnie Hinostroza is 25, Christian Dvorak is 23, and Christian Fischer is 22. The Arizona Coyotes are in good hands going forward. I want to see this line. They are young fast and skilled. The Coyotes need to hope that these young players can develop into something more for the Coyotes. The hope in winning a Stanley Cup does not hinge on Clayton Keller or Phil Kessel it is the depth scoring they are hoping to have with it.

Line 4 : MICHAEL GRABNER – BRAD RICHARDSON – LAWSON CROUSE

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For the fourth line I have a shut down line. Brad Richardson has found a home on the Coyotes penalty kill. On the fourth line he can help center a unit that is made to defend the Coyotes own zone. Grabner is not an offensive machine either, and in 41 games with the Coyotes last year he had 31 take aways.

Obviously my ideal forward units are filled with a lot of optimism for the team moving forward. Let’s hope that the Coyotes can get 4 solid lines rolling throughout the season and into the playoffs soon.