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Can The Arizona Coyotes Reach Playoffs Maintaining Status Quo?

By Scott Thompson

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 17: Head coach Rick Tocchet of the Arizona Coyotes looks on from the bench during a game against the Nashville Predators at Gila River Arena on October 17, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 17: Head coach Rick Tocchet of the Arizona Coyotes looks on from the bench during a game against the Nashville Predators at Gila River Arena on October 17, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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It is certainly possible that the Coyotes’ combination of its current roster and coaching staff have reached the top rung of their “maximum potential” ladder. Could a rebuild be in the organization’s future under Alex Meruelo?

It wasn’t long ago that the Arizona Coyotes were benefiting from some fantastic goalkeeping, some solid defensive play, and a buzzing, effective attack that gave opponents’ defenders fits.

The stacking of points, even against powerhouse clubs in their own buildings, was amazing. The addition of Taylor Hall seemed like the icing on the cake of the ‘Yotes’ playoff hopes, and things were looking cautiously optimistic.

Most recently, however, the Coyotes are playing as if they’re trying not to lose rather than trying to win. They’ve lost Darcy Kuember and Antti Raanta to injury, and even with the return of defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, their defense has been sloppy and inconsistent a great deal of time.

Poor passes within their own “D” zone have resulted in turnovers and effective counterattacks. A balance must be achieved between playing too conservatively and being just aggressive enough at the right times (situational hockey) to create and finish an effective attack.

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Many of the skillful offensive players’ scoring contributions have dried up, and when too many wells run dry at the same time, the thirst for wins increases but the energy isn’t there to carry a team through the looming tough times.

The talent-laden power-play unit (Hall, Kessel, Keller, Stepan, Schmaltz, Garland, Hinostroza) has been erratic and ineffective entering the zone, much less getting shots and scoring opportunities from initial shots or rebounds.

So what are the options available to change the status quo? Are trades on the horizon? That activity can either disrupt the chemistry of the incumbent group or enhance it. Who should be traded away, and is it just a short-term, knee-jerk panic move or will the Coyotes benefit from the trade down the road?

Will the Coyotes’ moves, or lack thereof, affect Taylor Hall’s ultimate decision to stay or seek greener pastures? Standing pat may indicate the ‘Yotes’ lack of commitment to winning in Hall’s eyes, and losing Hall would not be an effective solution.

Are the players aversive to Coach Tocchet’s philosophy and system of play? Have they simply stopped responding to his methods? Who decides, and how do you measure that metric?

While all these theories and possibilities swirl around the team and allow fans to engage one another in some friendly banter, the Coyotes are preparing on the ice and in meetings, as they should be, for their battle with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Let’s hope that the Desert Dogs rise to the occasion as the professionals they are on Saturday night, and continue to make their dedicated fans proud with a win. Let’s go Coyotes!

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