Could The Arizona Coyotes Retain their 1st Round Pick?
Before I get started, I have to say. I’m from Phoenix, I’ve lived in Phoenix for about 25 years now, and I support the Arizona Coyotes as much as I can.
With that said, I’m sorry this team just isn’t very good. The Coyotes have a Corsi of 48.18, which is well, horrible. That tells us they let their opponent control the puck way too much in their own zone.
Let’s go deeper into the Advanced Analytics. (All stats recorded by NaturalStatTrick.com) The Coyotes are 6th worst in Scoring Chances percentage in the league at 47.23%. Again, scary stat. The Arizona Coyotes goalies have been forced to stand on their heads for the most part.
Last, when it comes to High Danger Scoring chances, (according to natuaralstattrick.com) the Coyotes are the 5th worst team in the league. So this fall by the Coyotes recently. This recent skid that’s been going on for about a couple of months, might be the real product.
Combine that with, as pointed by one of our contributors recently, a really bad schedule. Could the Coyotes actually tank for a top 3 pick? Well, everywhere Taylor Hall goes, he somehow figures out a way to win the lottery. Also, Jakob Chychrun is hurt too. The Coyotes have games in hand on everybody.
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Now, let’s talk about the standings. The Coyotes have games in hand on everybody below them except the Red Wings and Canadiens. Those two have played the same amount of games as the Coyotes. The Red Wings, on one hand, can’t chase down the Coyotes no matter what, because well, 40 points. That’s why. Montreal on the other hand, they’re only three points back. So Montreal could finish ahead of the Coyotes.
Minnesota, Buffalo, and New Jersey. They all have three games in hand on the Coyotes. That’s pretty good. If each team wins those games in hand, that’s only three points of separation between that team being the Devils. Buffalo and Minnesota would be finishing ahead of them.
Last but not least, let’s talk about Chicago. They have two games in hand on the Coyotes. They’re six points back of the Coyotes. You know what, they could also pass the Coyotes too. Although Chicago is 3-7-0 in their last 10, so I don’t think it’s likely.
Could it also be best for the organization at this point too? Picture this now, the Coyotes get the top 3 pick, in a very good draft. What if that top 3 pick is NHL ready next year? You then have Hayton who is progressing. You have Dvorak, Crouse, Keller, Schmaltz, and Garland. That’s a pretty good core if all those live up to their potential. Then you have Victor Soderstrom, who according to a scout I talked to the other day, could spend one more year in Sweden, but wouldn’t be shocked if the Coyotes rush him.
Last, Taylor Hall, I highly doubt the Coyotes gave up as much as they gave up for him without just to rent him. I’ve gotta think somewhere in the back of John Chayka’s mind, he wants to make a pitch. And I actually believe if the Coyotes would win a lottery pick, that would be a part of the pitch to convince Hall to stay. Along with all the other great prospects, the Coyotes have coming along. Did I mention, the Coyotes AHL team the Roadrunner’s have been good this year too?