Arizona has been on a hot streak since the break. Currently 3-0-3, and recently beating the Tampa Bay Lightning, it has been a welcomed change of pace. Other types of change are on the horizon however, as the team is rumored to be close to moving Jakob Chychrun and potentially could move players such as Lawson Crouse, Ghost, Karel Vejmelka, and Nick Bjugstad. With speculation running rampant, we decided to look ahead at the unrestricted free agents (UFAs) that will be available in the offseason.
This team needs a threefold talent infusion this upcoming offseason. The right mix of defense, veteran leadership from players who have been there before, and low-risk young talent with potential could ideally land this team in the thick of the playoff hunt next season. Also keeping in mind the Coyotes’ penchant for not spending vast amounts in free agency, we aimed to find players who will fit the financial bill as well. We run it back with two former Coyote defensemen and also selected two veteran goalies in the event Vejmelka or Ingram, or both, are gone.
Here is one UFA from each team that the Coyotes should give a hard look at this offseason:
Anaheim Ducks
John Klingberg, D
Career Stats: 599 GP, 78 G, 316 A, 394 Pts, -37 +/-, 51.7 CF%
Boston Bruins
Nick Foligno, LW
Career Stats: 1,076 GP, 214G, 310 A, 524 Pts, 6 +/-, 50.6 CF%
Buffalo Sabres
Ben Bishop, G
Career Stats: 413 GP, 222 W, 2.32 GAA, .921 SV
Calgary Flames
Michael Stone, D
Career Stats: 550 GP, 40 G, 104 A, 144 Pts, -47 +/-, 48.9 CF%
Carolina Hurricanes
Calvin de Haan, D
Career Stats: 566 GP, 21 G, 110 A, 131 Pts, 7 +/-, 50.9 CF%
Chicago Blackhawks
Andreas Athanasiou, C
Career Stats: 431 GP, 117 G, 99 A, 216 Pts, -92 +/-, 47.2 CF%
Colorado Avalanche
Evan Rodrigues, C
Career Stats: 359 GP, 64 G, 91 A, 155 Pts, -28 +/-, 52.9 CF%
Columbus Blue Jackets
Vladislav Gavrikov, D
Career Stats: 256 GP, 15 G, 58 A, 73 Pts, -23 +/-, 46.5 CF%
Dallas Stars
Joe Pavelski, C
Career Stats: 1,225 GP, 435 G, 539 A, 974 Pts, 176 +/-, 54.6 CF%
Detroit Red Wings
Jake Walman, D
Career Stats: 112 GP, 9 G, 13 A, 22 Pts, 6 +/-, 50.4 CF%
Edmonton Oilers
Mattias Janmark, C
Career Stats: 460 GP, 70 G, 103 A, 173 Pts, -18 +/-, 49.6 CF%
Florida Panthers
Radko Gudas, D
Career Stats: 659 GP, 33 G, 123 A, 156 Pts, 64 +/-, 52.1 CF%
Los Angeles Kings
Brendan Lemieux, LW
Career Stats: 257 GP, 31 G, 32 A, 63 Pts, -13 +/-, 46.8 CF%
Minnesota Wild
Ryan Reaves, RW
Career Stats: 802 GP, 54 G, 66 A, 120 Pts, -33 +/-, 48.1 CF%
Montreal Canadiens
Sean Monahan, C
Career Stats: 681 GP, 218 G, 261 A, 479 Pts, -51 +/-, 50.4 CF%
Nashville Predators
Mark Borowiecki, D
Career Stats: 485 GP, 15 G, 41 A, 56 Pts, -22 +/-, 45.9 CF%
New Jersey Devils
Damon Severson, D
Career Stats: 620 GP, 55 G, 193 A, 248 Pts, -124 +/-, 49.9 CF%
New York Islanders
Semyon Varlamov, G
Career Stats: 579 GP, 271 W, 2.65 GAA, .916 SV
New York Rangers
Niko Mikkola, D
Career Stats: 144 GP, 4 G, 17 A, 21 Pts, -12 +/-, 43.0 CF%
Ottawa Senators
Travis Hamonic, D
Career Stats: 772 GP, 47 G, 171 A, 218 Pts, -5 +/-, 49.1 CF%
Philadelphia Flyers
Justin Braun, D
Career Stats: 827 GP, 34 G, 164 A, 198 Pts, 26 +/-, 49.8 CF%
Pittsburgh Penguins
Brian Dumoulin, D
Career Stats: 519 GP, 18 G, 108 A, 126 Pts, 98 +/-, 51.3 CF%
San Jose Sharks
Markus Nutivaara, D
Career Stats: 275 GP, 17 G, 54 A, 71 Pts, 26 +/-, 50.4 CF%
Seattle Kraken
Ryan Donato, C
Career Stats: 303 GP, 63 G, 66 A, 129 Pts, -14 +/-, 50.7 CF%
St. Louis Blues
Ivan Barbashev, C
Career Stats: 406 GP, 78 G, 99 A, 177 Pts, 8 +/-, 46.8 CF%
Tampa Bay Lightning
Vladislav Namestnikov, C
Career Stats: 606 GP, 113 G, 137 A, 250 Pts, 3 +/-, 49.5 CF%
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ryan O’Reilly, C
Career Stats: 979 GP, 252 G, 440 A, 692 Pts, -7 +/-, 50.5 CF%
Vancouver Canucks
Luke Schenn, D
Career Stats: 918 GP, 41 G, 149 A, 190 Pts, -37 +/-, 48.1 CF%
Vegas Golden Knights
Nolan Patrick, C
Career Stats: 222 GP, 32 G, 45 A, 77 Pts, -36 +/-, 48.6 CF%
Washington Capitals
Lars Eller, C
Career Stats: 926 GP, 160 G, 204 A, 364 Pts, -25 +/-, 50.9 CF%
Winnipeg Jets
Karson Kuhlman, C
Career Stats: 138 GP, 12 G, 18 A, 30 Pts, -2 +/-, 52.0 CF%
From this list, here are the top ten players to look at for Arizona next offseason:
(Players are listed in the order they appeared above)
- Nick Foligno
- Calvin de Haan
- Joe Pavelski
- Jake Walman
- Radko Gudas
- Brian Dumoulin
- Markus Nutivaara
- Ivan Barbashev
- Vladislav Namestnikov
- Ryan O’Reilly