In the 2016-2017 NHL season, the Arizona Coyotes once again continue with their rebuilding efforts. The Coyotes finished with a record of 30-42-10 and finished 12th in the Western Conference. In the off season, the Coyotes completed two big trades for the franchise while the team parted ways with Head Coach Dave Tippett. Pittsburgh Penguin’s assistant coach, Rick Tocchet, was hired as the new head coach of the team. Here is a look at some of the changes made to the team’s roster.

Notable Departures:

Connor Murphy- Defenseman:

Murphy was drafted by the Coyotes in 2011 with the 20th overall pick and was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in the off season. He played top line minutes for the Coyotes last season. He doesn’t have high numbers but as a 6’4 defenseman that weighs 212 pounds, he plays more of a physical game. Last season he played 77 games and recorded two goals and 15 assists.

Mike Smith- Goaltender

Smith joined the Coyotes in the summer of 2011 after signing a two-year contract. He helped the Coyotes reach the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2012 playoffs and in July of 2013, he signed a six-year extension for $34 million. Smith would become the franchise starting goaltender but was traded to the Calgary Flames in June of 2017. Last season, he posted a record of 19-26-9, a goals against average of 2.92, and a save percentage of .914.

Radim Vrbata- Right Winger:

Vrbata has played for the Coyotes three separate times in his career. He was a member of the team during the 2007-2008 season. Then he would then play for the Coyotes from 2009-2014 before becoming a member of the Vancouver Canucks for 2 seasons. He joined the Coyotes in the summer of 2016 and recorded 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points this past season, leading the Coyotes in goals, assists, and points.

Shane Doan- Right Winger:

Doan has been the captain of the Coyotes since 2003 and leads the Coyotes franchise in goals, assists and points. The team also offered Doan a front office job if he does not sign with another team. In his career with the Coyotes, he has recorded 402 goals, 570 assists and 972 points.

Notable Newcomers:

Derek Stepan- Center:

Stepan was acquired in a trade from the New York Rangers. He was the first line center for the Rangers last season and at the age of 27, brings a ton of playoff experience and leadership qualities to Arizona. In his last 4 seasons, he has recorded at least 50 points every season; last season he played in 81 games and registered 17 goals and 38 assists.

Antii Raanta- Goaltender:

Also acquired in the trade with the Rangers was Antii Raanta who will fill in as goaltender for Mike Smith.He is 28 years old and has been in the NHL for the past four seasons, serving as a backup. He won the Stanley Cup in 2015 with the Chicago Blackhawks and after a solid season last year, it seems he is ready to make the jump to become a starting goaltender. Last season he posted a record of 16-8-2, a goals against average of 2.26 and save percentage of .922.

Niklas Hjalmarsson- Defenseman:

Hjalmarsson was the return selection in the Connor Murphy trade. At the seasoned age of 30, he brings a veteran presence to this young Coyotes team and a ton of playoff experience, having won the Stanley Cup 3 times in his career. Last season, he played in 73 games and recorded 5 goals and 13 assists.

Projected Offensive Lines:

Line 1: Domi-Stepan-Duclair

Line 2: Perlini-Dvorak-Reider

Line 3: Keller-Strome-Martinook

Line 4: Crouse-Cousins-McGinn

Projected Defensive Lines:

Line 1: OEL-Hjalmarsson

Line 2: Goligoski-Chychrun

Line 3: Connauton-Schenn

Goaltenders:

Starter: Raanta

Backup: Domingue

The 2017-2018 Season Story: Will The Coyotes Be Able to Win 35 Games?

With a new coaching staff and some great players added to the team, the Coyotes should be a better team than last season. During the 2015-2016 season, the Coyotes were second in the Pacific Division in February but lost their way by of the end of the month. They would finish the season with a record of 35-39-8 and finish fourth in the Pacific Division. After only winning 30 games last season, the Arizona Coyotes have a much improved core of younger players who have developed another year.

Prediction:

The Coyotes will have to undergo another year in rebuilding mode. My prediction is that they do reach the 35 game win mark and finish the season with exactly 35 wins. They have the pieces to improve but they have many players on their roster that are very young including players such as Lawson Crouse, Jakob Chychrun, Clayton Keller, Anthony Duclair, and Christian Dvorak. These players are still developing and getting better and until they mature in the NHL, the Coyotes won’t be a big time threat. With the additions of Stepan, Raanta, and Hjalmarsson, the Coyotes get three guys who know how to win games. Each of these accomplished players have so much to offer and will share their successes with the team. Also, newly appointed Head Coach, Rick Tocchet, has won 2 Stanley Cups with the Penguins as an assistant coach; he has experience as a head coach since he coached the Tampa Bay Lightning for a majority of the 2008-2009 NHL season and for the full season during the 2009-2010 season. With this experience under his belt, he could translate the team into immediate success. Though they won’t be contenders this season, the Coyotes will make it be back to the playoffs, sooner rather than later.