The expansion draft will be a non-event for the Coyotes with respect to their current roster. I struggle to find enough forwards to protect with the 7 open spots, as most are exempt due to the lack of seasons/games played. Some of the protection picks contemplated above would be castoffs on any other team in the league - re Peter Holland - but for the sake of eligibility must be recognized under current circumstance. The obvious trio of Ekman-Larsson, Goligoski, and Murphy are a sure-thing on AZ's list, while Zybynek Michalek is a free agent and thus not a protection option without a new deal. Vegas will most likely look towards Luke Schenn and Kevin Connauton as available selection picks.

No matter how you break down this roster I would warn casual observers to take the Coyotes' individual player stats with a grain of salt. Inherently based on the system they play and the general lack of experience in the lineup, Corsi numbers are gonna be quite low and adjustments for the high percentage of defensive zone play become vulnerable to overcorrection (ex. a gap between CF% and AdjCF% of 5 or higher). Defensive systems will naturally produce elevated save percentages as shots will be driven from worse angles on average. Evident in the Coyotes ability to rank 12th, 7th, and 8th in SV% in three out of the last four seasons. Effective neutral zone play within this philosophy can lead to fewer shots against and an elevated percentage of play outside the defensive zone - evident by higher offensive zone starts (OZFO%) and an increase in opposition icing/offside infractions. Tippet's Yotes however, have not been effective in their deployment, falling well below league averages since their last playoff appearance in 2013-14.