GLENDALE - The 2014-15 EHEC season is officially under way, and fans of the Arizona Coyotes hope it will be a fruitful one.
Since their glory days of 2010-11, the Coyotes have yet to advance past the Conference Finals despite obtaining 53, 54 and 53 wins over the last three seasons. Their recent seventh-game loss to the Flames in the first round of the playoffs was particularly hard to digest for the organization, which has hired a new general manager during the offseason. To improve its lineup and chances of reconquering the Stanley Cup, Arizona has added center Evander Kane in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks, as well as winger Brian Gionta and defenseman Dennis Wideman through free agency. The Portland Pirates, the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate, have also received some new talent. Youngsters Maxim Shuvalov and Valentin Zykov, as well as brothers P.K. and Jordan Subban have been acquired in an effort to add depth to the organization.
According to independent website Coyote Ugly, the Calgary Flames are the early favorites to take home the Stanley Cup in 2014-15. The Anaheim Ducks come in second, followed by the Arizona Coyotes and the Los Angeles Kings. The Arizona-based website ranks its hometown team fourth in overall offense, third in defense, and first in goaltending, as shown below:
Offense
1. New Jersey Devils
2. Los Angeles Kings
3. St. Louis Blues
4. Arizona Coyotes
5. Chicago Blackhawks
Defense
1. Edmonton Oilers
2. Ottawa Senators
3. Arizona Coyotes
4. Nashville Predators
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
Goaltending
1. Arizona Coyotes
2. Toronto Maple Leafs
3. Los Angeles Kings
4. New York Rangers
5. Vancouver Canucks
Coyote Ugly has also published its annual player rankings, in which four Arizona Coyotes are featured. Acquired last November, 2013-14 Jennings trophy winner Roberto Luongo is rated as EHEC’s top goaltender. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is ranked sixth among all defensemen, and Mike Richards and team captain Shane Doan come in ninth at their respective positions.
Head coach Bill Barber and his coaching staff possess all the necessary tools to make a run at the coveted trophy in June. Despite the abundance of Stanley Cup candidates in EHEC, the Coyote faithful have every right to believe.
