The Desert Report

Moderator: SharksGM

Post Reply
Arizona - interim

The Desert Report

Post by Arizona - interim »

Uneven season in Arizona

The Arizona Coyotes fired their GM after a 6-4 start, and may be regretting it. Since then, the team has gone 9-10-3, and has frequently struggled to score goals. Victor Ohman leads the team in goals (13) and points (25) after 32 games. Only 3 other players have exceeded the 20 point mark, most notably Norris Trophy candidate Oliver Ekman-Larsson (4-20-24). Another bright spot has been young defenseman Adam Boqvist, who's had 7 assists in 9 games since being recalled from Tucson.

Conversely, the defense has been stellar, led by the pairing of the aforementional Ekman-Larsson and Alex Pietrangelo. Both players are in the top-5 in the league for hits and takeaways, even though neither are among the league leaders in icetime. Winger Ivan Telegin is also in the top 15 in the league in both categories, and averages under 18 minutes on ice per game.

Rumour has is that the interim GM, Geoff Smith is shopping veterans David Perron and Erik Johnson, both of whom are pending UFAs.
Arizona - interim

Re: The Desert Report

Post by Arizona - interim »

'Yotes gearing up for playoff push.

Interim GM Geoff Smith made a pair of moves, bringing in veteran forwards Phil Kessel and Joe Thornton.

Kessel was acquired from Detroit, along with Chicago's 4th round pick in 2022, in exchange for veteran defenseman Erik Johnson and the Rangers' 2nd pick in 2021. The emergence of youngsters Logan Stanley and Adam Boqvist made Johnson expendable, and his large contract was too much for a 3rd pairing dman. Kessel brings in much needed offense, and will centre the top line with William Nylander and David Perron.

Thornton was acquired from Colorado, in exchange for AHL veteran Eric Haula and a pair of 5th round picks. Thornton is expected to be the 13th forward when the dust settles, but brings in great leadership and a little bit of offense on the occasions he's in the lineup. Thornton is expected to play a few games in the AHL while the lineup is being adjusted.

Depth winger Tage Thompson and young centre Rasmus Kupari were sent to the Portland Pirates to make room for Kessel, and expect underage dman Ville Heinola to be demoted when Alex Pietrangelo returns from injury next week.
Arizona - interim

Re: The Desert Report

Post by Arizona - interim »

'Yotes bulking up for playoff push.

The Arizona Coyotes made a trio of deals today, adding both size and skill for the playoff push.

Kicking off the day, veteran David Perron was dealt to Detroit, along with AHLer Nicolas Aubé-Kubel and Chicago's 2nd pick in 2022. In return, Arizona picks up hard-hitting veteran Guillaume Latendresse and youngster Ty Dellandrea, as well as Edmonton's 3rd pick in 2022.

The 20 year old Dellandrea is the centrepiece of the deal, having registered 26 points in 62 games for the lowly Wings. Latendresse isn't expected to bring much offense, having failed to register a point in 13 games for Detroit, but will provide a physical presence in the bottom 6 forward group.

Perron was second on the team with 27 goals and 48 points in 62 games. He was coming to the end of a contract paying him $4.1M this season. While Aubé-Kubel has registered 19 points in 62 AHL games.

Following that, Joe Pavelski was acquired from the NY Rangers in exchange for prospect Luke Tuch and minor leaguer Vaclav Karabacek.

Pavelski has scored 15 points in 49 games between San Jose, Colorado and the Rangers so far this season. He's expected to benefit from playing on the top line with Phil Kessel and William Nylander.

Tuch, the 32nd overall pick last year, has spent the season in junior with the Red Deer Rebels, scoring 42 goals in 60 games so far. Karabacek, a career minor-leauger, has scored 30 goals so far this year in the AHL.

Finally, hard-hitting defensemen Jonas Siegenthaler was acquired from Dallas for young centre Jesse Koskenkorva and Arizona's 2nd pick in 2022.

Siegenthaler brings yet more size and physical play, beefing up the Yotes blueline. Koskenkorva has disappointed in his third NHL season, with only 11 points in 52 games, and had recently been demoted to the AHL.

In addition to all theses moves, the Yotes have placed Joe Thornton on waivers to clear roster spots for the new acquisitions.
Arizona - interim

Re: The Desert Report

Post by Arizona - interim »

More big changes in Phoenix.

The Arizona Coyotes made another big deal this morning, acquiring Mikkel Boedker and Dylan McIlrath from Columbus, along with a 3rd round pick in 2024. Going the other was were Victor Ohman, Thomas Chabot, Matthew Robertson and Arizona's 1st pick in 2021.

McIlrath adds yet more size to the 'Yotes, and bring some great shutdown skills, along with 17 points in 64 games. Expect to see him paired with the equally huge Logan Stanley, or possibly offensive-minded youngster Adam Boqvist.

Boedker, a pending free agent, was 4th on the Jackets with 33 points in 65 games. He's expected to join William Nylander and Phil Kessel on the top line, and pushes recently acquired Joe Pavelski down the depth chart a bit.

Ohman has had his best season in recent memory, with 44 points in 62 games. Chabot however, has been inconsistent all year, and recently was a healthy scratch. The former 1st all rookie team defenseman has only 4 goals and 15 points in 51 games. Robertson, a former 1st round pick of Pittsburgh, has now been traded twice, before playing a single professional game.
Post Reply

Return to “Team News”