Phoenix Coyotes Prepare for Draft
| 8
|
by user Pbcoyotes
Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney is preparing for a big draft day on Friday, and based on other GMs talking about the possibility of the wheeling and dealing that is more pronounced only at a swap meet or at a car dealership, Maloney will keep his options open (thanks to Kukla’s Korner for initially pointing to the articles). The Coyotes have two first round picks thanks in part to a lousy season and to the Ladislav Nagy trade with the Dallas Stars. Plus, they pick early in the second round with the 32 overall pick that could put them in fine shape.
“I think that first pick, there's going to be a lot of play with that pick, and I think our pick at 21 as well, and even our pick at 32. At that stage . . . can we do something with it, can we manufacture that into two assets or three assets?”
Getting the value added benefit from a late pick by transforming it into a mix of younger free agent players that can make an impact with our hockey team right now, might be what Maloney is thinking. It all depends on what other teams need in terms of player development and what they are willing to give up for these picks that Coyotes possess at 21st and 32nd overall.
There is speculation on Manny Fernandez’s future with the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom was signed to a multiyear deal but would the Wild want to part with Fernandez? Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough says no, but it is clear that if they keep both goaltenders, the Wild have a lot of money in cap space invested into two top tier goaltenders.
Backstrom came into the top goalie position after Fernandez sprained his knee that kept him out of the remaining games of the playoff push for the Wild. After Backstrom signed, Fernandez became resigned to the economic reality that no team can keep two $3 million goaltenders.
Risebrough, on the other hand, states that he plans to start the season with two goalies.
The more I chew on the goaltending issues here in the Valley, I now wonder if how good Tellqvist would be if the Coyotes had a team built on puck possession, skill, and offensive weaponry? The Coyotes were absolutely woeful on offense only scoring on average 2.5 goals per night, but giving up 3.4 goals, which is most likely why everyone has been talking goaltending. In addition, if the forwards can keep the puck in the offensive zone instead of fighting the possession battles in their own end, the goalies, along with the defense, may not wear out as quickly.
So the philosophical conundrum remains: will a team be more successful if players can find the back of the net with regularity while controlling the forecheck and puck possession, or will solid goaltending make up for a shortfall in offensive production? With Ed Jovanovski coming back next season, on paper the blue line looks strong. However, if the Coyotes can’t score goals, superb goaltending may not matter.
