Phoenix Coyotes 2009 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

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Phoenix Coyotes 2008-’09 record:
36-39-7, 79 points (4th in Pacific, 13th in West)

Phoenix Coyotes 2008-’09 playoffs:
Did not qualify

Last season was pretty tough for the Coyotes. They finished with a 36-39-7 record, good enough for 13 th in the West. That left them out of the playoff picture and tied for last place in the Pacific Division. What really makes the whole ownership battle a shame is that the Coyotes actually performed fairly well on home ice, posting a 23-15-3 mark at the Jobing.com Arena. It is worth noting, however, that there was no discussion of the team moving until after the year ended.

Phoenix Coyotes 2009 Preview

Phoenix Coyotes General manager: Don Maloney (171-192-41, 6th NHL year, 2nd team)

Phoenix Coyotes Coach: Dave Tippett (271-156-65, 7th NHL year, 2nd team)

Phoenix Coyotes Captain: Shane Doan

Phoenix Coyotes Top Returning Scorer: RW Shane Doan (31 goals, 42 assists, 73 points)

Phoenix Coyotes Top Returning Goalie: Ilya Bryzgalov (26-31-6, 2.98, .906)

Phoenix Coyotes Key Additions: G Jason LaBarbera; LW Vernon Fiddler; D Jim Vandermeer; D Sami Lepisto; D Adrian Aucoin; LW Laurie Korpikoski; RW Radim Vrbata; D David Hale; LW Taylor Pyatt.

Phoenix Coyotes Key Subtractions: C Brandon Prust; C Garth Murray; RW Steven Goertzen; RW Enver Lisin; RW Brian McGrattan; LW Nigel Dawes; LW Todd Fedoruk; D Ken Klee; D Dmitri Kalinin; C Stephen Reinprecht.

Phoenix Coyotes Top Line: LW Peter Mueller, C Matthew Lombardi; RW Shane Doan

Phoenix Coyotes Top Defensive Pairing: Ed Jovanovski, Zbynek Michalek

For the Coyotes, upgrading their scoring was a priority after finishing 27 th in the NHL in scoring last year. The additions of Vrbata, who scored 27 goals two seasons ago for the Coyotes, Upshall (15 goals last year) and Aucoin (who should provide good quarterbacking on the power play) were solid steps towards more goal production.

However, captain Shane Doan is the team’s only consistent goal scorer, having scored 31 goals and 72 points last year and that doesn’t bode well as he’s in his mid-30s and moving towards the downside of his career. While talented young players like Kyle Turris, Matthew Lombardi, Peter Mueller and Viktor Tikhonov have a ton of potential, Doan is the only proven scorer on the roster. With all of the turmoil surrounding the team and the expense which Balsillie will incur to purchase and move the team, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Doan wearing another jersey by April. However, trade rumors have dogged Captain Coyote for years, so I’ll believe that he’s leaving when I see it.

Defensively, Aucoin’s arrival gives the Coyotes a pair of top-flight defensemen as Ed Jovanovski remains one of the league’s best. Along with Keith Yandle, Dmitri Kalinin and Zybanek Michalek, there is the potential for a much-improved corps after the Coyotes allowed the 6 th most goals in the league. A better season from starting goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov would also certainly help the Coyotes in that department.

Finally, a big question surrounding the team: Who will be the head coach? Wayne Gretzky is considered the face of the franchise and is listed as the head coach but he hasn’t shown up for training camp. As the Great One is also a part-owner in the franchise, it seems likely that he’s waiting for the legal battles to resolve themselves because he’s being pulled in a number of directions. Either way, when the Coyotes’ head coach isn’t in camp, it doesn’t bode well for the team’s on-ice performance.

2009 Phoenix Coyotes Goaltending:

His game slid significantly from strong Coyotes debut of the season prior, but Bryzgalov rebounded to backstop Russia to the world title in spring. Save percentage was steadily below .900 after all-star break and seem to become dismayed playing behind such a young, ineffective team. Athletic goalie with solid reflexes and quick hands.

2009 Phoenix Coyotes Player To Watch:

D Sami Lepisto. Confident puck-moving rearguard was acquired from Washington for a fifth-round pick and at 24, may be ready to make jump full-time to NHL. Saw duty in seven games with Caps last season. Slick, skilled defenseman owns a potent shot. Named to all-tournament team at 2004 world juniors.

2009 Phoenix Coyotes Offense:

The Coyotes learned right before the start of season that coach Wayne Gretzky wouldn’t return. He had been away from training and preseason games as the court battle over the team played out. Doan has the unenviable task of trying to keep the team together on the ice.

Phoenix Coyotes 2009 Season Predictions

Who’s the owner? What’s the future hold? It sounds like an Abbott and Costello routine, but it’s life in Phoenix. The last Coyote to have it this rough was Wile E.

We predict that the Phoenix Coyotes will finish 5th in the NHL Pacific, 14th seed in West: 77 points.

Phoenix Coyotes Betting

Phoenix Coyotes Stanley Cup Odds: +10000
Phoenix Coyotes Western Conference Odds: +5000
Phoenix Coyotes Pacific Odds: +1500

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