Arizona Coyotes ‘in a building mode’ but playoffs remain the goal
Apr 13, 2015, 10:12 PM | Updated: Apr 14, 2015, 12:45 am
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Though the early work may have begun weeks ago — heck, maybe even months ago — the heavy lifting towards rebuilding the Arizona Coyotes starts in earnest now.
How quickly the franchise can move on from a disastrous 2014-15 season, in which the Coyotes finished with their lowest point total (56) since arriving in the Valley in 1996, will depend largely on the moves and decisions management makes going forward.
The remodeling can receive a huge boost later this week at the NHL Draft Lottery.
With their 29th-place finish, the Coyotes have a 13.5 percent chance at landing the number-one overall pick and thus their choice of coveted prospects Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel.
“It’s clear on everybody that’s seen any of these prospects play that those two are head and above — and it’s partly the position,” GM Don Maloney said. “Center ice is so hard to find, and when you get number-one center ice, potential franchise centers staring at you in the face it’s pretty attractive.”
Even if the Coyotes don’t win the lottery Saturday (5:00 p.m. Arizona time), they will pick no lower than third when the draft is held in late June.
But whomever the Coyotes select, Maloney does not believe that player would be NHL-ready next season.
That means looking at the skill already on the roster, like Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the team’s only 20-goal scorer who tied the franchise-record for most goals in a season by a defenseman with 23, and infusing young talent such as Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Tobias Rieder.
Getting more out of the goaltending position and staying healthy are key. Mike Smith struggled early and lost 42 games but carried a .929 save percentage since the beginning of March. Meanwhile, top line forwards Mikkel Boedker (spleen surgery) and Martin Hanzal (back surgery) both missed substantial time at the end of the year.
