Off the Ice: A midseason look at the Phoenix Coyotes

Mar 16, 2013, 1:24 AM | Updated: 1:24 am

Arizona Sports

The Phoenix Coyotes are just over halfway through the NHL season and it’s been marked by plenty of ups and downs.

The team struggled at first, to the point where some overanxious fans were calling for trades, but picked it up as of late. They have been as high as fourth in the Western Conference and as low as 11th. Overall, all I can really say so far about the season is “good, not great.”

Unfortunately, the Coyotes struggled in what should have been the easy part of the season. For the first 24 games, the Coyotes only played 10 away. However, they didn’t come out with a stellar record: 11-10-3. Again, good, not great.

But the second half gets trickier. The Coyotes will play only 10 games at home and 14 on the road, including a season-long four-game trip and three three-game trips. Oof.

Because folks love to mock sports writers when we’re wrong (and because I’m man enough to say I made bad predictions), let’s take a look back at my preseason predictions and see how I did. I’ll also make some new ones.

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Season outcome: Another year of May hockey in the desertSticking with this one. I originally had them finishing sixth in the Western Conference, but I could see them falling to the seventh or eighth. No matter what, we'll see another White Out.(AP Photo)

Bold prediction: Oliver Ekman-Larsson is Norris finalistMy original prediction that Steve Sullivan would equal the play of Ray Whitney was WAY off. However, the play of OEL has been spot on. He leads the team in ice time and is always there to make a play. He's not too bad at scoring (3-14-17) and should be in the Norris Trophy talks.(AP Photo)

Best nickname: 4L2Yes, I'm aware I recorded a video on the fourth line earlier this season, but come on. These guys are busting their butts. I'd consider my old prediction of the Bash Brothers, but these guys are bashing in more goals than bashing bodies. Coyotes are now fourth line for life.(AP Photo)

Storyline to follow: Can Mike Smith do it again?I'm sticking to this one. Smitty hasn't had the best of years, but he's still putting up fairly decent numbers. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, so he's definitely a guy to keep an eye on.(AP Photo)

Scoring leader: Radim VrbataThis seemed like a shoe-in at the beginning of the season. Vrbata had a break-out season last year, but injuries have beaten him up bad this season. My new prediction? Mikkel Boedker.(AP Photo)

Top trade bait: Keith YandleWhile I don't foresee Yandle moving anywhere, I still think the Coyotes get fairly regular calls on his availability. As the season goes on, I could see a veteran D-guy, maybe Derek Morris or Rostislav Klesla, catching the eye of scouts.(AP Photo)

Player to watch: Mikkel BoedkerBeing right sure is sweet. Boeds is having a great season. He's been leading the team or close to since the puck first dropped and is currently 6-12-18. In his best season as a Coyote, he posted 24 points. He'll beat it this year.(AP Photo)

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