ARIZONA COYOTES

NHL panel gives Coyotes low ranking despite reasons for optimism

Sep 2, 2018, 3:36 PM

Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) celebrates his goal with the bench during the first perio...

Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) celebrates his goal with the bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Another active offseason for the Arizona Coyotes has not only given fans in the Valley optimism, but a few NHL pundits have liked what they have seen as well.

The Coyotes were rated as a tier four team (out of five) by a panel including TheAthletic.com’s Craig Custance and an anonymous NHL player, coach, executive and scout, but were described as a team on the rise.

This is a young team headed in the right direction that should be showing signs of progress in their rebuild. Still, the consensus is that it’s not quite ready to for the playoffs, even if there’s optimism in the desert right now.

“They haven’t shown me enough yet to get me to jump on the bandwagon,” said the scout.

Added the executive: “They’ve bottomed out but they’re on the way back up. They may not be at the absolute bottom of the league. They’re moving in the right direction.”

In 2017, the Coyotes started the season losing their first 11 games but ended the season winning 17 of their last 28 including a four-game win streak from Feb. 12 to Feb. 17.

Two of the Coyotes’ first three regular season games are against the Anaheim Ducks, who were one of five Pacific Division teams rated in tier three.

The Vancouver Canucks were rated in tier five and the San Jose Sharks were rated in tier two as the highest-rated Pacific Division team in the Stanley Cup conversation.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Coyotes

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

1 day ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

1 day ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

3 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

3 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

5 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ struggles in Dallas continue despite Clayton Keller stacking goals

The Dallas Stars extended their home points streak against the Coyotes to 19 games with a victory on Wednesday night.

7 days ago

NHL panel gives Coyotes low ranking despite reasons for optimism