ARIZONA COYOTES

Player poll from TSN has Arizona Coyotes making playoffs

Sep 17, 2018, 10:10 AM

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)...

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

What better crowd to ask about the landscape of the NHL than the players themselves?

An anonymous poll of 33 players by TSN at this year’s Player Media Tour found that the Arizona Coyotes will continue the run they had down the stretch last year and make their way into the playoffs in 2018-19.

It would be an improbable turnaround, given that the Coyotes finished last in the Pacific Division — and Western Conference — last season with 70 points and a 29-41-12 record. But they were 20-14-7 after the start of the new year, showing that the potential for success down the road is high.

“I feel like they’ve done some really good things the past couple years,” one Western player said. “Plus, everyone likes their coach [Rick Tocchet].”

“I think Arizona’s going to be better than people think,” a Pacific Division rival said. “They gave us a lot of trouble last year, and quite honestly, I think they’re just a better team than people give them credit for.”

The story notes that last season was the first time in NHL history that the last-place team in each conference went on to make the playoffs in the following season, with the Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils both advancing to the postseason in 2018. The anonymous poll not only said Arizona would rebound, but the Buffalo Sabres would, too, marking what would be a repeat of the first-time phenomenon.

Newcomers on the Coyotes’ roster at the team’s media day on Thursday last week mentioned that Arizona wasn’t an easy place to play late last season. They built on their progress in the second half of the season by adding to the roster in the offseason, namely trading for forward Alex Galchenyuk and signing wing Michael Grabner.

Arizona will hope to see the next steps from young players including Clayton Keller, who was a Calder Trophy finalist in 2017-18. The TSN story also makes note of Antti Raanta, the Coyotes’ starting netminder who put up the best save percentage in the league (.930) among goalies who played as many games or more than he did (47).

Fans will get their first look at the 2018-19 Arizona Coyotes on Oct. 4 when they open their season on the road against the Dallas Stars. The team’s home opener is on Oct. 6 against the Anaheim Ducks, with puck drop slated for 6 p.m.

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.

2 days 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. 

2 days 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.

4 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.

4 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.

6 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.

8 days ago

Player poll from TSN has Arizona Coyotes making playoffs