ARIZONA COYOTES

Five things to be thankful for: Arizona Coyotes

Nov 26, 2015, 7:00 AM

It’s Thanksgiving, which means people all over the country will be gathering around a table in order to give thanks for what they have.

Here’s what you can be thankful for if you’re an Arizona Coyotes fan.


Mike Smith, Boyd Gordon5. That the team is competitive 
– Nobody wanted to endure a repeat of last season’s hopeless, 56-point debacle: not fans, not owners, not management, not coaches, nor players. We are only a quarter of the way through the season but the Coyotes are at least on the edge of the playoff race. Lottery talk and Auston Matthews’ name have been replaced by hockey talk and Max Domi.

 

Dave Tippett4. That Dave Tippett is still the coach – When a team misses the playoffs three straight seasons, somebody’s head usually rolls, but the Coyotes coach remains and is smashing those ill-conceived notions that he doesn’t know how to coach skill or youth. Tippett has an out-clause in his contract that allows him to leave after this season in the event of an ownership change (which happened with Andrew Barroway). Will he see this franchise’s transition through to the end and reap the rewards?

 

Max Domi, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Michael Stone, Anthony Duclair, Martin Hanzal3. That the future looks bright – Max Domi and Anthony Duclair have already proven they can produce at the NHL level. Dylan Strome, Brendan Perlini, Christian Dvorak and other prospects are champing at the bit to do the same. Potential must still be realized, but with the talent the Coyotes have stockpiled in juniors, Arizona’s odds of a dynamic hockey future are greatly improved.

 

Shane Doan, Mike Smith2. That Shane Doan is still a Coyote – He turned 39 in October and his contract expires after this season. Doan wants to keep playing and the Coyotes say they want him to remain a part of the organization. Nothing is certain, however, so take the season to appreciate a guy who has literally donated blood, sweat and tears to just one franchise his entire 20-year career, while representing it with grace, openness and that rarest of human virtues: genuine humility.

 

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jordan Martinook, Shane Doan, Michael Stone, Brad Richardson1. That they’re still here – Think about all the relocation rumors that proved to be false over the past five years. Winnipeg, Quebec, Seattle, Las Vegas…The Coyotes need a new home closer to their fan base downtown or in the East Valley. That will take a major financial commitment from investors yet unseen, but the first choice for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the IceArizona ownership group has always been and continues to be staying put.

Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller...

Associated Press

Clayton Keller becomes 2nd Coyotes player with 400 points in win over Devils

Karel Vejmelka stopped 37 shots and the Arizona Coyotes beat the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

2 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Logan Cooley, right, is greeted by defenseman Travis Dermott (33) after scor...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes beat struggling Detroit Red Wings again

Logan Cooley had a short-handed goal in the first period, Michael Carcone broke a tie in the second and the Coyotes beat the Red Wings 4-1.

4 days ago

Arizona Coyotes CEO and president Xavier Gutierrez...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes cleared to bid on north Phoenix land for new arena

The Arizona Coyotes have the green light to bid on a tract of land in north Phoenix in their yearslong bid to build a new arena.

4 days ago

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Josh Brown, left, and Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi (23) compete for...

Associated Press

Penalty kill falters again, Coyotes lose to the Minnesota Wild

Nick Bjugstad had another goal against his hometown team but the Coyotes penalty kill couldn't contain the Minnesota Wild in a road loss.

6 days ago

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Clayton Keller scores twice in loss to Blackhawks, Colin Blackwell delivers hat trick

Colin Blackwell got his first hat trick and Connor Bedard had two goals, leading the Blackhawks to a victory over the Coyotes.

8 days ago

Dylan Guenther #11 of the Arizona Coyotes warms up before the NHL game against the Boston Bruins at...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther has water turned off after he doesn’t pay utility bill

Arizona Coyotes' Dylan Guenther and teammate Jack McBain had their water turned off this week after they did not pay their utility bill.

9 days ago

Five things to be thankful for: Arizona Coyotes