Phoenix Rising
There's going to be a new defensive plan in Phoenix next year.
After several seasons, the Phoenix Coyotes still find themselves battling for a return to the post-season. Arguably the most unlikely WCHL Cup winner in league history, going on a cinderella run in Season 8, the Coyotes have failed to repeat any of that magic since.
Now, the club is saddled once again with another year of failed expectations, once again finishing well outside the playoff picture. With a record of 28-44-10, the Coyotes were 19 points behind the eighth seeded Columbus Blue Jackets and are left with a big question mark as to how they will go forward in closing that gap.
The Coyotes finished tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the third worst record in the league this year, narrowing ahead of the Anaheim Ducks. Only the Blackhawks, with 51 points, finished well back of the Coyotes. Now the team is facing a cross-roads of sorts, as the topic of a rebuild will be fresh on the minds of many.
That mindset likely won't sit well with fans of the club, who faced this idea a few years ago when General manager Phin Liew sold the fanbase on a plan to rebuild around future star John Tavares. Fast-forward to the present day and Tavares is in Vancouver, the Coyotes are no where nar the post-season and only two players -Sam Gagner and Sergei bobrovsky- under the age of 25 is on the clubs roster. Meanwhile, 11 players 30 or older suited up for the club, making the likelihood of a rebuild more real.
At times Radim Vrbata was a one man show for Phoenix.
"We need to shore up some weaknesses, but we can make strides here," said team scoring leader Radim Vrbata who lead the team in goals (34) and points (67).
The club won't have much in the way of cap space to improve the team, likely entering free agency with a few unsigned Restricted Free Agents and about $8 million available in cap sapce for those players plus free agents. It could be a tricky juggling act to get this club resigned and rebuilt in one off-season.
No one said bringing a cup to the desert would be easy even once, never mind twice.
"We hope to see some improvements soon," said netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who himself was a large flop this season, posting a .879 save percentage. "We as a group can do better so we don't really need to improve much from outside the organization."
While defense was a huge issue for Pheonix last year, finishing 25th in the league with a 3.23 goals against average, offense was even worse. Phoenix finished the season ranked 28th in the WCHL, scoring just 2.32 goals per game.
One of those players that needs to improve offensively is Mike Cammalleri. The winger, added from the Vancouver Canucks, had just six goals and eight points in 34 games with Phoenix after being almost a point per game player prior to that with the Canucks.
It was a tough season for Mike Cammalleri after a mid-season deal sent him to Phoenix.
"I alone can improve the offense," admitted Cammelleri. "I need to do much better and I will next year."
Next year can't come fast enogh for Phoenix. The question is, will next year change anything?
There's going to be a new defensive plan in Phoenix next year.
After several seasons, the Phoenix Coyotes still find themselves battling for a return to the post-season. Arguably the most unlikely WCHL Cup winner in league history, going on a cinderella run in Season 8, the Coyotes have failed to repeat any of that magic since.
Now, the club is saddled once again with another year of failed expectations, once again finishing well outside the playoff picture. With a record of 28-44-10, the Coyotes were 19 points behind the eighth seeded Columbus Blue Jackets and are left with a big question mark as to how they will go forward in closing that gap.
The Coyotes finished tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the third worst record in the league this year, narrowing ahead of the Anaheim Ducks. Only the Blackhawks, with 51 points, finished well back of the Coyotes. Now the team is facing a cross-roads of sorts, as the topic of a rebuild will be fresh on the minds of many.
That mindset likely won't sit well with fans of the club, who faced this idea a few years ago when General manager Phin Liew sold the fanbase on a plan to rebuild around future star John Tavares. Fast-forward to the present day and Tavares is in Vancouver, the Coyotes are no where nar the post-season and only two players -Sam Gagner and Sergei bobrovsky- under the age of 25 is on the clubs roster. Meanwhile, 11 players 30 or older suited up for the club, making the likelihood of a rebuild more real.
At times Radim Vrbata was a one man show for Phoenix.
"We need to shore up some weaknesses, but we can make strides here," said team scoring leader Radim Vrbata who lead the team in goals (34) and points (67).
The club won't have much in the way of cap space to improve the team, likely entering free agency with a few unsigned Restricted Free Agents and about $8 million available in cap sapce for those players plus free agents. It could be a tricky juggling act to get this club resigned and rebuilt in one off-season.
No one said bringing a cup to the desert would be easy even once, never mind twice.
"We hope to see some improvements soon," said netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who himself was a large flop this season, posting a .879 save percentage. "We as a group can do better so we don't really need to improve much from outside the organization."
While defense was a huge issue for Pheonix last year, finishing 25th in the league with a 3.23 goals against average, offense was even worse. Phoenix finished the season ranked 28th in the WCHL, scoring just 2.32 goals per game.
One of those players that needs to improve offensively is Mike Cammalleri. The winger, added from the Vancouver Canucks, had just six goals and eight points in 34 games with Phoenix after being almost a point per game player prior to that with the Canucks.
It was a tough season for Mike Cammalleri after a mid-season deal sent him to Phoenix.
"I alone can improve the offense," admitted Cammelleri. "I need to do much better and I will next year."
Next year can't come fast enogh for Phoenix. The question is, will next year change anything?
