Without a doubt the Phoenix Coyotes were the most surprising team in the NHL last season. They ended up as teh #4 seed in the Western Conference and with home ice advantage in the first round of the NHLK playoffs. It seems this once hapless organization has turned a new corner and that their new ownership is committed to building a winner in the desert. The key to their fast turn around is Head Coach Dave Tippett. He brought in a great defensive system and the Coyotes gave up the third least amount of goals a season ago.
Tippet, last year’s NHL Coach of the Year, return for his second season behind the Coyotes bench. Last year he led teh team to a 50-25-7 record. Now he faces the challenge of adding rookies to his low key system. He will have to learn to push the right buttons. It should be very interesting to see how this team deals with the sophomore jinx.
The Coyotes are looking to Center Andrew Ebbett to be their breakout candidate. With the Anaheim Ducks in 2008-09 he racked up 32 points in just 48 games. Lat year he had less than half that total as he bounced around several teams in the Western Conference. The Coyotes would like to see his scoring return.
Key Additions- LW Ray Whitney, LW Andrew Ebbett, G Matt Climie, and C Patrick O’Sullivan
Key Subtractions- D Jim Vandermeer, C Daniel Winnik, D Zbynek Michalek, C Matthew Lombardi, D Sean Sullivan, C Joel Perrault, LW Stefan Meyer, and RW Francis Lessard
Related Links:
•Joshua Lobdell.com
