2009-10 NHL Preview: Phoenix Coyotes

With all the court room drama surrounding this team it is sometime very hard to remember that they will be taking to the ice, at least somewhere in just a few weeks. While it is certain to be a huge distraction the front office and coaching staff will attempt to put all that aside and try to win on the ice. The main problem there is that is the core of the Coyotes problem, the lack of on the ice success.

While the Coyotes were able to stay in the playoff hunt until at least until February of the past NHL season this team is built around far too many young players. Last season first and second year players like Peter Mueller, Martin Hanzal, and Kyle Turris. While these players are the core of the future team, they must be paired with veterans to show them how to win at the NHL level.

The Coyotes already have a solid building block in Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, and the team has added free agent net minder Jason Labarbera. The plan is to have Jason back up the young goalie starting 30 or so regular season games.

The Coyotes also have a solid group of defenseman anchored by Ed Jovanowski, Zbynek Michalek, and Kurt Sauer. With that being said this team will have to find ways to get the puck into the back of their opponents net.

Key Additions- D Adrian Aucoin, F Vernon Fiddler, D Shaun Heshka, G Labarbera, D Sami Lepisto, LW Stefan Meyer, D Jim Vandermeer, and RW Radim Vrbata

Subtractions- RW Todd Fedoruk, RW Steven Goertzen, D David Hale, D Ryan Lannon, F Enver Lisin, RW Brian McGrattan, F Garth Murray, Brandon Prust, and C Steve Reinprecht