by Roger Quinn

Created on: August 11, 2010   Last Updated: August 13, 2010

The Phoenix Coyotes went through their annual off-season salary dump and will struggle to get anywhere near their franchise record 107 point season of last year.  Then again Don Maloney and Dave Tippett have proven everybody wrong before so why not shock the world again?

Last season's success came from the Coyotes' defense.  They played a trap style game that frustrated opponents into making mistakes and capitalized on their few scoring chances.  The Yote's defensemen were physical and were very good passers.  In fact, Phoenix defensemen scored more points as a group than any other defensive corps in the NHL.  Keith Yandle, Ed Jovanovski, Adrian Aucoin, and Keith Yandle are all back.  The defensive group, together with the Coyotes' style of play, should be one of the most effective groups in the NHL yet again.  Defense will not be an issue in the desert this season.

Offensively the Coyotes will be counting on many players to build on career years last season.  Adding Ray Whitney will nicely replace Matthew Lombardi, but only for a season or two.  It is strange that the Coyotes could not sign Lombardi given the low dollar amount he got from Nashville.  Whitney gives Phoenix a point per game player, but it is unknown how his stats will fair in a trap defense.  Either way he will be the Coyote's best offensive player this season next to Shane Doan.  The two key players here are Radim Vrbata and Scottie Upshall.  Both had great season's last year, but it is unknown if Vrbata can put up 20 goals again, and Upshall has never been healthy for a whole season.  If both players play well all season long Phoenix is a lock to at least make the playoffs.

The ace in the hole for the Coyotes is Illya Bryzgalov.  He can not only steal a game, he can cover for a week if the team takes a nosedive.  In the stretches that goals come hard in the desert, the world class goalie will be able to keep the team from taking a nosedive.  He is the reason Phoenix will make the playoffs and maybe even win a series.  The Yotes will not be as good as last season, they won't challenge San Jose for the Pacific Division title, but in a 7 game series the Coyotes are the kind of team you do not want to face.

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