Speculation: 2015 - 2016 Coyotes Roster Part 6

[XX]

Yandle has never been horrible defensively.

He's bad defensively. His entire existence under Tippett revolved around not putting him in a position where he could possibly end up in the Coyotes' zone. He was good at that. Great puck mover. But let's not pretend like he wasn't a skating tradeoff.

My main problem with Yandle is that there's still no suitable partner for him, and OEL doesn't have one either. Unless good RHD are being given away for free, I don't really want Yandle here.

 

[Grimes]

If the Canucks start dropping off I could see us trying to get Vrbata back if we don't fall off a cliff as well.

 

[moosemeister]

If the Canucks start dropping off I could see us trying to get Vrbata back if we don't fall off a cliff as well.

He's got a NMC. Would love to have him back and there is no doubt he'd waive to come back. Gotta trade Downie away to give him 17 back though lol

 

[rt]

He's bad defensively. His entire existence under Tippett revolved around not putting him in a position where he could possibly end up in the Coyotes' zone. He was good at that. Great puck mover. But let's not pretend like he wasn't a skating tradeoff.

My main problem with Yandle is that there's still no suitable partner for him, and OEL doesn't have one either. Unless good RHD are being given away for free, I don't really want Yandle here.

Nah. He's adequate defensively. I don't have to pretend anything. And I don't want to see any ****ing usage charts. All they mean is his HC put his best offensive weapon in the best offensive situations. It's not complicated and it's not indicative of defensive performance.

RH v. LH: let's see what the rest of the season holds for Murphy and Stone. Each had looked much better since they swapped ice time. Murphy seems to perform better with more minutes and Stone seems more comfortable with fewer. This problem may resolve itself. It's not as though we can trade for Yandle anyway. There's time to see how things shake out.

 

[rt]

If the Canucks start dropping off I could see us trying to get Vrbata back if we don't fall off a cliff as well.

I'd hesitate to part with any decent assets. I doubt we're going to sneak into the playoffs.

 

[Ebb]

Yandle has never been horrible defensively. I hope we give a big, long, fat contract and the captaincy when Doan hangs them up. I also think Boedker is pretty likely to re-sign and I'll be very glad when he does. I also really want to hang onto Stone. Am I have zero interest in trading not Domingue. Id rather buyout Mike Smith and hand the reigns right over to Domingue. So I pretty much disagree with everything you said. Haha.

Well, at least you're "usually incorrect"

Okay Yandle may not be "horrible" defensively, but he definitely struggles. Of course, I'm basing this on the last few seasons with us (I try to watch most games). I mean he was -23 in 13-14 and -32 in 14-15. Admittedly, the team had plenty of other problems that contributed to this, but he often turned the puck over. If we were to sign him again, we'd have to get rid of Tippett first; Yandle would struggle if he was brought back into Tippett's system.

I'd like to re-sign Boedker, but I don't think it will happen; we should try to get something for him before he leaves as a UFA.

Stone tends to struggle a bit defensively as well. If we had a different system, he could thrive, but I don't see that happening any time soon. As mentioned RHDs are in high demand, and Stone would definitely be a solid addition to the right team.

Buying out Smith would be fine with me, but they wont do it until at earliest 17-18 (more likely 18-19). While I like Domingue, I don't think he's the right backup for us (as he's shown a few times recently). I wish we'd stick with starting him for at least 10 games (except back-to-back games), instead of this stupid "get a win, play again" philosophy. Still, he might be in demand as a future starter for some teams (like Montreal) since he needs a bit more experience before stepping into that role.

 

[rt]

Cal me crazy but I don't think Yandle would struggle playing in Dave Tippett's system. He seemed to handle it pretty well for several years. I don't think anything has changed.

 

[XX]

It's not complicated and it's not indicative of defensive performance.

He would be the weakest defender in his own zone on the current roster, not counting Elliot.

 

[rt]

He would be the weakest defender in his own zone on the current roster, not counting Elliot.

That's probably true. You've got me there. Except he'd be one the best and getting the puck out of there and transitioned to offense.

 

[XX]

That's probably true. You've got me there. Except he'd be one the best and getting the puck out of there and transitioned to offense.

Which has a lot of value, especially to this roster. I never said otherwise. He's just bad in his own zone, should he find himself there, which isn't all that often. I would prefer to not have a specialist and to instead have a top 4 that is balanced, rather than having a pairing that needs to be coached around.

Grossmann needs to be booted, Dahlbeck pushed to the third pair, Z pushed to 7th duty. Between Stone and Murphy, they need to get their forward passes sorted out. That leaves two spots to fill, with the ability to make at least an okay outlet pass a minimum requirement.

 

[cobra427]

Which has a lot of value, especially to this roster. I never said otherwise. He's just bad in his own zone, should he find himself there, which isn't all that often. I would prefer to not have a specialist and to instead have a top 4 that is balanced, rather than having a pairing that needs to be coached around.

Grossmann needs to be booted, Dahlbeck pushed to the third pair, Z pushed to 7th duty. Between Stone and Murphy, they need to get their forward passes sorted out. That leaves two spots to fill, with the ability to make at least an okay outlet pass a minimum requirement.

Our problems on D are not so much from teams carrying the puck in, but when they dump it in. Outside of OEL, we don't have anyone that can get to the puck quickly and make a smart, split second decision. This is where Yandle would help us. Once the other team has control of the puck in our zone, I agree, Yandle is not the best. He has a tough time moving guys in front of the net, and can't out muscle guys in the corner.

Right now, Grossman is tough in front of the net but too slow in the corners. Z is solid positionally, but too slow. Murphy/Stone skate well enough but don't make a great first pass/decision. Dahlbeck is still young but can improve. I also think Smiths ability to play the puck is hurting us now that he is out. When he is in, we can play tougher at the blue line, force a dump, and let Smith get the puck.

I think Yandle would also help our PP a ton. We were a top 5-10 PP early last year, and are like 25th now, and that doesn't include all the shorties. Think of our PP with Yandle, we might be one of the best in the NHL. Signing Yandle should be a no brainer for DM/Tip. They will know exactly what they are getting and how he will fit in, if they want him. If they don't think he fits, they won't pursue him.

While I had rather have a top pairing RHD, I think signing Yandle will be much easier. A guy like Buf will cost a fortune and any other top pairing RHD will cost us a fortune in assets to acquire, if one is even available. Every team in the NHL except for a few, are looking for and will be bidding for that RHD.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

We are flush with forward prospects. I wouldn't mind giving up the Ranger's 1st in a package for a #1 RHD.

 

[Jakey53]

If the Canucks start dropping off I could see us trying to get Vrbata back if we don't fall off a cliff as well.

He's got a NMC. Would love to have him back and there is no doubt he'd waive to come back. Gotta trade Downie away to give him 17 back though lol

You guys, we are rebuilding, do not need or want Vrbata back. Why does everyone want the old Coyotes back?

 

[Jakey53]

Our problems on D are not so much from teams carrying the puck in, but when they dump it in. Outside of OEL, we don't have anyone that can get to the puck quickly and make a smart, split second decision. This is where Yandle would help us. Once the other team has control of the puck in our zone, I agree, Yandle is not the best. He has a tough time moving guys in front of the net, and can't out muscle guys in the corner.

Right now, Grossman is tough in front of the net but too slow in the corners. Z is solid positionally, but too slow. Murphy/Stone skate well enough but don't make a great first pass/decision. Dahlbeck is still young but can improve. I also think Smiths ability to play the puck is hurting us now that he is out. When he is in, we can play tougher at the blue line, force a dump, and let Smith get the puck.

I think Yandle would also help our PP a ton. We were a top 5-10 PP early last year, and are like 25th now, and that doesn't include all the shorties. Think of our PP with Yandle, we might be one of the best in the NHL. Signing Yandle should be a no brainer for DM/Tip. They will know exactly what they are getting and how he will fit in, if they want him. If they don't think he fits, they won't pursue him.

While I had rather have a top pairing RHD, I think signing Yandle will be much easier. A guy like Buf will cost a fortune and any other top pairing RHD will cost us a fortune in assets to acquire, if one is even available. Every team in the NHL except for a few, are looking for and will be bidding for that RHD.

Dahlback, Murphy and Stone are still very young and have some upside, but we have to be patient with them. Not sure if Yandle is the answer though.

 

[Jakey53]

We are flush with forward prospects. I wouldn't mind giving up the Ranger's 1st in a package for a #1 RHD.

Easier said than done. Who do you have in mind?

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

I wonder what it would take to get Seth Jones from Nashville, and whether say Perlini, NY 1st and Stone would get it done?

 

[The Feckless Puck]

You guys, we are rebuilding, do not need or want Vrbata back. Why does everyone want the old Coyotes back?

Because familiarity is comforting, and because the players everyone wants back were part of the franchise's best year in history.

If we could get these guys back at the same level they were playing at three years ago then that would be one thing, but otherwise I think we're better off with new blood, veteran and rookie. The best players on the team have been the ones who aren't retreads.

Dahlback, Murphy and Stone are still very young and have some upside, but we have to be patient with them. Not sure if Yandle is the answer though.

Yandle is a fantastic player - maybe one of the best - once you get across the opponent's blue line. Everywhere else, the best you can say of him is that he tries really hard. I love his room presence and his personality. But he's a specialist, and IMO we're not back to the level yet where a specialist would help - and we won't be until we have a balanced supporting cast.

 

[Jakey53]

Because familiarity is comforting, and because the players everyone wants back were part of the franchise's best year in history.

If we could get these guys back at the same level they were playing at three years ago then that would be one thing, but otherwise I think we're better off with new blood, veteran and rookie. The best players on the team have been the ones who aren't retreads.

The z and Vermette signing has only worked out so so, but I understand why they were signed. It's out with the old and in with the new.


Yandle is a fantastic player - maybe one of the best - once you get across the opponent's blue line. Everywhere else, the best you can say of him is that he tries really hard. I love his room presence and his personality. But he's a specialist, and IMO we're not back to the level yet where a specialist would help - and we won't be until we have a balanced supporting cast.

Yandle is a winner in my books. He puts it all on the line almost every night.

 

[Mossy]

Strome is looking good!!

 

[kihekah19*]

Yandle is a winner in my books. He puts it all on the line almost every night.

Absolutely.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Yandle is a winner in my books. He puts it all on the line almost every night.

I never said otherwise.

 

[BUX7PHX]

We will have a ton of money and flexibility. Second year of a rebuild where we will likely address our D and goal tending. No need to spend foolishly next year as it will probably be similar to this year.

I don't think any of our RFA's will command serious money. They are also RFA's and have zero leverage. I am also not sure Doan will be back.

The goalie position is by committee, a back up goalie shouldn't be expensive since we will still be stuck with Smith as out number 1 and his contract. I don't see us paying 3 mill+ for another goalie.

The most important off season move is either landing Yandle, or landing via UFA or trade an top pairing RHD. We need at least one of those to happen for our D to be any better next year. A few of the RFA's might get traded in the process.

I should have been better with how I asked the question. We are somewhere above the cap floor by about $2 million, right? Around $54 million on the roster? If management is comfortable going to $57 million, then maybe we can add Yandle (not that I want to).

We are losing about $16 million in UFA contracts, not including goalie. Doan, Boeds, Grossmann, Gordon, Downie, Tikhonov, and Chipchura are whom I believe this accounts for. Doan's contract would reduce, but Boedker's grows. So that is about $8 million tied up right there. Stone, Murphy, and Rieder should all be coming in with pretty good offers. Bare minimum of $1.5 million per year, but I think that Rieder and Murphy both will come in well above that. Probably closer to $2 million per year, and maybe more than that. Dahlbeck and Elliot will not get huge raises, but raises nonetheless. I could see the RFAs, Boedker, and Doan attracting roughly $14 million towards the cap, at minimum. So we would save, at most, $2 million if we kept our cap number the same. So, we may need to drop a contract or two in order to get a Yandle or other player to be a contributing member. That was what I was implying by asking about the cap number/situation.

As for Yandle, he wasn't a defensive train wreck, but he was not that great. The reason Stone had so many hits last year was b/c Yandle would only play the man when he had to - most times, he would head back toward the front of the net, without regard for cutting certain plays off. Stone would be responsible for the man, and anything taken wide or along the boards would wind up with Stone getting physical. All that I know is that the guy who was touted to be a Norris caliber Dman by a lot of posters on this board should, in theory, always get top 2 or top 4 minutes. That he hasn't done so over a full year in New York has to raise a red flag. I don't think that he comprehends how to manage certain plays, and he uses his natural talent to make things happen. The problem with that is you have a player who may make bad decisions on ends of the ice, thinking his talent is enough to get by. Kind of makes sense when we would see Yandle make diving breakups that he didn't have to make if he was in the right position. Just don't think that we need to add him, only that it may be liked to have someone familiar with our team.

 

[Jakey53]

I never said otherwise.

I never said you did.

 

[Mosby]

Drouin sent down by Tampa. Wonder if there is an opportunity for a trade there.

 

[0point1]

You guys, we are rebuilding, do not need or want Vrbata back. Why does everyone want the old Coyotes back?

The Tippett/GMDM mindset has infected many. Instead of taking a chance on new players, Tip/GMDM chooses guys they know well. Low downside but low upside as well. The players are who they are.