Speculation: Coyotes Offseason

[JKG33]

Friedman and Marek have said multiple times now on the last few episodes of 32 Thoughts and The Jeff Marek Show that they've heard the Coyotes were going to be aggressive this offseason, even before relocation talks intensified. They think that this plan will remain in place with the potential move to Utah.

They mentioned the Coyotes will likely be a top bidder on the big UFA's given their abundance of cap space.. Stamkos, Reinhart, Guentzal, Marchessault, Skjei were the names brought up. They hadn't mentioned any trade targets by name but the team would likely be active there as well with all the picks and prospects they've accumulated.

Anyway, with all the talks focused on the playoffs and impending relocation, I thought a roster thread would be fun. Especially considering this speculation seems valid regardless of if they're in Utah or Arizona.

Click to read more...

 

[BKarchitect]

The way some of their young guns played in the back half of the season (Cooley, Guenther, Doan, etc) - I think this summer was always going to be the summer to solidify things with some good pieces.

The Coyotes/Utah are at draft pick saturation at this point. They have 7 additional 2nd rounders and 4 additional third rounders in the next few drafts in addition to all their own picks and in addition to all the picks they’ve made the last few seasons.

They definitely are not looking to add picks and unproven prospects at the expense of their better veteran players under contract. They have a lot of pure “draft pick currency” to leverage. This won’t be the same “business as usual” that I think people always want to assume.

They are going to be very, very busy this summer adding pieces IMO. I think they need to look blueline first. Moser and Durzi have been nice surprises but ideally are more second pair material. Soderstrom and some of their other picks haven’t really panned out. There’s a lot more immediate help on the way up front and they already have a better group of forwards. Goalie is also set with Ingram. So lean hard into some minute munching veteran defenders IMO. Or pile a bunch of those accrued assets together and go after a big fish on defense.

 

[GCK]

Can I interest you in one Thomas Chabot or Jacob Chychrun. We will provide volume discounts.

 

[rt]

This is the highest scoring Coyotes roster they’ve ever had. And the story of the 2nd half (apart from the winless February and, of course, relocation) has been the young forwards stepping up (Cooley, Guenther and Doan). Conor Geekie and Daniil But have also had great seasons and are showing positive early signs.

All that’s to say, I think they’ll primarily focus on shoring up the blueline. Obviously, job number one is re-sign Moser and Durzi. I expect Kesselring to be extended, also. Valimaki is a maybe.

I don’t think Armstrong will trade any of the prospects he’s drafted with his own staff. And I don’t think he will trade any 1st rounders. But I do think he will trade a pile of 2nd and 3rd rounders. Much like he traded a 2nd for McBain and a 2nd for Durzi. Keep an eye out for more trades like that. Especially for defensively responsible defensemen. Guys like Mario Ferraro and Ryan Lindgren come to mind.

I think the new owner will want to make a Free Agency splash, too. They may be willing to overpay to make it happen. Which might be a fortunate payoff for someone like Skjei or Roy or even Zadorov.

 

[archangel2]

If they move to Utah yes. If the current owner stays in place? Nope.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Come to Utah where you can have as many wives as possible! No cap restrictions!

 

[frisland]

i think Lindgren (26 RFA) can be had for a couple 2nd round picks

 

[BKarchitect]

Skjei and Roy would both be great fits. Skjei has proven this year he can be an effective big-minute two-way guy.

Why not both

Skjei-Roy
Moser-Durzi
Valimaki-Kesselring

 

[rt]

i think Lindgren (26 RFA) can be had for a couple 2nd round picks

That’s exactly the sort of thing I expect. Maybe they do that deal and then give Matt Roy 25% over market value.

Skjei and Roy would both be great fits. Skjei has proven this year he can be an effective big-minute two-way guy.

Why not both

Skjei-Roy
Moser-Durzi
Valimaki-Kesselring

I think they makes sense. Allows for the time needed to bring along Simashev, Lamoureux, Duda, and whichever of Buium, Dickinson, Yakemchuk, Levshunov, Parekh or Silayev they get this summer.

 

[Jared Dunn]

I think they'll add Skjei, something like 5x7.25 and then one or both of Stephenson/Lindholm

 

[Jared Dunn]

If they move to Utah yes. If the current owner stays in place? Nope.

? At this point it doesn't really seem like a question

 

[CokenoPepsi]

A big splash like Stamkos would create some buzz.

Same salary as now for three or four years

 

[Mike Jones]

I agree - I think it is going to be a wild off season for the Utah. The rebuilding phase is obviously over and it's time to fill in the blanks and add some guys who can help the team take the next 2-3 steps.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

They need to get more picks to really show their dominance

 

[rt]

View attachment 852799

They need to get more picks to really show their dominance

I could see them packaging the ‘24ARI2nd and the ‘24WSH2ND for a late 1st. Then moving the ‘25NYR2nd and ‘26NYR2nd back to NYR for Lindgren.

Suddenly, the pick list is a lot less crazy looking.

Then maybe they get whacky and sign Stamkos to a 3yr, 40mil deal with a NMC, and 90% of it in signing bonus. And then really overpay the heck out of one UFA D-Man. Someone like Matt Roy.

If so, they’d have made their big UFA splash, shored up their blueline with some badly needed help, and mitigated the crazy pick surplus situation in the process.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I could see them packaging the ‘24ARI2nd and the ‘24WSH2ND for a late 1st. Then moving the ‘25NYR2nd and ‘26NYR2nd back to NYR for Lindgren.

Suddenly, the pick list is a lot less crazy looking.

Then maybe the get whacky and sign Stamkos to a 3yr, 40mil deal with a NMC, and 90% of it in signing bonus. And then really overpay the heck out of one UFA D-Man. Someone like Matt Roy.

If so, they’d have made their big UFA splash, shored up their blueline with some badly needed help, and mitigated the crazy pick surplus situation in the process.

I’m hoping Anaheim try’s to move up from oilers pick

Using picks/prospects we don’t need. we have 5 picks in the 2nd/3rd rounds…. But I think those picks would be better used going for higher picks/players that can fit in now

 

[McJedi]

This is the highest scoring Coyotes roster they’ve ever had. And the story of the 2nd half (apart from the winless February and, of course, relocation) has been the young forwards stepping up (Cooley, Guenther and Doan). Conor Geekie and Daniil But have also had great seasons and are showing positive early signs.

All that’s to say, I think they’ll primarily focus on shoring up the blueline. Obviously, job number one is re-sign Moser and Durzi. I expect Kesselring to be extended, also. Valimaki is a maybe.

I don’t think Armstrong will trade any of the prospects he’s drafted with his own staff. And I don’t think he will trade any 1st rounders. But I do think he will trade a pile of 2nd and 3rd rounders. Much like he traded a 2nd for McBain and a 2nd for Durzi. Keep an eye out for more trades like that. Especially for defensively responsible defensemen. Guys like Mario Ferraro and Ryan Lindgren come to mind.

I think the new owner will want to make a Free Agency splash, too. They may be willing to overpay to make it happen. Which might be a fortunate payoff for someone like Skjei or Roy or even Zadorov.

Too many good UFA forwards to not grab one to help your young forwards develop and really start to score. I'd go hard after Reinhart or Guentzal. The UFA defenders just aren't as interesting/bang for the buck.

 

[JKG33]

Skjei and Roy would both be great fits. Skjei has proven this year he can be an effective big-minute two-way guy.

Why not both

Skjei-Roy
Moser-Durzi
Valimaki-Kesselring

Roy will be coveted by more than a few teams, but if they could get him and Skjei (or Lindgren) that'd really address the defence.

I could see them packaging the ‘24ARI2nd and the ‘24WSH2ND for a late 1st. Then moving the ‘25NYR2nd and ‘26NYR2nd back to NYR for Lindgren.

Suddenly, the pick list is a lot less crazy looking.

Then maybe they get whacky and sign Stamkos to a 3yr, 40mil deal with a NMC, and 90% of it in signing bonus. And then really overpay the heck out of one UFA D-Man. Someone like Matt Roy.

If so, they’d have made their big UFA splash, shored up their blueline with some badly needed help, and mitigated the crazy pick surplus situation in the process.

I have a feeling Stamkos stays in the state of Florida. Marsh is probably a bit too old for them. I think anyone that signs Reinhart will be disappointed when his production doesn't match what it was with Florida. To me Guentzal is the obvious target if they want another scoring winger which all of the big UFAs are.

I'm not sure what happened to Hayton, but even with him to me the Coyotes need one more middle 6 center. There's not much for UFAs.. maybe Stephenson. Lindholm probably goes to Boston. On the trade market I wonder about someone like Norris. Pinto finished the season strong, and if the Sens view Greig as a center then Norris could be available especially given his cap hit.

 

[StreetHawk]

I agree - I think it is going to be a wild off season for the Utah. The rebuilding phase is obviously over and it's time to fill in the blanks and add some guys who can help the team take the next 2-3 steps.

I think similar to LV initially, they need to sell/educate players on the city. LV isn't just casinos and gambling. For SLC, most NHLers know very little about the city or state. Only that they have the Jazz, lots of people of the Mormon faith, and hosted the Winter Olympics, but no one in the NHL today was on a roster in those games.

 

[thefutures]

Take hronek

 

[JKG33]

A really inconsequential player, but I could see them bring Trevor Lewis home to finish his career as he's the only active NHLer from Utah

 

[ElPrimeTime]

Can I interest you in either Ceci or Kulak? Possibly for the Oilers 2024 3rd?

 

[Mike Jones]

I think similar to LV initially, they need to sell/educate players on the city. LV isn't just casinos and gambling. For SLC, most NHLers know very little about the city or state. Only that they have the Jazz, lots of people of the Mormon faith, and hosted the Winter Olympics, but no one in the NHL today was on a roster in those games.

Good point.

 

[archangel2]

? At this point it doesn't really seem like a question

A few years ago they were less than 12 hours away from moving to Portland. One of the former employees talked through what happened. "At 7pm we were told the team was moving to Portland. Many of us had already been in contact with real estate agents in Portland and starting making plans. Next morning we walk into the offices and were told the move was off".--There is no doubt that the deal gets done--it comes down to how greedy the Arizona owner is

 

[Jared Dunn]

Roy will be coveted by more than a few teams, but if they could get him and Skjei (or Lindgren) that'd really address the defence.

I have a feeling Stamkos stays in the state of Florida. Marsh is probably a bit too old for them. I think anyone that signs Reinhart will be disappointed when his production doesn't match what it was with Florida. To me Guentzal is the obvious target if they want another scoring winger which all of the big UFAs are.

I'm not sure what happened to Hayton, but even with him to me the Coyotes need one more middle 6 center. There's not much for UFAs.. maybe Stephenson. Lindholm probably goes to Boston. On the trade market I wonder about someone like Norris. Pinto finished the season strong, and if the Sens view Greig as a center then Norris could be available especially given his cap hit.

They are also in a salary cap position to give these guys absurd money on short term deals and not tie their hands for too long. Like is Lindholm going to turn down 2x10 when the other offers at this point are probably like 6x6?