PHOENIX (not Hamilton) COYOTES
The Coyotes hope to make one more big splash in free agency but, if the season started today, we'd line up like this:
Doan - Zubruis - Mueller
Prucha - Lombardi - Upshall
Afinogenov - Turris - Boedker
Clark - Hanzal - Tikhonov
Foster - Lydman
Sauer - Yandle
Michalek - Picard
Bryzgalov
Key acquisitions
Chris Clark, RW, from Washington -- Health has been a concern the past two years, but Chris's speed fits right in with what we're trying to build here. He also brings veteran leadership. Our biggest hole last year was a lack of forwards who were rock solid in our own zone and kiling penalties. Chris fits the bill in both of those categories. We expect him to return to form and be good for 40+ points, and take up residence in front of the net as he loves to do, another hole in our game last year.
Danius Zubruis, C, from New Jersey -- Like Clark, Zubruis plays a solid two-way game and is a proven 40-50+ point guy. He's big, another thing we lacked last year, and is solid in the faceoff circle. That was also a huge problem for us, especially on the power play where we expect Danius to see plenty of time for us in 2009-10.
Maxim Afinigenov, RW, from Buffalo -- When you think Maxim, you think speed. And he'll finally be skating on a team where his speed is matched and, in some cases, surpassed by those skating with him. Brings size and 40-50 point potential. We fully expect that with his speed Maxim will be more comfortable on the rush and in the offensive zone, knowing it is not his sole responsibility to fall back when the puck goes the other way. Knowing his linemates also have speed to burn will allow him to focus more on his offense that was good for 60 and 70 points just two years ago.
Kurtis Foster, D, Minnesota -- Kurtis suffered an horrific leg injury in camp last year, but came back to put up 6 points in the Wild's final 10 games. He's a big, exciting D-man with huge offensive potential. We expect him to be a key force on our power play with his booming shot. He plays a solid, aggressive defensive style and his size provides an imposing sight for other teams' forwards entering our zone.
Toni Lydman, D, from Buffalo -- Another big defender, Toni is rock solid in his own zone and has offensive upside. He makes few mistakes with the puck and is another big improvement for us in helping out Bryz in front of the net. To many times opposing players set up shop in fromt of our net and we lacked the big bodies to knock them out of there. We've addressed that big time with Kuris, Toni, and the next guy we'll speak about.
Alexandre Picard, D, from Ottawa -- He's 23, big, and already has shown adeptness and maturity playing in all three zones. Again, making us much improved in the defensive zone. He also brings a booming shot and PP prowess. We fully expect that with the minutes Alexandre will get here he will establish himself as one of the better all-around defensemen in the league, with 30-50 point potential each and every year.
Martin Biron, G, from Philadelhpia -- Marty comes to us fully expecting to challenge for the #1 goalie spot, and we expect that as well. We love Bryzgalov as our #1 but had to rely too much on youngsters Al Montoya and Josh Todjman to back him up in case he got hurt. We moved Todrdjman in the off-season and acquired the Devils' #1 golaie prospect, Jeff Frazee. The acquisition of Biron allows us to let Al and Jeff batle it out in San Antonio and continue their development. We see both as #1 future goaltenders in this league.
KEY LOSSESS
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Enver Lisin and Ed Jovanovski -- Big losses, no question, and we'll miss them. But as the only key roster players we had to give up to acquire the Big 7 acquisitions it was a risk we felt we could take, and will make us vastly improved. Lisin is all about speed and Maxim and Clark help make up for that, while both brining a defensive prowess that Enver lacked. Picard, Lydman and Foster cushion the loss of Jovo, and greatly improve our defensive depth. The new three join holdovers Kurt Sauer, Zybenek Michalek and Keith Yandle. Veteran defensive defenseman Ken Klee remains as one who is reliable and ready to fill any D-role we need him to.
More scoring, more two-way players, better play in all three zones, more physical, and a better blend of youth and experience make the expectation of great things ahead for this year's Phoenix Coyotes. And, we have one more trick up our sleeve that will make us that much better if we're able to make the deal. And our roster can rest assured that the battle lines are drawn for positions next season.
