They are the Carolina of the west
Team is expected to turn a corner every year and they dont yet prediction never seems to change.
I don't agree.. Canes have been a mediocre team for years that always seem to get at least somewhat close but never make it.
Coyotes have flat out stunk. Haven't had any young stars besides OEL. No real identity, at least one that works. Watching that team under defensive minded coach Tippett was a mess.
The toughest thing to do when you're at the bottom is to find an identity and the confidence that you can beat any team on any given night. I would say the Coyotes have found both of those things. Under RT they're a fast skating team that pressures you hard but they're also capable of defending well. It all started in the 2nd half last year.
Now it's just about having a good enough roster to turn that into results. But that's where luck plays a part as well. .500 team at the 50 game mark with all the injuries they've had is pretty to close to max that they should be capable of to this point in the season.
This is why it's key to see them healthy. With any logic, their healthy squad should be able to stay above .500 and at that point you can realistically compete for a playoff spot.
Personally i hate when people don't see this. They've clearly took big steps and not just spinning their wheels. This is where you get the true feel like they're building something.
I've liked most moves Chayka has made and people don't give credit until they see results - understandably so - but nobody should be surprised if this team suddenly makes the playoffs sooner rather than later. They just need some luck at this point but as long as you stick with something that clearly works, it'll turn around eventually. And i would say the Yotes are in this spot.