I listened to the last 10 minutes of Coyotes/Jets last night. I was quite pleased Winnipeg came back from a 2-0 deficit after the first period and pulled it out with what became the game winning goal a little past midway in the third. This was a HUGE swing game as Winnipeg is now 4 points up on Arizona. The two teams would have been tied if Arizona won in regulation.
Although Montreal and Chicago are slightly behind Arizona in the standings, it is not impossible Arizona finishes 8th worst. I cannot possibly overstate how critical that would be (assuming a team 9-15 doesn’t win a lottery ball) as it would guarantee the Devils secure two players from the “elite 8.” If Arizona finishes 9th worst, there’s also a decent enough chance as long as a team goes off the board with their pick. I’m thinking Sanderson could be that player who is taken a little higher than projected due to the fact potential elite defensemen are not the strength of this draft (see Detroit taking Seider as high as they did last year...which most folks thought was a huge stretch...it would be a bigger one than Sanderson going 8 due to his rapid ascent IMHO).
We will get more clarity on Arizona’s placement with each passing game. The surrounding teams in the standings are still relatively close so hopefully we see separation. It’s still a fluid situation at this point. Arizona has been trending downwards for so long and my gut tells me they’re more likely to finish 8-10 than 11-13...but I’m fearful the Coyotes somehow sneak ahead of the Canucks, Rangers, Panthers, Wild and/or Predators when it’s all said and done.
It was a perfect night really- Buffalo unexpectedly garnered two points with a shootout win over Washington (after a highly arguable goalie interference call negated a late third period go ahead goal by Montour) and Florida earned two points in St Louis, keeping them ahead of Arizona.
Although Montreal and Chicago are slightly behind Arizona in the standings, it is not impossible Arizona finishes 8th worst. I cannot possibly overstate how critical that would be (assuming a team 9-15 doesn’t win a lottery ball) as it would guarantee the Devils secure two players from the “elite 8.” If Arizona finishes 9th worst, there’s also a decent enough chance as long as a team goes off the board with their pick. I’m thinking Sanderson could be that player who is taken a little higher than projected due to the fact potential elite defensemen are not the strength of this draft (see Detroit taking Seider as high as they did last year...which most folks thought was a huge stretch...it would be a bigger one than Sanderson going 8 due to his rapid ascent IMHO).
We will get more clarity on Arizona’s placement with each passing game. The surrounding teams in the standings are still relatively close so hopefully we see separation. It’s still a fluid situation at this point. Arizona has been trending downwards for so long and my gut tells me they’re more likely to finish 8-10 than 11-13...but I’m fearful the Coyotes somehow sneak ahead of the Canucks, Rangers, Panthers, Wild and/or Predators when it’s all said and done.
It was a perfect night really- Buffalo unexpectedly garnered two points with a shootout win over Washington (after a highly arguable goalie interference call negated a late third period go ahead goal by Montour) and Florida earned two points in St Louis, keeping them ahead of Arizona.
Last edited:
