Better Know a Contender?

I figure since this may be the last season this team actually exists, it would probably be a good idea to get them out of the way as early as possible.  Wouldn't want to miss the van ride up to Quebec now would we?

But there is something terribly ironic about a team named the Coyotes, being located at the southern-most part of the country, who will quite probably be deported across a completely different border than one would expect in this situation.  It just gives me the chuckles, is all.

But hold the phone, because if the Coyotes can keep up this early surge, then they might not be going anywhere.  What's that?  No one in Arizona gives a shit about hockey and they're screwed no matter how long they keep this up?  Fair enough.  But what say we not worry about this for right now?  Bien.


The Coyotes have always been in need of good leadership, as well as goal-scorers.  It's when management gets the two confused that things become a problem.

Hey, we suck! 

Well, what if we get Wayne Gretzky to coach our team?

Yeahhhhh, best player everrrrr.

Also, maybe the worst coach ever.  So prior to the season, the Coyotes went out and did what any logically thinking, back-against-the-wall organization would do; they fired their terrible, terrible head coach and to fill the leadership void picked up some actual leadership materials in players such as Robert Lang and Adrian Aucoin.  And early on, these maneuvers have seen dividends not only in terms of more consistent play for the Coyotes, but in terms of offensive production, as well, which is important considering Phoenix was one of the worst scoring teams in the league in 2008.

But perhaps the real story for the Coyotes is their improved team defense, for while there was an offensive famine the previous season, it was also a defensive flood as the Coyotes allowed 249 goals (over 3 per game).  At least at this very early point in the season, the 'Yotes seem to be working in the right direction, having only allowed 10 goals in 7 games played, thanks to the improvement in team defense, as well as the net-minding skills of the Ilya Bryzgalov.

Players to Watch:

Shane Doan: The closest thing that Phoenix has to a superstar, Doan has led the team in scoring over the last two years and appears to be off to a good start this season, as well.  However, Doan is much more of a playmaker than he is a goal scorer, which means that Phoenix still needs to find a consistent sniper if Doan's resources are going to be put to good use

Ed Jovanoski: While rapidly approaching Joe Smith-level draft bust, Jovanoski has become a fairly stable body for three franchises in his career.  While never fulfilling the expectations as the number 1 overall draft pick, Jovanoski, while a terribly frustrating, has been serviceable at the very least.  So why watch him this year?  Well, because he already has 3 goals this season, which is only 6 fewer than he had in the entire 2008 campaign.  So maybe he's just a late bloomer...

Ilya Bryzgalov: After a disappointing 2008 campaign, and now armed with a vote of confidence from team management, Bryzgalov appears primed for a breakout season after a hot start.  However, it will be difficult to maintain considering that the Coyotes are already allowing over 30 shots per games, so only time will tell if ol' Ilya will be be able to survive the onslaught while maintaining that nifty little 1.14 GAA.