Since a surprising run to the Western Conference Final in 2012, the Arizona Coyotes have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons, and there is little doubt that they will extend that streak in 2015-2016.

Defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is a rising star, but he also led the Coyotes with just 43 points last season and Arizona’s top two goal-scoring forwards were Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker, with 14.

So, it’s time for new blood. While the Coyotes have some vets in place, they also have a mish-mash of journeymen and mediocre NHLers. If there is to be any enthusiasm about this season it will be related to the progress of prospects, most notably Max Domi and Anthony Duclair, the latter acquired from the New York Rangers in last season’s Keith Yandle trade.

Those prospects are the start of a long-term rebuilding plan, and the Coyotes have been stocking the cupboards, but the anticipated prize of the 2016 Draft is Auston Matthews, a Scottsdale, Arizona native, and the way this team is currently constructed, the Coyotes will have an excellent chance to be in that lottery.

 

OFF-SEASON HEADLINES

June 27: Flyers trade Pronger’s contract to Coyotes

July 1: Vermette headed back to Coyotes

 

2015-16 ARIZONA COYOTES

* Off-season Addition

 

Projected Lines

LW C RW
Anthony Duclair Antoine Vermette* Mikkel Boedker
Max Domi Martin Hanzal Steve Downie*
Tobias Rieder Brad Richardson* Shane Doan
Kyle Chipchura Boyd Gordon* Joe Vitale
John Scott* Brendan Shinnimin  

Fighting For Jobs: LW Brendan Perlini, C Dylan Strome, C Christian Dvorak, RW Henrik Samuelsson

 

Projected Pairs

LD RD
Oliver Ekman-Larsson Zbynek Michalek*
Nicklas Grossmann* Michael Stone
Klas Dahlbeck Connor Murphy
  Stefan Elliott

Fighting For Jobs: LD Keith Aulie (PTO), LD Philip Samuelsson*, RD Corey Potter (PTO)

 

Projected Goalies

No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
Mike Smith Anders Lindback* Louis Domingue

Off-season Departures: C Sam Gagner, C Mark Arcobello, D John Moore, LW Lauri Korpikoski

Projected Lineup: Sarah McLellan, Arizona Republic

 

SERAVALLI'S THREE QUESTIONS

1. Will No. 3 overall pick Dylan Strome make the jump to the NHL?

2. Will Max Domi or Anthony Duclair be the first line left winger?

3. Can veteran defencemen Keith Aulie and Corey Potter earn a contract?

 

 

BUTTON'S TOP PROSPECTS

Top 2015-16 Prospect

C Max Domi (London, OHL): Outstanding sense, skill and competitiveness. Developed as a key leader last season.

Long-Term Prospect

C  Christian Dvorak (London, OHL): Exceptional sense and combined with excellent skills, has a chance to be an impact player.

* Listed with 2014-15 teams

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

THREE-YEAR BREAKDOWN (LEAGUE RANK)

  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Points 87 (19th) 89 (18th) 56 (29th)
Goals For 2.5 (21st) 2.6 (20th) 2.0 (29th)
Goals Against 2.6 (T-15th) 2.7 (18th) 3.3 (28th)
Power Play 15% (T-25th) 20% (4th) 20% (7th)
Penalty Killing 80% (22nd) 79% (26th) 77% (T-28th)
SAT% Possession 51% (13th) 51% (13th) 49% (22nd)

* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total

 

ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $58.5M/$71.4M

Keeping costs low, the Coyotes are well below the cap even though they have more than $4.9-millon of Chris Pronger’s contract on the books for each of the next two seasons.

 

PARTING SHOT