A Step in the Right Direction

Team: 2019-20 Arizona Coyotes

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 10, 2019

Published: Jun. 12, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

For the first time in years, the Arizona Coyotes were in the thick of the playoff chase right down to the last few games. This progress has shifted the gears in the minds of management and they feel that now is the time for this team to push some of their chips in and make some noise in this league. To get them over the hump and into the post season GM Chayka is going to be aggressive during the UFA period to attempt to upgrade his roster. They need to sign a top 6 forward with the hopes of competing for and winning at least a wild card spot next season to bring some excitement to the fan base, similar to what Carolina's run this season did for theirs. If they don't start winning some fans soon, they could be on their way to Houston or Kansas City at some point in the future as they cannot continue to lose money at the rate they have been for much longer.

RFA's
Archibald signs for 2 x $1.25M and competes for a role on the third or fourth line.
Bunting signs his qualifying offer to likely play most of the year in the AHL.
Cousins signs 2 x $1.35M looking to compete for the #3/4 C/LW role.
Crouse signs for 2 x $1.25M and competes alongside Garland & Cousins for a role higher up the lineup (#3/4 LW)
Fashing signs one year qualifying offer to play in the AHL predominantly.
Hill signs 2 x $800k to play the starters role in the minors
Lybushkin signs for 2 x $1M to be the #7 defender as he brings a physicality that's lacking on the Coyotes blue line.
Mayo and Pettersson sign qualifying offers to likely remain in the AHL for another year of development.
The remaining RFA's move on from the organization.

UFA's
I think Arizona circles back and makes an offer to Panik for 3 x $3M if they miss all their other targets. He may receive a better contract elsewhere though.
All other Arizona UFA's are let go.
Arizona offers Duchene a 6 x $7M but is likely out bid by a non budget constrained team with stable ownership.
They shift gears and go after one of Dzingel (4 x $4.25M) or Nyquist (6 x $5.75M) to attempt to get scoring by committee. OEL & Hjalmarsson help to successfully recruit their countryman.

Trades
Moved Connauton for a pick as there are a number of young LD that will soon be pushing their way up the depth chart.
Sent Ottawa Hossa's cap hit as they will be looking to meet the floor as cheaply as possible.
If the Coyotes miss out on Nyquist & Dzingel, I look to them submit a trade package to get Hoffman (something like Merkley + 1st/2nd + Cousins/Garland/Archibald?) out of Florida and re-sign him to an extension [6 x $7M]. I don't think they can afford to chase Hall unless its only as a deadline rental.

Lineup
Crouse, Cousins, Archibald, and Garland battle it out most of the year for the bottom six roster spots. If Fisher plays more like his first NHL season than his second, he will be a lock to play everyday and if not risks losing his spot to one of the aforementioned guys as well. LW on PP#2 is a reward position and could be filled by a number of guys depending on who is playing their best. Archibald and Lybushkin start in the press box, though both will get into games this season. If Hayton makes the team out of camp, the Coyotes may look to trade Cousins, Crouse, Archibald or Garland. Cobianco is the first D call up and Hayton is the first forward call up (if Hayton makes the team it's Merkley). Team still has a ton of cap space to add a UFA scorer (Hoffman, Hall or similar) at the deadline but I kept the internal budget of the team a consideration.

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