I dont hate what we got

It's a possibility but I think Minnesota and maybe even San Jose in front of Arizona

It's a toss up between Arizona, Minnesota, and San Jose. From what I've heard out of San Jose I think they might be out, when you consider how much injuries might affect this short season it's a complete coin flip. I mean if injuries get real bad then all the sudden we got the Ducks sneaking in at 4th.
I wouldn't mind if Wild missed playoffs, they still have a lot of reworking to this roster to do before they will actually be competitive.

Has Hjalmarsson regressed that mcuh?

Minnesota may be the only team in the league with worst center depth than the coyotes have. It’s going to be close but I think the coyotes can pull it out. The head to heads are going to basically be playoff games. I could see San Jose bouncing back but no team with that poor of goaltending is making the playoffs IMO.

No it’s just how the Coyotes have paired up for the last few seasons. OEL-Demers has been a pair for a few years now and Goligoski-Chychrun was our best pair last year. Oesterle can’t play the body so Hjalmarsson allows him to play off the puck. I’d prefer to have Capobianco there because he has more offensive upside but unless he really impressed in camp I think they’ll just put Oesterle out there.