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Which Coyotes free agents will return; which will not?
Coyotes restricted free agents:
Forwards:
Mikkel Boedker (2014-15 salary, $2.8M): Boedker was having a good season before he suffered a ruptured spleen in January in Winnipeg, ending his year. He scored 14 goals and put up 28 points in 45 games. General manager Don Maloney and Boedker's agent, Jarrett Bousquet, will meet again this week after what Bousquet termed "a very good talk" on Saturday. Boedker wants a long-term deal and can become an unrestricted free agent in a year. A middle ground may be a four-year deal with an annual average between $4 million and $5 million. Boedker's camp believes he can make $5 million a year on the open market. At the very least, if this goes to arbitration, Boedker will play one or two more years in Arizona.
Return chances: Definitely will return
Mark Arcobello (2014-15 salary $600,000): Arcobello embodied the classic underdog story last season. He scored nine goals in 27 games and finished with 16 points. While fans saw a player who might be able to produce for a team lacking offense, the team's evaluators also saw a player who struggled in his own end, made poor decisions with the puck and was too small to match up against the big centers of the Western Conference. Unless Arcobello fields no offers and both sides are willing to work a two-way deal, his brief stint in Arizona is likely over.
Return chances: Unlikely to return
Tye McGinn (2015 salary $600,000): McGinn was essentially a body to fill out the roster after the Coyotes' rash of trade deadline moves. He didn't do anything wrong, but he doesn't figure into the team's plans.
Return chances: Won't return
Craig Cunningham (2014-15 salary $600,000): Cunningham played well enough in his short stint to warrant a second look if the situation is right. He could be a serviceable player that shuttles back and forth between the AHL and NHL.
Return chances: May return
Defensemen:
John Moore (2014-15 salary $850,850): Moore was part of the Keith Yandle deal. Coach Dave Tippett seemed intrigued enough with his potential as a former first-round draft choice that he could be back unless he is part of a trade. But he also did not impress in his stint so the Coyotes could look to add other players. Arizona needs the depth on its blue line.
Return chances: May return
Brandon Gormley (2014-15 salary $810,000): Gormley is just 23. Defensemen can take a while to reach NHL maturity, but the Coyotes would like to have seen more from the 13th overall pick in 2010. The guess here is the Coyotes will tender Gormley another offer, particularly when you consider how thin they are at this position in their minor-league system. It's past time, however, for Gormley to show significant progress.
Return chances: Likely to return
Klas Dahlbeck (2014-15 salary $620,000): Of all the acquisitions the Coyotes made at the trade deadline, Dahlbeck seems like the surest bet for a lengthy NHL career at this point. He would have played for the Blackhawks last season had it not been for their cap situation, and he'll be a fixture on the Coyotes' blue line for years to come. He even has a mentor now in fellow Swede Nicklas Grossmann.
Return chances: Definitely will return
Goalies:
Louis Domingue (2014-15 salary $550,000): Domingue got his first taste of NHL action last season and posted a memorable win in his hometown of Montreal on Feb. 1. There are still questions about his fiery temperament, but Domingue may have vaulted to the lead of the Coyotes' goalie prospects list, given the injuries to Mark Visentin (ankle) and Mike Lee (hip), who are also restricted free agents. Arizona still views him as a top prospect but his competition increased when the Coyotes drafted Adin Hill and Erik Kallgren.
Return chances: Definitely will return
Coyotes unrestricted free agents
Forwards:
Viktor Tikhonov (played in KHL): The 2008 first-round pick (28th overall) wants to return to the NHL but he will test the market rather than agreeing to a deal with the Coyotes while they still own his rights for three more days. Maloney is interested in bringing Tikhonov back, and Tikhonov enjoyed playing for coach Dave Tippett, but it is unlikely Arizona will get into a bidding war, which is exactly what Tikhonov and his agent, Thomas Lynn, want teams to do.
Return chances: Unlikely to return
Martin Erat (2014-15 salary $2.25M): Erat didn't produce much offense in Arizona but he drove shot attempts (and probably possession) more than any other Coyote. He wants the chance to compete for a Cup contender while the Coyotes want to infuse youth. The Coyotes will be down to one Czech player next season.
Return chances: Won't return
B.J. Crombeen (2014-15 salary $1.150M): Crombeen was part of the Coyotes' most underwhelming offseason in recent memory. He has the work ethic, but little else to help Arizona.
Return chances: Won't return
David Moss (2014-15 salary $800,000): Moss was a favorite target of Coyotes fans, who watched him miss scoring chances and contribute little on offense. The truth is, Moss is a hard-working, honest player who is deeply respected by his teammates and coaches for his character and loyalty. Unfortunately for Moss, the Coyotes are going in another direction and he may have to flirt with playing in Europe again this year.
Return chances: Unlikely to return
Justin Hodgman (2014-15 salary $550,000): Hodgman was the classic example of fans being blinded by production in the preseason. The details of his game were a mess last year, and that became apparent to everyone who was trained and/or paid to evaluate him.
Return chances: Unlikely to return
Defensemen:
Andrew Campbell (2014-15 salary $550,000): Campbell's insertion into the lineup gave the Coyotes a glimpse of the physical presence and defensive-zone stability they had been lacking. He's still more of a depth player, but he could help the team on a two-way contract if the price is right.
Return chances: May return
Which Coyotes free agent will return; which will not? | FOX Sports
Coyotes restricted free agents:
Forwards:
Mikkel Boedker (2014-15 salary, $2.8M): Boedker was having a good season before he suffered a ruptured spleen in January in Winnipeg, ending his year. He scored 14 goals and put up 28 points in 45 games. General manager Don Maloney and Boedker's agent, Jarrett Bousquet, will meet again this week after what Bousquet termed "a very good talk" on Saturday. Boedker wants a long-term deal and can become an unrestricted free agent in a year. A middle ground may be a four-year deal with an annual average between $4 million and $5 million. Boedker's camp believes he can make $5 million a year on the open market. At the very least, if this goes to arbitration, Boedker will play one or two more years in Arizona.
Return chances: Definitely will return
Mark Arcobello (2014-15 salary $600,000): Arcobello embodied the classic underdog story last season. He scored nine goals in 27 games and finished with 16 points. While fans saw a player who might be able to produce for a team lacking offense, the team's evaluators also saw a player who struggled in his own end, made poor decisions with the puck and was too small to match up against the big centers of the Western Conference. Unless Arcobello fields no offers and both sides are willing to work a two-way deal, his brief stint in Arizona is likely over.
Return chances: Unlikely to return
Tye McGinn (2015 salary $600,000): McGinn was essentially a body to fill out the roster after the Coyotes' rash of trade deadline moves. He didn't do anything wrong, but he doesn't figure into the team's plans.
Return chances: Won't return
Craig Cunningham (2014-15 salary $600,000): Cunningham played well enough in his short stint to warrant a second look if the situation is right. He could be a serviceable player that shuttles back and forth between the AHL and NHL.
Return chances: May return
Defensemen:
John Moore (2014-15 salary $850,850): Moore was part of the Keith Yandle deal. Coach Dave Tippett seemed intrigued enough with his potential as a former first-round draft choice that he could be back unless he is part of a trade. But he also did not impress in his stint so the Coyotes could look to add other players. Arizona needs the depth on its blue line.
Return chances: May return
Brandon Gormley (2014-15 salary $810,000): Gormley is just 23. Defensemen can take a while to reach NHL maturity, but the Coyotes would like to have seen more from the 13th overall pick in 2010. The guess here is the Coyotes will tender Gormley another offer, particularly when you consider how thin they are at this position in their minor-league system. It's past time, however, for Gormley to show significant progress.
Return chances: Likely to return
Klas Dahlbeck (2014-15 salary $620,000): Of all the acquisitions the Coyotes made at the trade deadline, Dahlbeck seems like the surest bet for a lengthy NHL career at this point. He would have played for the Blackhawks last season had it not been for their cap situation, and he'll be a fixture on the Coyotes' blue line for years to come. He even has a mentor now in fellow Swede Nicklas Grossmann.
Return chances: Definitely will return
Goalies:
Louis Domingue (2014-15 salary $550,000): Domingue got his first taste of NHL action last season and posted a memorable win in his hometown of Montreal on Feb. 1. There are still questions about his fiery temperament, but Domingue may have vaulted to the lead of the Coyotes' goalie prospects list, given the injuries to Mark Visentin (ankle) and Mike Lee (hip), who are also restricted free agents. Arizona still views him as a top prospect but his competition increased when the Coyotes drafted Adin Hill and Erik Kallgren.
Return chances: Definitely will return
Coyotes unrestricted free agents
Forwards:
Viktor Tikhonov (played in KHL): The 2008 first-round pick (28th overall) wants to return to the NHL but he will test the market rather than agreeing to a deal with the Coyotes while they still own his rights for three more days. Maloney is interested in bringing Tikhonov back, and Tikhonov enjoyed playing for coach Dave Tippett, but it is unlikely Arizona will get into a bidding war, which is exactly what Tikhonov and his agent, Thomas Lynn, want teams to do.
Return chances: Unlikely to return
Martin Erat (2014-15 salary $2.25M): Erat didn't produce much offense in Arizona but he drove shot attempts (and probably possession) more than any other Coyote. He wants the chance to compete for a Cup contender while the Coyotes want to infuse youth. The Coyotes will be down to one Czech player next season.
Return chances: Won't return
B.J. Crombeen (2014-15 salary $1.150M): Crombeen was part of the Coyotes' most underwhelming offseason in recent memory. He has the work ethic, but little else to help Arizona.
Return chances: Won't return
David Moss (2014-15 salary $800,000): Moss was a favorite target of Coyotes fans, who watched him miss scoring chances and contribute little on offense. The truth is, Moss is a hard-working, honest player who is deeply respected by his teammates and coaches for his character and loyalty. Unfortunately for Moss, the Coyotes are going in another direction and he may have to flirt with playing in Europe again this year.
Return chances: Unlikely to return
Justin Hodgman (2014-15 salary $550,000): Hodgman was the classic example of fans being blinded by production in the preseason. The details of his game were a mess last year, and that became apparent to everyone who was trained and/or paid to evaluate him.
Return chances: Unlikely to return
Defensemen:
Andrew Campbell (2014-15 salary $550,000): Campbell's insertion into the lineup gave the Coyotes a glimpse of the physical presence and defensive-zone stability they had been lacking. He's still more of a depth player, but he could help the team on a two-way contract if the price is right.
Return chances: May return
Which Coyotes free agent will return; which will not? | FOX Sports