Are the coyotes for real?

[Jonas_steven]

Hockey fans on here seem pretty bipartisan, so it will be interesting to hear what others think. I have been a coyotes convert since I moved to phoenix from Chicago. I have followed the team since the mid-2000s and would consider myself a hardcore fan. It seems to me that this team may be one of the best teams the coyotes have had so far. It is still very early in the season but I personally believe that this team is even better than the one who made it into the WCFs. Solidifying the ownership has given this team the security they needed to just step out on the ice and play. Mike smith has been spectacular in net and a revamped power play has made this one of the most prolific offenses in the league. Our defense has been rather flat this season due to injuries on all of the lines. We have shown a sense of resiliency, which is both good and bad, this season that allows this team to feel like they are never out of a game.

Thus, do you think this team is just playing good hockey or it is something that can be maintained? Are we a true contender?

 

[Cobiemonster]

They've been a good team the last few years, key is continuing to get solid goaltending from Mike Smith

As far as a true contender, who knows, as long as you're in the top 8 at the end of the season, you can do some things in the playoffs

 

[elocomotive]

As a quality hockey team, I think so. They've won or been in every game they've played in for a month and have a lot of quality wins in that W column. And I think they have a pretty balanced attack, so you can't just shut down a top line with them. There is a lot of experience on that squad right now and I think they have a lot of non-glamorous, but undervalued guys.

As a financially stable franchise, I think it's going to be tough on them over the long haul.

But I hope you'll join in the fracas more often as we could use some more 'Yotes fans.

Also, saying Rob Klinkhammer in a German accent is fun.

 

[BlueWolfZero]

Jury is still out...Mike Smith is forced to bail them out of too many games. They have an average goalie and they are .500 at best so far this year.

 

[esls79]

Mike Smith is approaching bat shit crazy (which isn't a bad thing for a goalie) It's mostly him and Tippet's system which emphasizes scoring this year apparently. I'd say right now they are probably the second best team in the Pacific behind the Sharks and just ahead of the Ducks and Kings.

 

[elocomotive]

Jury is still out...Mike Smith is forced to bail them out of too many games. They have an average goalie and they are .500 at best so far this year.

Well, they are 13-7, so they're a little better than .500, to be fair.

 

[Jonas_steven]

A lot of good perspective. I yell myself hoarse when our defense decides to leave smith on an island, which is happening more frequently than in recent years. Smitty has had to work this season( I believe he has faced over 600 shots on goal already) which does not bode well for a supposed "grind-it-out" team. Without smith we are nowhere near as successful as we have played this season. I do think our forecheck is quite good and the offense from the blueliners is really an unexpected treat!

 

[Jonas_steven]

I picked San Jose to win the division but I expected us to compete with Anaheim and Los Angeles for second and third. The pacific division is by far the best in hockey so far! It seems like a must see matchup when the top 5 teams play each other!

 

[BlueWolfZero]

Well, they are 13-7, so they're a little better than .500, to be fair.

No, I meant if they had had an average goalie as their starter instead of Smith for their games, I doubt they would even have half of their wins so far this year.
You only have to watch the Yotes play to see they aren't an elite team. the last two games alone vs really good Blues and Hawks teams they were horrendously outplayed even though they somehow got 3 of 4 pts out of those games. Playing like that only works for so long until your goalie gets worn out.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Insane amount of depth, good defense, good goalie, and now some good scoring. I don't doubt the Yotes.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Insane amount of depth, good defense, good goalie, and now some good scoring. I don't doubt the Yotes.

I don't doubt them either. They play their system & have enough offense to get the job done. I definately think they're for real.

 

[BlueWolfZero]

For real or not, the "fan base" there is continuing to prove they don't deserve a team this good. The thought of a Cup parade in that market makes a lot of people sick

 

[Cobiemonster]

For real or not, the "fan base" there is continuing to prove they don't deserve a team this good. The thought of a Cup parade in that market makes a lot of people sick

Agreed

 

[davnlaguna]

Agreed

I bet they get as many people as the ducks did





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