Listening to the Phoenix Coyotes game was just like watching it.

Disappointing.

The Nashville Predators worked harder, played tougher, and executed better in all facets of the game as they trounced the Coyotes 4-1. Peter Forsberg, Paul Kariya, and Martin Erat paved the way for those that scored for the Predators which included Scott Hartnell, J.P. Dumont, and Jason Arnott.

There is an excellent chance that the Predators will play for the Stanley Cup this spring, but they will have to get through the Detroit Red Wings as they have five games remaining with Hockey Town's finest. These are games that I will not be missing.

It's time for the Coyotes to figure out who their core players are, and since the NHL is a league of copy-cat systems, taking cues from the Lightning, the Sabres, and the Ducks would be well advised for a franchise that needs to build for the future. In other words, find out who the young players are that will solidify the franchise, and build through the draft.

Wayne Gretzky needs players without any ill-conceived notions about how to win in the current era of the National Hockey League. He needs young players with a hungry work ethic so that he can teach them how to work harder in order to improve.

A current example is Keith Ballard. He was an excellent prospect coming into the Coyotes and now he is developing into one of the top line defenseman teams salivate over because they know how valuable they are. All he knew is how to play hockey. Ulf Samuelsson, Barry Smith, and Gretzky, are molding him into a top tier player.

Because he is one of the few who gets it as he works hard every day and in every game.

When these core players are identified (much like Martin St. Louis, Vinny Lecavalier, and Brad Richards in Tampa Bay), the supporting cast can come in and round out the team. With solid goaltending, the Coyotes will improve to a team that the Valley can be proud of.

As for right now, Coytoes fans will have to sit and wait.

Again.

Original post by PB and software by Elliott Back

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