Keeping the Faith - Defensive Pairing Thoughts
Okay in day 2 of the Free Agent period I have had time to do some research…
Don Maloney became a genius when he got Bryzgalov from the Ducks for free. The Coyotes proved they aren’t too stingy nor too broke to pay for what they really want when they signed Breezy to the 4 year 4mill per contract (for all those who say the Yotes won’t go past 3 years… they also offered Vrbata 4 yrs btw).
Now that being said… GMDM is very focused on what he wants and the word value is his mantra and his vocation. He simply will not be cowed nor swayed into over paying for anything. He sets a bar and that my friends is that.
So we signed Kurt Sauer (so far our only defensive signing) for 4 years at 1.7 mill per. According to everything I have read so far, this guy is a serious steal. Check out the links below for comparisons and numbers. If Kurt can develop chemistry with DMo we are in for a treat at the #2 pairing. Much as we miss Bally and his hipcheck (and the 21 points he eked out), Kurt will probably not provide more than 10 points but he will augment DMo in the shut down pairing role and possibly allow DMo the opportunity to let his own offensive skills shine.
According to the new depth chart, Sauer may be seeing 3rd pairing minutes with Matt Jones? 2 stay at homes together? Well it kinda makes sense since on the same chart they show Z hand holding Yandle. (all that practice w/ Jovo makes our Z the perfect shepherd for Yentle…seems like another year of punishment to me but what do I know?)
http://coyotes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=TeamDepthChartPage&dcid=76
With a top pairing of DMo and Jovo we have a possibility of right AND left shot on point for our PP! finally. Jovo was overused on the PP last season but a combination of DMo with one of the young gunners running the secondary unit is intriguing as hell.
Secondary pairing of Z and Yandle is scary. (tell me Yandle w/ 20 minutes of ice time doesn’t freak you out and I’ll call bullshit) But with the premiere TOI-hand-holding champion riding shot gun for the kid, it may give Yandle time and space to learn. He’s got to learn to show no fear. He’s got to step up any aggressive tendencies he may have. But if not, Z will save him from most of his brain farts (if Z goes minus for the year, I do NOT want any shit out of any of you! There’s only so much miracle working my boy can do)
// Click here to read the rest from Hip Shot Blog
Join the discussion at The Locker Room Forum. Arizona Sports 24/7.
Posted by Hip Shot Blog
COYOTES HIP CHECK. Phoenix Coyotes Insight : Shooting Straight from the Hip.
http://blog.coyoteshipcheck.com/
(Rate this post)
Loading ...Related Articles:
