The Arizona Coyotes Refuse To Tank For McDavid

Sep 22, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Martin Hanzal (11) celebrates with center Max Domi (16) and center Henrik Samuelsson (15) after scoring a goal in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

The Arizona Coyotes don’t have tanking ‘in their DNA’, according to Don Maloney

The Arizona Coyotes are nowhere near the worst team in the league.

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Even with a slow start to the season, the franchise sits a tier apart from the Edmonton Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres — and even with a self-imposed salary cap nearly $10 million under the actual limit, the team isn’t the least valuable team in the league.

While the Coyotes may not be terrible or destitute, though, it’s clear that this season is debuting a desert team that’s painfully average; with future stars like Max Domi and Henrik Samuelsson still skating in the minors, the Pacific Division club offers no real stand-out ‘franchise’ face. The closest they have to this is Captain Coyote Shane Doan — who is arguably the heart and soul of the franchise, but doesn’t have the star power that a player like Connor McDavid can offer.

With a Wild Card playoff spot looking like something the Coyotes may or may not be able to claw their way to, some have suggested the team go by the way of the 2004-2005 Pittsburgh Penguins. The team had no identity, little skill, and a disinterested fanbase; while the Coyotes may have some exciting prospects floating around, they certainly draw some slight parallels.

The team has no intention of doing this, though.

"“I don’t think that’s something I would ever accept under any circumstance,” Maloney said, per FOX Sports Arizona. “Tanking is not in [coach Dave Tippett’s] DNA, it’s not in my DNA, it’s not in ownership’s DNA and it’s not in the players’ DNA.“Just that idea destroys the whole credibility of an organization. We would all love a franchise player — or two or three — but that’s not how you go about it. … The only way you breed a winning culture is by going into every game looking to win.”"

Not a bad plan… if only they were, you know. Actually winning.

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