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5 free agents the Coyotes should consider this offseason

By Nick McAdam

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 05: John Chayka of the Arizona Coyotes addresses the media during a press conference introducing him as the new general manager for the team at Gila River Arena on May 05, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 05: John Chayka of the Arizona Coyotes addresses the media during a press conference introducing him as the new general manager for the team at Gila River Arena on May 05, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 09: New York Islanders defenseman Calvin De Haan (44) colllides with Boston Bruins forward Teddy Purcell (41) as Boston Bruins center Frank Vatrano (72) looks for the puck during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders on December 9, 2017, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, The Bruins defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 09: New York Islanders defenseman Calvin De Haan (44) colllides with Boston Bruins forward Teddy Purcell (41) as Boston Bruins center Frank Vatrano (72) looks for the puck during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders on December 9, 2017, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, The Bruins defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Calvin de Haan

From glancing at theabove picture, maybe Calvin de Haan isn’t the most attractive free agent defenseman being offered this offseason. His stats and abilities tell a whole different story, however, and the Coyotes really need to take a look at him.

The New York Islanders are in a bit of a pickle at the moment. John Tavares is a huge name circling around the hockey world right now, and it’s looking like the Islanders might lose him. There needs to be some sort of clearing for New York to re-sign Tavares, and de Haan seems to be the guy most likely to hit the market from the squad.

The 27-year-old only managed 33 games this past season, but had he played more, de Haan would have been right on track with the rest of his career numbers. The defenseman notched one goal and 11 assists in those games, which was on a perfect pace to come near or break his career-high stat-line of five goals and 20 assists just a couple of seasons ago.

The Ontario native’s possession metrics are perfect for the depth role he played for the Islanders. His Corsi numbers hovered right near the NHL average every for single year de Haan has played.

Not to mention, there is some playoff experience that can transition over from de Haan as well.

There are always two sides to a player. It’d be one thing to mention everything positive about de Haan, but there might be some warning signs to be cautious about.

First, the Canadian has only played a full 82-game season one time in his career. He’s always missed at least 10 contests every other year.

Calvin’s even strength zone start numbers aren’t exactly the hottest, either. A 54 percent total had the Islanders most likely starting a face-off in their own zone each time de Haan was on the ice.

You’re going to get what you ask for with a depth defenseman. The Coyotes need exactly that right now to surround Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Hjalmarsson. A cap hit of around $3.4 million for de Haan isn’t the worst, but Chayka could always try to lower the asking price.

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