Fansided

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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COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 23: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) celebrates with Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ian Cole (23) after scoring a goal during game 6 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on April 23, 2018. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 23: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) celebrates with Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ian Cole (23) after scoring a goal during game 6 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on April 23, 2018. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Ian Cole

It’s really the same situation with Ian Cole as it was with de Haan, except Cole can put Stanley Cup on his resume.

Cole really fills the role of a veteran, depth defenseman who can play in all zones of the ice. The native of Michigan hasn’t produced the most steady production lines over the course of his career, but the past couple of seasons have brought out a new kind of Cole who can do a lot for a young team on the brink of the playoffs.

A total of nine goals and 50 assists with the Penguins certainly helped them reach the Cup, especially with injuries down the stretch in the Penguins’ recent run. Since joining the Columbus Blue Jackets, he propelled a rather young side right into the postseason with two goals and five assists in the final 20 games in the regular season.

Cole’s possession numbers have been even better than de Haan’s over the past few seasons, as Cole has gone above the league average in Corsi percentage with 52 percent. The 28-year-old has been on the ice for at least 50 times a goal was scored throughout every season of his career, and Cole would have done it again if he played a full 82 games with Columbus.

The asking price for Cole has to be lower than de Haan, but the big problem right now has to be whether or not the Jackets sign Cole again. Being in the Metropolitan Division for the Jackets hasn’t been easy especially going up against the Washington Capitals and the Penguins in the first round recently.

The Jackets are right on the edge of contention for contention in the playoffs, and they’ll really need players like Cole around. Fans of the Coyotes will have to wait and see.

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