What can Michael Grabner provide for the Arizona Coyotes?

The Arizona Coyotes continued to add to an all out offensive project with their new free-agent signing Michael Grabner.

The Arizona Coyotes’ addition of Michael Grabner came at a good cost in terms of the Coyotes’ budget, with a reported three-year deal worth $3.35 million, which is then divided into $1.65 million per season according to Cap Friendly.

Grabner’s arrival likely comes as one of the biggest faces for Arizona this summer after the trade for Alex Galchenyuk. Aside from those two, things have been pretty silent in the desert.

Yet, being quiet sometimes does wonders for specific clubs especially in terms of the Grabner signing, which looks to do a lot to the line combinations of the current Arizona team.

https://twitter.com/grabs40/status/1013458227349151744

The Austrian won’t face a lot of competition in the right wing spot. Christian Fischer and Nick Cousins look to be locks for the third and fourth lines, leaving only Richard Panik in a spot above Grabner alongside Derek Stepan.

At the moment, it’s looking as if Grabner could play on the second line with Galchenyuk certainly leading the way. It’s going to be a test of new chemistry between the two new arrivals, but the speed shared among the duo cannot be overlooked.

That exact pace that Grabner uses is what has made him so valuable to buying clubs over the past few years. Hockey is reliant on speed and skill and even at his age of 30, Grabner still has a ton going for him in that department.

Rick Tocchet will have a lot to hit opposing clubs with after sending out his first line. Start out with the skill in Stepan and Clayton Keller, and then take a toll on stamina with the combination of Grabner and Galchenyuk.

What comes from Grabner’s blistering pace is a good amount of goal scoring. The past two seasons with the likes of the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers has seen the forward amount to 54 goals.

It seems to have been a recent spark in totals for the forward, which creates some worry in terms of consistency. Grabner amassed 29 goals total over three seasons with the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs before amassing his first 27 goal season in the Big Apple.

Another issue revolving around consistency was the Austrian’s trade to the Devils this past season. What was hoped to be a huge boost to the Devils’ run to make the playoffs only turned out to be two goals and three assists in 21 contests.

While the speed is certain, the point contributions can’t really be assured to Coyotes’ supporters. From the eye test, it looks as if Grabner would rather use his pace to accept a breakaway pass forward rather than control possession. Breakouts are a strength for Grabner, while his 45 percent Corsi rating for his years with the Rangers suggests that his squad can’t control the puck when he’s on the ice.

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 22: Thomas Greiss #1 of the New York Islanders makes a save against Michael Grabner #40 of the New York Rangers in the third period at Madison Square Garden on March 22, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

It looks to be the common denominator with a player like Grabner. If Arizona gets one thing from the forward, it could lose another. Tocchet will really have to be aware of the scenarios to put Grabner in because he’s really not a player that can withstand every on-ice situation.

The one area that makes Grabner a decent and worthy signing for Arizona is his defensive contributions. Recent seasons have seen the forward collect an average of 1.7 defensive point shares per game, which hovers around the NHL average.

The pace from Grabner will surely be tested on the penalty kill. If it works out for the kill of Arizona, Grabner could be a regular there from game-to-game with short-handed goals being a potential huge plus.

For Arizona overall, however, Grabner was a decent signing at best. As the season goes along, time will have to tell just how valuable he is. His abilities say that he can play in a array of scenarios, but his on-ice performances suggest that Tocchet will have to be very careful utilizing his new forward.

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Consistency is the big picture. Grabner cannot afford to divide producing rates over the course of the next three years.

Imagination says that Arizona will become very impatient if the winger produces 30 goals one year, and eight the following season.

The Coyotes elected to take their chances with three years on the deal. A one-year test run would have been a better choice especially if Tocchet gives Grabner second line minutes.

The hope is that Grabner can find the magic for a good portion of his contract with Arizona.

It would not be surprising to see the Coyotes make more moves offensively this summer, so stay tuned.

What are your thoughts on Grabner’s addition to Arizona? Should fans be excited about his potential, or worried about his consistency? Let us know in the comments section below.

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