Fansided

Projecting every NHL team’s chances of hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2019

By Griffin Youngs

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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24. Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes made significant improvements this season in order to at least compete for a playoff spot this season after not making the postseason since 2012. After years of futility, this season is vital to see if they can actually be a threat with this core.

Last season the Arizona Coyotes finished in 29th with 70 points after a historically terrible start to the season. If all goes to plan, a much better season could be ahead.

Why they could win

After the All Star Break last season, the Coyotes were one of the hottest teams down the stretch to the end of the season, and they can hope to carry that momentum into this season with an improved lineup to perhaps compete for a playoff spot. 

Those improvements include trading for Alex Galchenyuk to bolster their center depth and legitimize their offensive threat. Michael Grabner was also a solid addition to help shore up the weakness on the right wing.

Already on the team is Calder nominee Clayton Keller, who could very well develop into a superstar if he can improve on his rookie season. There is actually a lot of talent youth ready to play in the lineup right now, with just enough experience veterans to lead the way.

If the Coyotes can have a healthy Annti Raanta in net, he could steal plenty of games to help them compete for a spot. Last season he was injured for a majority of the year, but once he came back he was statistically one of the best goalies in the league, posting .930 save percentage in the 47 games he played. If a goalie can do that for a full season, it helps mask a lot of problems in front of them.

Why they won’t win

While the Coyotes are the first team with a somewhat realistic chance at making the playoffs, it’s hard to imagine they go any farther than that if they get there at all. 

The Coyotes’ lineup is finally not terrible, but the downside to having all that young talent on the team is it still needs some NHL seasoning before they really start going for a playoff spot. Until those guys get some more skills, the lineup looks mediocre for the time being.

There’s just too many questions and things that have to go perfect for the Coyotes to get into the playoffs, and it’s hard to see if these guys will be a success or failure before what we see what they can do on the ice.

Conclusion

Overall, I think Arizona will break out of the league basement this year and be competitive, but a playoff spot might be ambitious right now. Their best chance is that the weak Pacific Division falls off completely and they can get in as a third seed, because the Central Division in all likelihood will take the wild card spots in the Western Conference.

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