The Arizona Coyotes are on a spectacular run of form, having claimed five consecutive victories over the past six Stanley Cup champions.
The Vegas Golden Knights (2-0), Tampa Bay Lightning (3-1), Colorado Avalanche (4-3 OT), St. Louis Blues (4-1) and Washington Capitals (6-0) have all been dealt a blow by André Tourigny’s team, which sees them sitting firmly in fourth place in the Central Division.
The consecutive run of victories has the Coyotes sitting just four points behind divisional leaders, the Avalanche, in what is arguably one of the closest-run divisions in the entire league.
The gap between first and fifth in the Central is just five points. The Pacific, by comparison, has an astonishing 15-point gap between the same two places. Over in the Eastern Conference, the Atlantic Division is separated by 10 points, and the Metropolitan Division has an 11-point gap.
The Coyotes truly are carrying their weight in a tough division. Clayton Keller continues to lead the team offensively, playing at a point-per-game pace with 24 (eight goals, 16 assists) through 24 games; Connor Ingram looks to be establishing himself as a starting NHL goaltender after years of promise, even being named the league’s First Star of the Week.
Even Michael Carcone, who has spent the majority of his professional career in the AHL with almost 400 games compared to just 53 NHL games, leads the team in goals with 12. Players are contributing at all levels of the game and at all positions, with Sean Durzi and J.J. Moser the points leaders along the blue line.
A team that is so in sync, forging ahead despite the naysayers, is deserving of reward. This may not be in the form of season-end accolades or the Stanley Cup, but a team such as this showing true promise just one season removed from being initial favorites for the Connor Bedard sweepstakes, deserves something.
That something, is a trade that would bring in a big-name player to help the team’s efforts and push towards the playoffs by season’s end.
It has been reported recently that the Coyotes have spent time mulling over Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin. This is the kind of move and player that could galvanize the team and truly tip them over the edge of their potential.
Confidence is undoubtedly high within the dressing room at Mullett Arena, and general manager Bill Armstrong should show the team that he believes they are capable of reaching the playoffs, and even pushing beyond the first round, by bringing in a player who shows the team means business.
Defense is the most logical area that the team could bolster, with injuries rearing their heads recently that threatened the Coyotes’ good run, and a name like Hanifin could have a big impact on the team’s progress. This is especially true if Sean Durzi has to miss significant time after leaving the game early against the Capitals.
With so many draft assets at their disposal, the Coyotes will surely be buyers as they move closer to the trade deadline, barring any unforeseen catastrophe, and going big seems to be the only truly logical approach that can have a significant effect on what they are trying to achieve.
They’re not necessarily going to land players that are considered world-beaters or generational talents. Still, they will surely be able to target players of a certain standing within the league that can have a positive impact moving forward.
This will be the first time the team has had this kind of mentality since landing Phil Kessel and Taylor Hall in seasons past, but those kind of moves may very well be what comes next for the Arizona Coyotes, especially if they continue to impress as they have done so far.