The season is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to look towards the future. We do that every year with the Five For Howling 25 Under 25, ranking the Coyotes’ best players under 25. For this year’s rankings, I am joined by James Reeve (@JamesRJReeve), Mike Gould (@miketgould), Haynes Evans (@HaynesPEvans), and Matthew Jacobson (@TheAZSportsGuy).
J.J. Moser
2022-23 League: NHL (Arizona Coyotes)
Games Played: 82
Goals: 7
Assists: 24
World Championship Games Played: 7
World Championship Goals: 1
World Championship Assists: 1
Highest Rating: 4
Lowest Rating: 9
After being drafted 60th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2021, J.J. Moser has been a consistent piece of the Yotes’ blueline. Moser was an over-ager, and he transitioned to North American professional right away, spending 18 games with the Tucson Roadrunners in his first season and playing all 82 games with the Desert Dogs last season.
Moser was a big part of the Coyotes’ defense last season, especially as the season progressed. He finished third among Coyotes’ defensemen in time on ice per games played behind Jakob Chychrun and Shayne Gostisbehere, second in short-handed time on ice behind Patrik Nemeth, and he finished number one in power play time on ice.
Given the amount of time Moser played, it should come as no surprise he had a few different partners. He spent almost half his time with Patrik Nemeth but came alive with his second-most frequent partner, Juuso Välimäki.
Despite Moser and Välimäki playing well together, there is nothing to say they will be together next season. The Coyotes made some significant changes to their defensive corp, and there is a strong possibility that Matt Dumba or Sean Durzi will fit with either Välimäki or Moser better than they work with each other.
Moser has one year left on a contract, which will see him as a restricted free agent. Moser seems like he will be a big piece of the Coyotes moving forward, but now is the season for him to prove it and earn himself an extension and a raise.
Over the past two years, Moser has shown that he is a player who works hard and improves every year. We don’t know what his ceiling is, but he could be a very effective second-pairing player for the Coyotes if he keeps it up.