Watching Jack Eichel play in Glendale, AZ last night brought up how needy the Vegas Golden Knights were at the center position. They now have a number-one center to go along with such talented guys as Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault. The past Arizona Coyotes centers have attempted to fill that void, but they have failed thus far. They are hopeful with this year’s NHL draft to change that. IF they can manage to be fortunate enough to draft either Shane Wright this year or Conor Bedard next year, things could change.
The Coyotes Have Not Had a True First Line Center Since Jeremy Roenick
They thought they had one in Daniel Briere, but traded him in 2003. He went on to score 290 points in his next 290 games. Then in 2007, they drafted Kyle Turris third overall in hopes he could fill the role. That didn’t work out when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for a second-round pick in 2012. Turris had just 19 goals, 27 assists in 137 games with the Coyotes.
-
Ep 28: NHL Draft Lottery; Stanley Cup; Islanders Coaching Situationby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2022 at 1:13 am
Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel discuss the results of the NHL Draft […]
The most realistic shot the team had to get a number-one center came in 2015. And, it appeared that they had a legitimate chance at the first overall selection with 13.5 percent odds. Yet, the curse of the draft hit them. What was at stake? None other than Connor McDavid, who has become the best player on the planet. The Edmonton Oilers jumped from the third-best odds at 11.5 percent to leapfrog over the Coyotes and the Buffalo Sabres who had the best odds with 20 percent.
The end result was McDavid to Edmonton, Eichel to Buffalo and Dylan Strome to Arizona. Most avid NHL fans know which two teams got the better of that draft, and it was one with a desert climate.
Past Arizona Coyotes Centers
Over the years, the Coyotes haven’t had a true superstar play at the center position. They’ve had Daymond Langkow (316 games, 79-G, 117-A) four times. Martin Hanzal (608 games, 117-G, 196-A) six times. Steve Reinprecht (231 games, 51-G, 92-A) four times. Antoine Vermette (291 games, 70-G, 79-A) four times. More recently, they’ve had Christian Dvorak (302 games, 67-G, 79-A) four times, and Derek Stepan (224 games, 39-G, 80-A) three times.
None of the above-mentioned centers had the firepower or offensive talents to lead the Coyotes to a lofty position or compete for a Stanley Cup. Ever since 2010, the NHL teams which have won it all had a top center or two to carry the team to a championship. From David Krejci, Jonathan Toews, Anze Kopitar, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Ryan O’Reilly, and to Steven Stamkos… it was the key to victory.
Around FPC
NHL:Â NHL Power Rankings: Calgary Flames Surge Into Top 5
NHL:Â Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald Looking To Build Towards The Future
NHL:Â NHL Hard Salary Cap Has Forced Teams To Exploit LTIR
NFL: Odell Beckham Jr., Rams Agree To One-Year Deal
Wrestling: WWE Once Again Chooses To Go Back To Brock LesnarÂ
PODCAST:Â The Final Word on Hockey Show: Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Coyotes GM Is Doing It Right
What do all these star centers who have won the Cup have in common? They were all drafted by the teams who hoisted the Cup. Arizona Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong is very aware of that. That is why he is putting the franchise through a tough rebuild. His intention is to foster some young talent he can use to build a winner. It’s painful, but if done correctly the dividends will be fruitful.
If the Vegas Golden Knights win it all this season, it will be the first team since 2010 who have done it by acquiring a number-one center via a trade. While that is certainly possible, a center by the name of Nathan MacKinnon who was selected first in the 2013 draft by the Colorado Avalanche, may have some input into that.
Armstrong’s moves have generated a treasure chest full of draft picks. While all of them may not pan out, some will; and that should enrich the Coyotes’ chances of becoming a winning franchise.
Build from within… it has proven to be a winning formula.
-
Ep 28: NHL Draft Lottery; Stanley Cup; Islanders Coaching Situationby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2022 at 1:13 am
Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel discuss the results of the NHL Draft […]
-
Ep 27: Golden Knights Fall Flat; Canucks Stay Aliveby Full Press Coverage on April 20, 2022 at 3:05 am
The Vegas Golden Knights had a chance to close the gap, but fell flat […]
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
-
Ep 73: Bruins Face Elimination; Bruce Cassidy On Hot Seat; Patrice Bergeron Final Standby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Ian and Chris discuss game six between the Bruins and Hurricanes and the […]
-
Ep 72: Bruins Acquire Hampus Lindholm; More Moves To Come?by Full Press Coverage on March 20, 2022 at 3:34 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the trade of Hampus Lindholm to the Bruins and what […]
-
Episode #379 - The 2022 NHL Playoffs - First Roundby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 2:02 am
The NHL playoffs are well underway and the series are definitely not going […]
-
Episode #378 - The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 3, 2022 at 2:01 am
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here! Which also means that it's grilling […]
-
Episode #100: 21-22 AHL Awards Showby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 12:00 am
On the 100th episode of The Calder Farmstead, C.C. and Sean hand out the […]
-
Episode #99: The Multiverse of Madnessby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 3:33 am
The multiverse of AHL playoff madness is upon us! With two first round […]
-
Episode #100: 21-22 AHL Awards Showby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 12:00 am
On the 100th episode of The Calder Farmstead, C.C. and Sean hand out the […]
-
Episode #99: The Multiverse of Madnessby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 3:33 am
The multiverse of AHL playoff madness is upon us! With two first round […]
-
Ep 60: #KrejciForever and Raised Expectationsby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Ian and Chris talk about the Bruins post trade deadline turnaround and […]
-
Ep 59: Bruins Swing Big At Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Ian and Chris welcome in Mike Cratty to discuss the trade acquisitions of […]
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
Ian and John discuss the release of the NFL schedule.
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's post-retirement contract with Fox to […]