Expectations are low if not non-existent for the Arizona Coyotes this season. After starting 0-4-1 with a league-worst -17 goal differential, the only expectation for the ’Yotes could be a last place finish. This should not come as surprise either; Arizona’s entire off-season was about off-loading talent, using their salary cap space, adding draft picks and prospects, and not committing to any long-term free agent deals. More than half of the current roster will be unrestricted free agents next summer as the team is fully committed to just to a rebuild but to a complete overhaul.
After dealing away both Darcy Kuemper and Adin Hill and letting Antti Raanta walk, the Coyotes started fresh in net this season. While 25-year-old Czech import Karel Vejmelka has drawn the headlines after winning a roster spot and earning more time and better numbers thus far, it is veteran Carter Hutton who was tapped as the new starter albeit on a one-year deal. While the Yotes’ plan is clearly not to contend in any manner this season, if they don’t want to completely isolate their fan base then they need to at least stay competitive and Hutton gives them that chance – despite some abysmal numbers early on this season.
Well, Hutton may now be unavailable. Hutton suffered a lower-body injury on Monday night and was forced from the game after the first period, the team announced. No further update has been revealed, but any extended absence would be a tough blow for the Coyotes, even though it contributes to their primary goal of contending for a top pick this year. The Coyotes are giving up a lot of shots early this season and it is not an environment in which a young goalie is likely to thrive. Yet, behind Vejmelka would be either 23-year-old Josef Korenar, who struggled in ten games with the San Jose Sharks last season, and 22-year-old Ivan Prosvetov, who took his lumps in three games with the ’Yotes last year. Things could get even uglier in the desert if Hutton is out long-term, so hopefully the injury is not serious.
The Coyotes also lost young defenseman Conor Timmins to injury in the same game, one of the few players on the roster that Arizona really wanted and needed to play a major role this season as a potential future top-four blue liner. Free agent addition Ryan Dzingel was also ruled out with an injury in the game. Things are not going well in Arizona right now.
Welcome to Arizona, Cory Schneider!
Lol. Unfortunately Corey makes $500K in the minors. The Coyotes don’t want that kind of huge financial risk.
Just move them already
was thinking the same thing…
Eeeesh. Why are they even BOTHERING with thinking about Tempe? They are going to torch the fanbase so thoroughly that Houston, or Hamilton, or Quebec City, or Milwaukee are going to wind up the only options.
Heck, we’re already seeing the syndrome in Buffalo. The team’s off to a great start, but watching the highlight clips, the lower bowl’s still half empty for home games. And Buffalo’s twice the hockey town that anywhere in Arizona will ever be.
Move them to Las Vegas, an actual desert town they would thrive in. Oops… too late, Damn it!
after watching Hutton in Buffalo the last few years, this actually makes Arizona better and gives them a chance at winning, which is bad for them if their plan is to lose for 1st overall. That’s the only reason to sign Hutton and play him…..