Arizona Coyotes' Cyber Monday: Buy Or Sell These Players
Nov 25, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) scores on Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) during a shootout at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Cyber Monday is here and the Arizona Coyotes are 20 games in. What (and who) should we buy or sell as fans?
With Cyber Monday here everyone will be hopping online to see what else they can snag for the holidays, and Arizona Coyotes fans are no different.
The Coyotes made significant moves in the off season as well as faced many questions on players who have been around.
On Cyber Monday let’s take a look at what Coyotes fans should buy and sell going forward this season.
Nov 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski (33) carries the puck during the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Buy or Sell: The Acquisition of Alex Goligoski? — SELL
The Coyotes spent a hefty fee to upgrade their defense, and the largest portion of that went to former Dallas Stars blue-liner Alex Goligoski.
However, 20 games into this deal is a bit like a Cyber Monday deal where the retailer takes a $200 smart phone and jacks up the price to $350…and then puts it on sale of 50% off.
The reality is that you only saved $25 dollars.
Goligoski came to the Arizona Coyotes as a puck-moving, possession driving defenseman.
Never known for his defensive game, Goli has been north of 50% Corsi For at 5v5 for pretty much his entire career.
This season? He’s at 41.1% CF at 5v5.
Fourth worst on the team, and worst among players who have played more all 20 games.
Arizona’s reality with Goligoski is that through the first 20 games we were thinking we got an upgrade, but so far he has turned out to be more of a landline (or landmine, if you will).
Nov 17, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Arizona Coyotes forward Anthony Duclair (10) warms up against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won in overtime 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Buy or Sell: Anthony Duclair’s Slump? — SELL
Put him on eBay and hope someone gets into a bidding war over him.
Take this item that once had potential to be a 1970s Star Wars Figure still in the box, but this season is looking more like a Beanie Baby fad.
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When the Arizona Coyotes acquired Anthony Duclair, watching him in his rookie season made fans think he could be a perennial star for the Coyotes.
However, 20 games in his value is fading fast.
In some aspects, it truly is a slump that he’s mired in.
The problem is he has generated just 25 shots in 20 games as a goal-scorer.
Hard to break out of a slump when you aren’t really trying to score, and that has to be the most concerning part for management and Coyotes fans.
Nov 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Max Domi (16) misses an empty net as Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) is out of position during the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Buy or Sell: Max Domi is the Real Deal — BUY
It is no secret the Coyotes have struggled.
There have been a few bright spots, however. Well, maybe less than a few.
One of those bright spots is Max Domi.
Max Domi is like finding a Cyber Monday deal that can’t be beat on Kmart.com.
In this metaphor, the Coyotes would be Kmart.
As in the world tends to forget they still exist, so you get the deal all to yourself and can tell your friends about it without fear of it selling out too quickly.
I’m buying that Max Domi can be a star in this league, though it has been difficult because the Coyotes as a whole have been awful.
With his goal against Edmonton, Domi may be back on track and proving why Coyotes fans have to have faith in some of the team’s youth.
Nov 25, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) and right wing Shane Doan (19) celebrate with teammates after beating the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in a shootout at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Buy or Sell: Coyotes 2.0 — SELL
Coyotes 2.0 is the “not a slogan” that by definition is still a slogan.
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The Arizona Coyotes sent a letter to fans apologizing for past slogans and mishaps and advertised a changing of the guard to Coyotes 2.0. Well, 20 games in I want an apology, or at least an explanation.
Were the Coyotes marketing staff naive or did they think they were clever for assuming their fans were dumb enough to believe that Coyotes 2.0 wasn’t a slogan?
Was it that last year the Coyotes were version 1.0 and they assumed 2.0 would be an upgrade?
Then this years Coyotes are the Windows Vista of the NHL. There has been no upgrade.
File not found.
Maybe wait until we are sure we are going to win a few games before we proclaim Coyotes 3.0, or 2.1, or whatever the next version happens to be.
Nov 16, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Anthony DeAngelo (77) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Buy or Sell: Anthony Deangelo — BUY
Anthony DeAngelo is the basically the Cyber Monday steal. GM John Chayka acquired him for a second round draft pick.
How’s that for bargain hunting?
DeAngelo isn’t necessarily the big ticket Black Friday item you camp out or line up for, but this particular gift is the Christmas deal that you will probably end up using the most.
He isn’t flashy, but he is the necessary socks from grandma that the Arizona Coyotes need.
Six points in nine games is a pretty good start.