2014-15 season thread. It's a new year & name

[Lefty]

No one is predicting much from the Arizona Coyotes this year and I don't mind that one bit. The success of this team will depend on if the defense improves. Also, who will replace Vrbata's scoring.

I love opening night in every sport and can't wait until the puck is dropped tonight against the Jets. I hope the team can get off to a fast start this year, it will give the guys confidence and hopefully bring in more people to the games. Can't have a start like the Diamondbacks had.

 

[Azlen]

Four goals given up in the first period against Winnipeg. It's going to be a long year.

 

[BillsCarnage]

Are you chit'n me!?!? 5-1 after two to the thrashers!

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Smith was horrid. I guess he is still living on his one good year. Weak goal after weak goal just killed any momentum after Boedker's goal to even it at 1 goal a piece. At some point the Yotes need to realize that talent on offense is required to win in the NHL. Frustrating game to watch.

 

[Phrazbit]

They're going to be awful this year. Its a bummer. Its going to be a long 4 years if the ownership takes a look at this and decides to minimize their loses and keep the payroll as small as possible up until they can move the team.

I hope something works out, but I just don't see it. It was going to be tough to win this fan base over from day 1 and the franchise just screwed up too many times. That arena should never have been built in Glendale.

 

[Lefty]

Smith was horrid. I guess he is still living on his one good year. Weak goal after weak goal just killed any momentum after Boedker's goal to even it at 1 goal a piece. At some point the Yotes need to realize that talent on offense is required to win in the NHL. Frustrating game to watch.

I kindly disagree, defense wins championships. I have never been a big Stone fan and with Yandle, they both were terrible last night. Offensively, Erat played lousy. I hope Domi will be called up soon, could bring a few people to the arena to watch the kid.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

I kindly disagree, defense wins championships. I have never been a big Stone fan and with Yandle, they both were terrible last night. Offensively, Erat played lousy. I hope Domi will be called up soon, could bring a few people to the arena to watch the kid.

Not many games are won 0-0, but I can always get behind ragging on Yandle, so I will ring that bell with you. He is terrible most every night.

I guess what bothers me the most is that we saw what "grit" over talent did for the DBacks the past couple of years. The Yotes are on that same path, in my opinion. I think defense does win the championship, but we haven't had A+ or even B+ level 'tending for a couple of years now.

 

[Iceman]

Not a good way to start the season under our new name. Maybe Gila River may second guess themselves as the new arena sponsor if we continue to play like this!

 

[Azlen]

I guess what bothers me the most is that we saw what "grit" over talent did for the DBacks the past couple of years. The Yotes are on that same path, in my opinion. I think defense does win the championship, but we haven't had A+ or even B+ level 'tending for a couple of years now.

I'm hoping that the new owner is willing to spend some money. I don't think they were going for grit, I think they were going for cheap.

 

[Azlen]

Nice bounce back win against the Kings. Smith wasn't in goal of course though.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Was a nice win - seems like every mistake ends up in the back of the net, though. Got to tighten that up. Boedker's goal was sweet! I was pleasantly surprised that we got 3 behind Quick.

 

[Lefty]

Did not see the game but was happy to see they came back from 2-0 down. Wonder if Smith was not happy that he did not start.

 

[puckhead]

Played the system. Stayed disciplined. Got the win. Tippett hockey can work but the effort has to be there for 60.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Boedker with the hat trick as the Yotes win 7-4 over the Oilers. Once again the Coyotes get down early with bad defensive play, but this time had enough offense over a young Oilers team. Good to see them tally 7. Smith looked pretty soft again, and I can't stand Tyson Nash being the paid cheerleader of Yandle. Clean up the TOs and this team can have some success. The team looked a little more cohesive with Chipchura in there, in my opinion. I like his effort.

 

[puckhead]

Checks calendar, yep, preseason is over. I like a win as much as the next guy, but pond hockey is no recipe for success with our group. I cannot imagine what Tipp had to say after this, but we'll miss the playoffs for the third year in a row if we try to play like that all year. The conference will eat us up if we try that garbage again. I think it was something like 30+ turnovers last I checked!

Happy for Boeds' first hatty, but we cannot go toe to toe playing fire wagon hockey with the LA's, Ducks, SJ's, Blues, etc.

 

[puckhead]

So four games in and the soul-searching begins. We don't deserve to be .500 right now. I'm not sure where to start but our D-men really need to wake the F up.

 

[puckhead]

Well, that was a much better effort in Nashville last night even though we came up short in the SO. That kind of effort and a little chemistry could give us a chance against most of the teams out there, but there isn't much room for error, that's for sure. We just don't have the skill to steal too many games this year.

Oh, and we are definitely in the midst of a goalie controversy.

 

[puckhead]

Didn't get to watch last night, but don't look now, that's three losses in a row.

Minny's a good team and word is Smith looked better. So there's that.

 

[BillsCarnage]

This season is going to be painful to watch. They missed out on FA last summer and did squat this past summer to improve the team.

And mow the new relocation cloud is forming. Truth or gossip, only time will tell and we have 4 more years of this...

I just don't see the talent on this team to be competitive over the course of the season.

 

[puckhead]

Yotes get hammered 7-3 in TB. Shaping up to be a looooong season.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Yeah - just so many turnovers and mistakes. Although I don't think it is all on Smith, I would like to see Dubnyk get a few consecutive starts.

 

[puckhead]

Yeah - just so many turnovers and mistakes. Although I don't think it is all on Smith, I would like to see Dubnyk get a few consecutive starts.

I wasn't expecting a long cup run this year, but wow, a couple of players have taken big steps backwards. *cough*OEL*cough*

I'm starting to question Playfair's D system and I'm wondering how much rope Tipp's going to give him.

 

[BillsCarnage]

Smith has literally been a shadow of himself

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[puckhead]

And the suck continues in Florida as former Yote Scottie Upshall pops out of the penalty box and slides one through Smitty's gaping five-hole.

Good times.

 

[gmabel830]

Smitty's gaping five-hole sounds strangely erotic.