NHL Season point total<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
Phoenix over 82½ -1.15 (the Greek)
Ok, let’s see if I have this correct. The Coyotes finished last season with 83 points and this posted total is less then that. Incredible. Incredible because the Coyotes should be so much better with the addition of perhaps the most underrated player in the game in Olli Jokinen. All Jokinen did with the Panthers last season was put up 89 points (38 goals and 51 assists) and working with the Great One can only improve his game. Also remember that the Coyotes started the year without a proven or reliable goaltender and their stock increased dramatically as soon as Ilya Bryzgalov arrived. He and Mikael Tellqvist make up one of the top five goaltending tandems in the league. The Coyotes have some tremendous young talent in Kyle Turris, Martin Hanzal and Peter Mueller and it’s been reported that Kyle Turris is as good as any rookie to come along in years. Yes, they have youth to rely on but youth also brings enthusiasm and this group of youngsters is a highly skilled bunch. Defensively, the Coyotes lost Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton but so what. Ed Jovanovski could crack any line-up and I’m not really sure if anyone even knows how good Zbynek Michalek really is. He led the team with a plus-9 and when he goes into the corner for the puck, nine times out of ten he gets it. Derek Morris is also solid. Keep your eye on Keith Yandle, as he’s a great puck-handling defenseman and when other GM’s call the Coyotes to discuss trades, Yandle is the guy they want. Bottom line here is that the Coyotes are so much better then they were a year ago and asking them to duplicate last year’s output seems like a complete no-brainer to me. Also, Gretzky is becoming more accomplished every season behind the bench and if anyone understands the game and what it takes to succeed, it’s him. Man, this one looks like a lock. Play: Phoenix over 82½ -1.15 (Risking 3.45 units to win 3).
fficeffice" /><o></o>Phoenix over 82½ -1.15 (the Greek)
Ok, let’s see if I have this correct. The Coyotes finished last season with 83 points and this posted total is less then that. Incredible. Incredible because the Coyotes should be so much better with the addition of perhaps the most underrated player in the game in Olli Jokinen. All Jokinen did with the Panthers last season was put up 89 points (38 goals and 51 assists) and working with the Great One can only improve his game. Also remember that the Coyotes started the year without a proven or reliable goaltender and their stock increased dramatically as soon as Ilya Bryzgalov arrived. He and Mikael Tellqvist make up one of the top five goaltending tandems in the league. The Coyotes have some tremendous young talent in Kyle Turris, Martin Hanzal and Peter Mueller and it’s been reported that Kyle Turris is as good as any rookie to come along in years. Yes, they have youth to rely on but youth also brings enthusiasm and this group of youngsters is a highly skilled bunch. Defensively, the Coyotes lost Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton but so what. Ed Jovanovski could crack any line-up and I’m not really sure if anyone even knows how good Zbynek Michalek really is. He led the team with a plus-9 and when he goes into the corner for the puck, nine times out of ten he gets it. Derek Morris is also solid. Keep your eye on Keith Yandle, as he’s a great puck-handling defenseman and when other GM’s call the Coyotes to discuss trades, Yandle is the guy they want. Bottom line here is that the Coyotes are so much better then they were a year ago and asking them to duplicate last year’s output seems like a complete no-brainer to me. Also, Gretzky is becoming more accomplished every season behind the bench and if anyone understands the game and what it takes to succeed, it’s him. Man, this one looks like a lock. Play: Phoenix over 82½ -1.15 (Risking 3.45 units to win 3).
