Arizona Coyotes sign some new faces –
General Manager Don Maloney has been very busy lately re-tooling his roster, bringing in some new players and signing some very familiar faces. Today in Part 1 we will look at the new players. It’s only the first week in July and this team looks nothing like the team that spiraled down the standings in the second half of the 2014-15 season. I don’t think it would be a stretch to say that as of right now, if you factor in the resent acquisitions and the “potential” of a couple of the incoming prospects that the Coyotes opening night roster in 2015-16 will be better than last year’s!
Let’s start with the new faces:
Steve Downie
Status: UFA
Contract: signed a one year deal worth $1,750,000.
Last team: Pittsburgh
Drafted by: Philadelphia Year: 2005 NHL Entry Draft Round: 1st Overall: 25th
Position: RW Shoots: Right
DOB: Apr. 3, 1987 Born: Newmarket, Ont.
Height: 5’11 Weight: 190
2014-15 NHL Stats: Regular season
Games: 72 G: 14 A: 14 Pts: 28 PIM: 238 Plus/Minus: +2
Steve Downie will play an agitator role but with the ability to actually contribute offensively. He is a good skater with a strong work ethic that is tailor made for the grinding Western Conference.
Reaction – 👍
Brad Richardson
Status: UFA
Contract: signed a three one year deal worth $6,2490,999 that carries a AAV of $2,083,333 per season.
Last team: Vancouver
Drafted by: Colorado Year: 2003 NHL Entry Draft Round: 5th Overall: 163rd
Position: LW Shoots: Left
DOB: Feb. 4, 1985 Born: Belleville, Ont.
Height: 6′ Weight: 195
2014-15 NHL Stats: Regular season
Games: 45 G: 8 A: 13 Pts: 21 PIM: 34 Plus/Minus: +0
Brad Richardson is a versitile forward that can take face-offs, kill penalties and play a solid defensive game. He is very familiar with the Western Conference and should fit into a 3rd-4th line role for the Coyotes.
Reaction – 👍
Nicklas Grossman
Status: acquired by trade with Philadelphia (Grossmann, the contract of Chris Pronger for forward Sam Gagner and a conditional draft pick)
Contract: signed through the 2015-16 season at $3,500,000 with an AAV of $3,500,000
Last team: Philadelphia
Drafted by: Dallas Year: 2004 NHL Entry Draft Round: 2nd Overall: 56th
Position: LD Shoots: Left
DOB: Jan. 2, 1985 Born: Stockholm, Swe
Height: 6’4 Weight: 230
2014-15 NHL Stats: Regular season
Games: 68 G: 5 A: 9 Pts: 14 PIM: 32 Plus/Minus: +8
Nicklas Grossman has some history with Coyotes bench boss, Dave Tippett and is a decent fit with him only having one year remaining on his current contract. I don’t believe the Coyotes have any long-term plans for the thirty year old but he should be a reliable depth defenceman that can block shots and help on the PK.
Reaction – 👍
Anders Lindback
Status: UFA
Contract: signed a one year contract worth $875,000.
Last team: Buffalo
Drafted by: Nashville Year: 2008 NHL Entry Draft Round: 7th Overall: 207th
Position: G Shoots: Left
DOB: May 3, 1988 Born: Bavle, Swe
Height: 6’6 Weight: 210
2014-15 NHL Stats: Regular season
Games: 26 GAA: 3.11 SV%: .909
Anders Lindback should be a nice back-up for Mike Smith this season. He is just coming into his prime and he is a big, strong, athletic goaltender. In his final 16 games with the Buffalo Sabres last season he posted a very impressive 2.76 GAA and a .924 SV%. This signing is no harm, no foul in my opinion. There is nothing but upside for the Arizona Coyotes.
Reaction – 👍👍
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