When talking about a tough team in the NHL, we all assume it's the Anaheim Ducks. But not this year, this year there is a new team of bullies, the Phoenix Coyotes.
Don Maloney, the Coyotes GM, asked Shane Doan and Ed Jovanovski if they thought the team needed more "toughness" and they both said "absolutely".
And that is exactly what Maloney has been getting for the team this offseason.
If you looked at their team before the offseason, you would see that they already had some grit. Guys like Shane Doan, Ed Jovanovski, Garth Murray, and Daniel Carcillo all play a physical game and are not afraid to drop the gloves.
Carcillo is especially willing. Last year, he played in 57 games, getting 23 fighting majors with 324 penalty minutes. He also got 24 points making him more than just a fighter.
But let's just take a look at what they have added this offseason.
First they traded for Olli Jokinen, who is a great player that plays with a physical edge and will stick up for his teammates when needed.
Then they brought in Kurt Sauer. A big, hard hitting defenseman who also has a lot of skill.
Then they brought in the big tough guys, two of them actually: Brian McGrattan and Todd Fedoruk.
Brian McGrattan being 6'4" at 234 pounds, is not a guy you are going to want to mess with. In the 2004-05 season, while only playing 71 games managed to get 551 penalty minutes with 43 fighting majors. Now that is a lot.
Then there is Todd Fedoruk who also used to be a legit heavyweight fighter in the NHL before getting metal plates in his face from fights. Todd still lays the body real hard and fights on occasion, but now concentrates a lot more on scoring. He wants to improve that part of his game over the offseason.
I know there is still a lot of time before the season starts, so there could definitely be some more trades around the league. But as of right now, the Phoenix Coyotes look to be the toughest team in the league and will literally bully all the rest of the opposing teams.
4 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Chris Hoeler 11 months ago
Good stuff Rob. But I don't think the Coyotes are looking to bully teams. The reason they brought these guys in was because they want to protect the young guys. Obviously they are definitely going to be a much more physically intimidating team but I don't think the game plan game to game is going to be go out and bully the other team around. They want to protect their young players and by becoming bullies, it might draw more attention in going after the young players which they don't want. But I see where you are going and this team is certainly going to be alot tougher.
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Alan Bass 11 months ago
they need to re-sign carcillo. he is a great young fighter and grinder who can score as well
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Rob Webb 11 months ago
They re-signed him to a 2 year deal.
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Cameron Paul 11 months ago
Great Article. I like all of the guys the Coyotes brought in the off season. If Fedoruk can produce 20+ points I would be very happy with that.
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