What If the Phoenix Coyotes Folded? A Fantasy Dispersal Draft

Okay, so we're all fed up with the soap opera that has become the Phoenix Coyotes' bankruptcy proceedings. Wouldn't it be nice if the Coyotes just folded?

The result would mean the players would be thrust into a dispersal draft, which is far more exciting than anything we have witnessed this summer.

How would it all shake out? Which players would find a new home? Which players would be left unemployed?

First we will need to decide on a draft order. To be fair, I would think that the NHL would opt to go with this year's entry draft order.

That would mean the New York Islanders would draft first overall, the Tampa Bay Lightning would draft second, the Colorado Avalanche would draft third, and so on.

Here’s how I feel the draft would work out—obviously opinions will vary, but here it goes...

New York Islanders—Need everything, but rather than a veteran, the Islanders would probably look for a younger player. My money's on the Islanders drafting right wing Peter Mueller (13-23-36 pts).

Tampa Bay Lightning—Could use a veteran forward here, but in the long run they would be smart to look for a long-term fit. The Bolts draft young gun Mikkael Boedker (11-17-28 pts).

Colorado Avalanche—Definitely in a rebuilding mode, the Avalanche need a goalie. That means goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov (26W-31L-6OT- 2.98 GAA-3 SO, .908 SV%).

Atlanta Thrashers—Having a penchant for European players, the Thrashers go with center Martin Hanzal (11-20-31 pts).

Los Angeles Kings—Deep in young talent, perhaps the Kings seek a more veteran presence here. With the fifth pick, the Kings take 32-year-old left winger Shane Doan (31-42-73 pts).

Toronto Maple Leafs—Burke likes “energy” players, and he’ll get a fireballer in right winger Scottie Upshall (15-19-34 pts), a perfect fit.

Dallas Stars—Dallas does not have to re-invent the wheel, as they are close to landing a playoff spot. Therefore, I see the Stars going for a veteran, selecting center Matthew Lombardi (14-32-46 pts).

Ottawa Senators—Need some help on the back end, so the Senators go for defenseman Keith Yandle (4-26-30 pts).

Edmonton Oilers—The Oilers have a very young core from which to build, so I say they take a risk and select undersized center Kyle Turris (8-12-20 pts).

Nashville Predators—Nashville needs some depth on forward and defense, but in the end the Preds select defenseman Zbynek Michalek (6-21-27 pts).

Minnesota Wild—In dire need of a scoring forward, the Wild select center Joakim Lindstrom (9-11-20 pts).

Buffalo Sabres—Looking for depth, the Sabres go with right winger Petr Prucha (6-13-19 pts).

Anaheim Ducks—Always looking for speed, the Ducks go with right winger Enver Lisin (13-8-21 pts).

Columbus Blue Jackets—Columbus is on the right track, but they could use a solid D-man with veteran presence. The Blue Jackets select Ed Jovanovski (9-27-36 pts).

St. Louis Blues—A team that could use a backup goalie to play behind Chris Mason, the Blues select goaltender Al Montoya (3-W-1L-1SO- 2.08 GAA- .925 save %).

Florida Panthers—Florida need some prospects, so the Panthers select Forward Lauri Kopikowski (6-8-14 pts) *with New York Rangers last season.

Montreal Canadiens—Looking for depth, the Canadiens select veteran forward Taylor Pyatt (10-9-19 pts.)

New York Rangers—The Rangers go for the young Russian and select right winger Viktor Tikhonov (8-8-16 pts).

Carolina Hurricanes—Slim pickings left on the Coyotes' roster at this point, but the ‘Canes select steady veteran D-man Kurt Sauer (1-6-7 pts).

Calgary Flames—Everybody else takes a pass, but not before Calgary selects veteran D-man Dmitri Kalinin (2-15-17 pts).

Let’s face it, there is not much left, most of the other teams will take a pass or take a shot in the dark at a guy like center Kevin Porter or right winger Steven Goertzen.

As a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, nothing would make me happier than to see a little pressure put on the Leafs by adding another team to Southern Ontario. That said, this scenario—while highly unlikely—sure would be exciting, wouldn’t it?