NHL 2023 Futures Exclusive Spotlight: Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes will turn heads this NHL season.

There must be a full moon out tonight because I am putting a full unit on the Arizona Coyotes to exceed all expectations this season. Yes, you read that right. This is a team who has slowly been clawing their way out of the basement and after some sharp offseason moves I believe they will soar past their season point total line of 76.5 at -115 on BetUS

So why the Arizona Coyotes?

There are three main reasons why I am all about the Coyotes this season.

1. A fantastic offseason

2. Evolving core of young players

3. Mullett Magic

Let’s start with the offseason.

Coyotes best offseason EVER

I’m not exaggerating here. I’ve been a diehard Coyotes fan since they moved to the Valley in 1996, and this was far an away their best offseason. Yes, better than when they traded for an aging Phil Kessel.

The Coyotes have added some major pieces to their roster to help them take the next step in becoming a competitive team. First they brought back 3rd line center Nick Bjudstad who had a fantastic season with them last year. Then they shocked the NHL world by signing top 6 forward Jason Zucker and top 4 defenseman Matt Dumba to one year “show me deals”. Both players not only bring a veteran presence to the team, but should be motivated to play their best to secure new long term contracts next offseason.

The Coyotes also traded for Sean Durzi to help add some more offense to their defensive core and in what may be their most important move they signed Logan Cooley. Cooley was the 3rd overall pick in 2022 and has shown signs that he may be a superstar in this league. He is a Calder favorite (rookie of the year award) and has the potential to put up 60+ points this season. Just check out his amazing preseason goal!

Non-zero chance Logan Cooley has already scored one of the five best goals of the year. pic.twitter.com/0zcefymO2U

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) September 23, 2023

All of these additions should keep the Coyotes competitive and help their young core continue to grow and develop.

Shining Young Stars

Clayton Keller exploded last season, notching 37 goals and 86 points. He solidified himself as a top winger and true game changers in the league. His linemate Nick Schmaltz had another near point per game season with 58 points in 63 games. Lawson Crouse is looking like a premier powerforward in the league. JJ Moser and Juuso Valimaki turned heads last season as steady two-way defensemen. And of course top 6 forward Matias Maccelli has a coming out party, finishing in the top 5 for Calder voting.

All of these players are 27 years old or younger and are entering their prime. It wouldn’t surprise me if many of these players have career years this season now that they are surrounded by more skill and role playing veterans. There is a very real chance that the Coyotes have multiple players who ave 70+ points this season and multiple 20-30 goal scorers.

Mullett Magic

Yes, the 5,000 seat “arena” is named the Mullett Arena. Yes, it is a difficult place to play in. Between the crowd feeling like they are right on top of you, to its rowdy college atmosphere the Coyotes tend to find ways to win at home. They had a home record of 21-15-5 vs a road record of 7-25-9 last season. They took down some of the best teams in the league at home such as the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins, a team they had not beaten since 2012.

If they can find ways to win on the road as well as at home the Coyotes should be able to fly past last seasons’ 70 point campaign. The offseason signings, development of their young players and fantastic coaching from Andre Tourigny should all help this team improve.

Small Improvements, Big Results

This team will only need 4 more wins to cash out their season point total bet. The Coyotes point total has been creeping up all summer, opening at 73.5. I’ve seen it as high as 79.5 so books are starting to show the desert dogs some love. I’m taking it for 76.5 on BetUS. If this team stays healthy and we see improvements from the core players they could fighting for a playoff spot until the end of the season. Who knows, maybe rookie Cooley will even win the Calder trophy to cap off a successful season.

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