2023 Central Division Preview Series: Arizona Coyotes
By Brian Sweet
Welcome to the next installment of the first annual Blackout Dallas Central Division Preview Series. In the first preview, we looked at the Chicago Blackhawks as they drafted a generational talent with the first overall selection in the NHL draft this year. Next up on our list is a trip out to the desert as we take a look at the Arizona Coyotes.
They had a wild offseason as the residents of Tempe voted not to build their new stadium in their town. While they didn’t get the nice brand-new stadium, they did pick up some solid players. Let’s take a look at what the Coyotes bring to the Central Division this season.
Arizona Coyotes Preview: Key Losses
Tempe, Arizona residents
Jakob Chychrun
Alex Galchenyuk
Arizona Coyotes Preview: Key Signings
Nick Bjugstad
Jason Zucker
Alexander Kerfoot
Sean Durzi
2023 Drafts picks
Dmitri Simashev
Daniil But
Michael Hrabal
Arizona State Students
Arizona Coyotes Preview: Assessment
You got to give credit to the Coyotes front office. They went out and got some really good veterans this offseason to blend in with their young talent. Bjugstad and Kerfoot upgrade the centers with Nick Schmaltz returning this season.
Zucker is going to help out a lot by playing on the wing this season. The biggest name they got was Sean Durzi from the Los Angeles Kings. He will upgrade their defense as well. ESPN thought the Coyotes did enough to get themselves an A for their offseason grade.
Arizona Coyotes Preview: 2023-24 Prediction 4th place
A lot of people are sleeping on the Coyotes just because they play at Arizona State right now. However, the Coyotes did enough this offseason to get themselves out of the Central Division basement.
They will still feel the loss of Chychrun on defense but it’s a good start towards a new era of Arizona Coyotes Hockey. I feel like they could become a dark horse in the wildcard race if everyone does their job and none of their big-name players get injured. It might not look like much on paper but the Coyotes might be a force in the Central Division this season.