The Arizona Coyotes recent buyout of Michael Grabner provides wiggle room for a cap that now has just shy of $4 million in space. The Coyotes have a long road ahead of them, and looking at the situation in Phoenix helps explain why John Chayka and the Coyotes parted ways. Candidly, the Arizona situation is less than pretty not great.
Related: Ekman-Larsson Trade Talks Intensify, Oilers Out
Chayka Analysis
The most obvious ‘situation’ for Arizona is the tight salary cap. Again, the Grabner buyout gives the Coyotes some room, but they still need as many as five more forwards for the 20/21 season. The team will also need to shed a big contract to field a full line-up over the next two seasons. Most teams in this situation could look forward to the draft to ‘refill the cupboards.’ Not so for the ‘Yotes.
The Arizona Coyotes draft outlook over the next two years is dire, to put it mildly. Notwithstanding trades, the Coyotes are missing a pick in each of the first three rounds in 2020. The 2021 draft outlook is not much better — Arizona will skip a first round pick and either a 2nd or (likely) 3rd. For a team needing to ‘get back on track’, the Coyotes are hamstrung by a lack of top round picks over the next two NHL drafts.
These two factors shine light on why Mr. Chayka suddenly left the Arizona franchise. The situation is less than ideal. Newly appointed Coyote hockey operations staff undoubtedly have a challenge ahead of them.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson Options
In the short-term, it seems increasingly likely that Arizona will lose captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson (OEL). The latest report on OEL is that he would approve trades to the Vancouver Canucks or Boston Bruins. Ah, the distant memories of 2011!
What is the best option for OEL? In the short-term, the Bruins are closest to being a repeat Stanley Cup contender for the next two years. With OEL, the Bruins chances rapidly rise. So too, without Torey Krug, a massive hole has opened up and an opportunity has presented itself.
Vancouver, on the other hand, fields a great line up of young talent but a realistic window to win a Stanley Cup would be a longer term play for OEL. Elliotte Friedman noted, “I do think Canucks have had a Oliver Ekman-Larsson conversation, I don’t know if its possible but I do think they talked to Arizona, it might just be a thing you call to ask and find out.” He added, “I think it has something to do with Canucks history with Swedes. He knows some of those guys. He’s really comfortable with going there.”
It becomes a matter of preference. In this unclear world, maybe Ekman-Larsson will lean toward the best short-term option. Stay tuned because the veteran OEL will likely fetch some draft picks and a roster player, or two or both, etc!
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