Yotes Notes

Yotes Notes :

As we approach the 20 game mark of the season, we see a similar story to last season with the Arizona Coyotes.  Top end scoring, with the big 3 of Larkin, Tarasenko and Kadri has been good.  With Tarasenko upping his production early in the season.  The rest of the forward lineup has seen little success.  Despite some new faces, scoring has not come easy.  Another slow start for Janne Kuokkanen saw him get shipped out of town, for another new face in Anthony Cirelli.  Cirelli hadn't had much playing time in Colorado, but started on the 3rd line with Artturi Lehkonen and Alexander Radulov on the new AAA line.  Their first game together showed some production, as they scored a goal.  But Lehkonen and Cirelli didn't fare well on the PK, giving up 2 goals.   On defense, offense appears to be on the rise, as the 3 new members of the defense group have added some offensive flair to the team.  The 4 dmen on the PP, have contributed 11 goals so far early in the season, with newcomer Logan Stanley scoring 4 PP goals on his own.  Stanley had 17 PP goals in the minors last season, so his production isn't too big a surprise.  Justin Schultz forced his way back to the pro lineup with a 93 point minor league season last year, and despite an early injury, has contributed 8 points, 5 on the powerplay.  Newcomer JJ Moser forced his way into the lineup with a strong preseason, pushing Rasmus Ristolainen to an expensive healthy scratch.  In goal, an entirely new tandem of UFA signing Carey Price, who started his PFHL career with Arizona, and an overseas addition of Karel Vejmelka has had operated to a similar GAA early in the season. 

Roadrunning :

In Tuscon, early season success has been mostly due to a fairly oppressive offense.  Surprisingly, the offense has come almost solely at even strength.  A powerplay that led the league in the preseason, has fallen to last place early in the year.  The team still stands 2nd in the league scoring almost 5 goals per game, and amongst the top 5 teams with 25 points.  The last place PP is only equaled by the leagues worst penalty kill as well.  Perhaps these trends will lead to the team falling later in the season.  A slew of newcomers to the team, include a few rookies, and some players from last years pro team.  Rookies Mattias Maccelli and Jurak Slafkovsky have started well, leading the team in shots.  Trade acquisition Derek Forbort has led the way on defense with 19 points in his 12 games.  Recent signee Jake Virtanen has contributed 5 points in his first 2 games.  Coyotes from last season Deslauriers, Stastny and Kolesar have contributed well.  While holdovers like Kostin, McGregor and Carcone have upped their game as well.  The goalie tandem of Prosvetov and Primeau have been backed up by Branden Holtby this season, tho neither has posted particularly good numbers.