Team: 2024-25 Arizona Coyotes

Initial Creation Date: May 3, 2024

Published: May 7, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I'm not a Coyote/Utah fan, but 50mil in cap space made me think about what this team could look like next season. Also, im probably WAY off in terms of salaries and such, so feel free to correct me in the comments. This was just a first draft to see approximately what Utah could look like. Here's my thoughts from the outside looking in:

You can get Marner and PLD for dirt cheap. PLD I'm pretty sure LA will take anything for, and if he bounces back at ALL its a steal of a deal. For the Marner deal im sure Valimaki would likely need to be involved, and then maybe a first and a second? I sent over But in this one but hardcore fans could pick a different poison.

Then you look at what's left on the team. I think from the outside, this team has a ton of forwards that can be NHL ready, so i only spent money in FA to get Stamkos. I think this team needs someone like Stamkos to be a leader and help rehab PLB/Marner's mentality. He also scores goals, and there weren't a ton of centers that fit the bill. I also needed someone in the 4 mil range that could score, so Toffoli was the pick. TBH you could swap Toffoli with anyone else at this price point, as long as they can score.

Keller/Stammer/Marner would be plenty of skill and a legitimately scary first line for teams to deal with.

I have Maccelli / PLD / Toffoli as the second line. I was trying to avoid having multiple kids on the same line. If PLD goes back to normal, this should be a decent enough second line.

Crouse / Cooley / Schmaltz might honestly be better than my listed 2nd line depending on Cooley's development. Crouse adds some physicality and buys space for the other two.

Fourth line just keeps the remaining pieces leftover. I have Doan and Hayton as scratches and Guenther in the Minors, so if any of these three players are better suit for NHL fourth line, by all means move them here.

I think defense is the most important area to address. Durzi is really good, though i have no idea what you pay him. I went for a bridge deal but could be way off. I also just gave Moser enough to be able to send him down without penalty, but no idea who that guy is. Kesselring is a former Oilers guy, so i know at least he was really damn good for our minor team. I just sent most of the money at the biggest name defensemen, namely the Carolina d pair and Montour.

Keeping the goalie tandem the same is also 100% the move. I think there arent big enough upgrades in FA to warrant making deals for change.

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