{"id":4298,"date":"2016-12-18T18:36:22","date_gmt":"2016-12-18T23:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=4298"},"modified":"2016-12-18T18:52:37","modified_gmt":"2016-12-18T23:52:37","slug":"four-steps-arizona-coyotes-contenders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/12\/18\/four-steps-arizona-coyotes-contenders\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Steps to Turn the Arizona Coyotes Into Contenders"},"content":{"rendered":"

While no one was guaranteeing a post-season berth for the Arizona Coyotes<\/a> there was a lot of optimism heading into this season. Yes, the Coyotes struggled down the stretch last season but the experience they gained combined with the young talent on the roster, 2016-17 was supposed to be a step forward for the organization.\u00a0Instead nothing changed, but there is still time to turn the Arizona Coyotes into contenders.<\/p>\n

Four Steps to Turn the Arizona Coyotes Into Contenders<\/h2>\n

Get some goaltenders<\/h3>\n

First and foremost this upcoming off-season Coyotes general manager John Chayka needs to start adding goaltenders to his organization for next year and beyond. The soon to be 35-year old Mike Smith<\/strong><\/a> is not the answer for Arizona both in the short and long term. Also, Arizona does not have a goalie prospect in the organization that is currently under consideration as the long-term fix.<\/p>\n

There will be a number of unrestricted free agent goaltenders that could fit the bill for Arizona over the next two-three years. Even with\u00a0a lot of dollars coming off the cap, it’s hard to imagine the Coyotes are a legitimate contender for Ben Bishop<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Brian Elliott<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0Thomas Greiss<\/strong><\/a>, and Jonathan Bernier<\/strong><\/a> could be viable options.<\/p>\n

At 2017 NHL Draft<\/a>, Mr. Chayka needs to add some promising goaltenders to the organization. Trading for one or two goalie prospects at the trade deadline would be a wise move as well.<\/p>\n

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The Arizona #Coyotes<\/a> recalled goalie Justin Peters on an emergency basis against the Edmonton Oilers https:\/\/t.co\/AuTVoLAxGY<\/a><\/p>\n

— azcentral sports (@azcsports) November 25, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n