With the status of captain Shane Doan an unknown for next season, or beyond, and the team's management letting him know he has free rein to decide his own fate, there is some uncertainty as to the fate of three other unrestricted free agents this summer.
Mikkel Boedker:
He signed a one-year, $3.75 million contract to play this season, and that was almost against his, or his agent's better wishes. He seemed to be rightfully discouraged and disillusioned about where the team may be playing.
So what is he worth?
And, that wasn't his only concern. He seems to think he has paid his dues, and even though he was out most of last season with surgery to address an issue with his spleen, he wants to be paid what he feels he is worth. That seems to be in the $5 million a year range, and he knows he could get that somewhere. Plus, he wants a multi-year deal, which GM Don Maloney may not necessarily want to do... or will he?
His play thus far this season should justify that thought process. His 12 goals, 21 assists in 46 games shows he's ready to earn the big bucks. That comes in at 0.72 points a game, or for the season about 59 points. The high scorer for the Coyotes last season was Oliver Ekman-Larsson with just 43 points.
The two sides were allowed to start discussing contract negotiations this month, but so far nothing has happened.
Does he walk, or does the team give him the money?
Do the Arizona Coyotes let him walk (or skate, or whatever) away? Not likely. If they cannot work out a contract agreeable to both parties, then you know that he will be traded. It would be a huge loss, due to the speed he possesses in conjunction to the other greyhounds the team now suits up for each game. Boedker has also taken on the huge responsibility of trying to replace Keith Yandle at the point on the power play. No easy task, but he is improving every game.
This writer thinks his play justifies the hefty increase he desires. The length of the contract may not bring a smile to the face of GM Maloney, but hey, you sign your core players. You keep them to improve your team's success. Sometimes Maloney is so cheap, he squeaks. Come on Don, you have over $11 million under the salary cap to spend, if your boss lets you.
Boyd Gordon:
Here is a player who doesn't show up much on the scoring sheet with just two assists in 42 games, but a guy who goes out there and blocks shots (30), wins face-offs (57.5 percent), and kills penalties with the best of them.
He has helped this team get their self confidence and respect back they suffered through last season. Gordon is a gritty competitor who shows up with his lunch bucket, ready to go to work.
At $3 million he might be a bit overpaid, but his worth is justified by his level of heady play, and he defines the "pack" mentality which Head Coach Dave Tippett preaches.
Does he stay, or does he go?
With the recent scoring drought the team has experienced, it's simple to say let him go for a better scorer. But, that is really not his forte. He is an excellent fourth liner, and has worked well with Kyle Chipchura and Viktor Tikhonov. He may be worth signing for another one-year deal even at age 32.
Nicklas Grossmann:
Since being acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers in a draft day trade last June, Nicklas Grossmann has been a solid contribution to the blue-line. While only accumulating seven points thus far, his 75 hits and 55 blocks in 39 games tells you he is involved and worth keeping on the team. At 6'4", 230 his size doesn't hurt either.
One area the team needs to improve upon from the disastrous last season was their defense. Enter BIG Nick. He intimidates his opponent, and make them pay if they try to reside in his goaltender's crease.
Grossmann needs to be re-signed
It's foregone conclusion that the Arizona Coyotes need to re-sign Grossmann to a multi-year (sorry Don) contract to keep him playing the way they need their defenseman to play and succeed.
With the youth movement in full swing, someone like Grossmann keeps the young studs like Connor Murphy and Klas Dahlbeck learning how to protect their defensive zone, and move the puck out whenever possible.
A three year, $12 million contract seems in order, but of course that would need to meet GM Don Maloney's approval.
Conclusion:
Shane Doan is allowed to do what he wants, and he may just sign another one year before being motivated to stay on with the team somewhere in the front office. How about Assistant GM? That spot has not been filled since Sean Burke had it. In any case, Doan is a Coyote legend and his #19 will be floating from the rafters of Gila River arena before too long.
In review, all three unrestricted free agents should be retained. The "who may get away" would be Boedker, so Maloney needs to put it in high gear to keep the Great Dane in Sedona Red for a few more years.
Come on Maloney... it's only money!