There’s an increasingly pronounced paradox in Phoenix with respect to the franchise’s off-ice direction and it’s on-ice product.
While more and more reports indicating the Coyotes are bleeding bucks surface, the young team has bound together and have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Captain Shane Doan is having a terrific year, while an assortment of high draft picks are gaining valuable experience and making noticeable contributions.
A key factor down the home stretch will be the play of Olli Jokinen. The big center missed six games with an upper-body injury earlier this season and hasn’t produced to his point-per-game potential while in the lineup.
A spike in his output and improved results on the power play would go a long way in helping Phoenix nail down a post-season berth.
The Hockey News ranks the teams 1-30 each Monday based on a combination of last week’s play and a squad’s overall outlook.
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