ARIZONA COYOTES

Phoenix Coyotes GM: Would like to add a forward, but health is paramount for the team

Jan 8, 2014, 8:05 PM | Updated: 8:06 pm

LISTEN: Don Maloney, Phoenix Coyotes GM

The Phoenix Coyotes have been rather inconsistent this season, but much of their issues can probably be traced back to health.

Or, rather, a lack of.

Just seven players have appeared in all 42 of the team’s games this season, meaning coach Dave Tippett has had to mix and match his lineups nearly every night.

No team can expect to make it through an entire season healthy, but it seems as though the Coyotes have dealt with more than their share of injuries. Even still, they’ve battled their way to a 21-12-9 record, and if the playoffs started now they’d be in them, albeit barely.

So, there may be reason for optimism, provided of course the team can keep its players on the ice.

“I’m certainly hopeful,” Coyotes GM Don Maloney told Doug and Wolf Wednesday. “If you look at our team, the first 20 games when we were healthy, we certainly got off to a good start and were one of the top teams in the conference.”

The problem with his team sustaining injuries, Maloney said, is that the Coyotes are more about the sum of their parts rather than the individuals. So, when one player goes down — no matter their role — it has a very negative impact on the team.

So, you can only imagine what happens when multiple players are sidelined at the same time.

“Shane (Doan) goes down for 10 of our last 20, Zbynek Michalek is out for half, and Lauri Korpikoski,” he said. “They’re all good players. Are they superstars? Well, no, but they’re really good, important players to the group.

“So consequently, the last 20 games the results are mixed. We haven’t won as many games as we need to win.”

Maloney added that the way he sees it, a return to health will lead to a return of the team’s winning ways.

“I do have strong hopes for a good second half and certainly move up in the standings,” he said, pointing out that there are a handful of teams he thinks the team could surpass in the Western Conference.

That said, Maloney noted he wouldn’t mind adding a piece or two to the team, specifically a “top-six forward.”

“That’s what I’d like to get,” the GM said. “We’ve been looking all year for that fit for (Martin) Hanzal and (Radim) Vrbata.”

Maloney noted that Korpikoski stepped up in that role Tuesday night with one goal and two assists in a win over Calgary, but knows more depth wouldn’t hurt.

“Up front is where I really feel we could use another good NHL player,” he said. “If we got that, it just slides everybody down maybe a notch in position.”

Moving people around because of additions, not subtractions, is ideal. Because ultimately, Maloney said staying healthy could be the key to the rest of this season.

“If we stay healthy and our key players stay healthy then we’re a good team and we can play with anybody in this conference,” he said. “If we get banged up and we lose a couple key pieces, then it’s going to be tough for us.”

Arizona Coyotes

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

1 day ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

1 day ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

3 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

3 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

5 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ struggles in Dallas continue despite Clayton Keller stacking goals

The Dallas Stars extended their home points streak against the Coyotes to 19 games with a victory on Wednesday night.

7 days ago

Phoenix Coyotes GM: Would like to add a forward, but health is paramount for the team