One of the best teams vs. the odds at the sportsbook this past season was the Phoenix Coyotes. Their general manager Don Maloney was named the NHL’s top general manager on Wednesday. Phoenix was not expected to do much against the sportsbook online odds but they surprised everyone and had an amazing season.
Phoenix finished with 107 points this past season which was the third-highest point total in the Western Conference. Phoenix was given very little respect so they oftentimes won as an underdog. It was a great year for a team that was expected to move out of Phoenix. Maloney did a great job and he won the GM award on Wednesday with Washington’s George McPhee and Nashville’s David Poile finishing behind him in the voting.
Phoenix set franchise records with 50 wins and 107 points under Maloney and head coach Dave Tippett. It was thought that the Coyotes would be moving to a Canadian city but the team was kept in Phoenix and they thrived on the ice. Phoenix was extremely tough on home ice and they also had a winning record on the road. The Coyotes were the third-best defensive team in the league last season. Phoenix couldn’t keep their run of success going in the playoffs though as they fell to the Detroit Red Wings in seven games.
Maloney made a great move before the season began as he hired Dave Tippett after Wayne Gretzky resigned. Getting rid of Gretzky and getting Tippett was a brilliant move as Tippett is a far better head coach than Gretzky ever was. Maloney also made some other nice moves including the ones at the trading deadline that got the team left winger Wojtek Wolski, right-winger Lee Stempniak and defenseman Mathieu Schneider. Phoenix won nine straight games after that trade.
Phoenix did a lot of things right this past season but they still need consistent fan support. They have an excellent GM and head coach and a lot of young talent. Phoenix won’t go under the radar next season as they will be expected to win. They could still have success though with the roster that Maloney has put together. Phoenix will be an interesting and perhaps a profitable team again next season in NHL odds.