Pacific Division 2016: The Mid-Season Awards

Pacific Division 2016: Mid-Season Awards

Jan 30, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Pacific Division forward Joe Pavelski (8) of the San Jose Sharks talks with Pacific Division forward Johnny Gaudreau (13) of the Calgary Flames and Pacific Division defenseman Drew Doughty (8) of the Los Angeles Kings prior to the 2016 NHL All Star Game Skills Competition at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) celebrates with defenseman Connor Murphy (5) and right wing Shane Doan (19) after scoring a goal in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s amazing to me that a team can have more problems with it’s identity and where it belongs off the ice than it does on the ice. At season’s beginning, the Coyotes were expected to be in the conversation to win the Auston Matthews sweepstakes, but now here they are at the All-Star break, holding onto 3rd place in the Pacific Division.

Rookies Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, and Louis Domingue have given Coyotes fans a glimpse of their promising future.

The Coyotes probably won’t make it to the playoffs this year, but they’ve got the pieces to make noise in the next few seasons, wherever they end up.

Next: Least Surprising

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