Arizona Coyotes Seeking Offense

When Radim Vrbata left the Arizona Coyotes in the offseason via free agency, questions arose about how the team would score goals. Offense was already hard to come by when Vrbata was still with the Coyotes and he was one of the leading goal scorers on the team. The lack of offense has already shown itself in the young 2014-15 season. In three of their six games, the Coyotes scored only two goals or less.

The Coyotes tried to address their offensive issues in the offseason by acquiring Sam Gagner to fill the void left by Vrbata. Unfortunately, Gagner has yet to produce. He is currently a -4 on the season with no goals, no assists and no points. Gagner is still new to the team and to Dave Tippett’s system, but the Coyotes need him to produce. Production should start to increase as he gets more comfortable and acclimated to Tippett’s system. It is after all, the first time in his career of seven years that he is on a new team.

In a contract year for Mikkel Boedker, he’s started the year off on a great note. He scored five goals in their first three games, including picking up a hat trick along the way. The 2013-14 season was Boedker’s best year goal wise as he scored 19. He’s shooting the puck more than in past years. Boedker has a reputation of being “too polite” by passing the puck to let other players take the shots. “Yeah, I had a rule with him a couple years ago that if he passed it to me I’d have to slash him because he just makes so many things happen with his skating and obviously, that great shot of his.” Doan Jokingly told AZ Central. So far, his “selfishness” has paid off this year as he is on pace to top his career high 19 goals from last season.

In another effort to increase offensive production, the Coyotes recalled Justin Hodgman from the Portland Pirates on Friday. Hodgman led the Coyotes in the 2014-15 preseason with four goals, one assist, and five points. He was also tied for second in goals during the preseason in the NHL. Hodgman initially made the Coyotes starting roster coming out of preseason but was sent back to the Pirates after being a healthy scratched for two games.

Hodgman will make his NHL debut for Arizona tonight as the Coyotes take on the Florida Panthers at Gila River Arena.