The 2022-23 Arizona Coyotes have had a lot of ups and downs recently. Whether it’s the new proposed Tempe arena or the 2023 NHL Draft, the Coyotes have been busy. Now that the season has been concluded for quite some time, there is much to look back on. Not only that, but several Coyotes players surprised us, whether that was for the better or not. Some players like Clayton Keller exceeded our expectations with a record year. Others like Juuso Valimaki surprised us with an underappreciated season. It is time to look at a full list of 2022-23 Arizona Coyotes awards.
2022-23 Arizona Coyotes Awards
Most Valuable Player: Clayton Keller
This one seems obvious, but Clayton Keller is the clear MVP of this Coyotes’ squad. Keller had a stellar year returning from one of the most gruesome injuries you’ll see and bouncing back with 37 goals and 49 assists. He also tied Keith Tkachuk for the most points in franchise history with 86. The former 7th overall draft pick showed off his dynamic goal-scoring ability and flourished with Barrett Hayton and Nick Schmaltz. Not only does he show up on the score sheet, but he also has an underrated two-way game, as well as providing leadership skills in the Coyotes locker room.
As mentioned above, Keller was hurt for the back end of the 2021-2022 season, breaking his right femur. Considering the year he had, you could probably put his name in for comeback player of the year. He spoke to Craig Morgan, saying the following “I think for a lot of players, hockey is most of our lives and when it’s taken away from you, you kind of put things in perspective and realize just how special and lucky we are to play this game and play it at a high level. My dad [Bryan] always told me, ‘Play every shift like it’s your last’ and that stuck with me. I think realizing that it can be taken from you at any second is kind of what helped me push through it and maybe focus on my game even more.”
The Coyotes have not had a captain since Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Keller is undoubtedly making his case to be named the next.
Rookie of the Year: Matias Maccelli
The former fourth-round pick, specifically the 98th pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. What a steal this is looking to be. Matias Maccelli notched while he notched 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points. This places him second in rookie points only behind Seattle Kraken stud Matty Beniers. That’s not the whole story either; while looking at the group he is around, all these players are first-round, second-round draft picks. Maccelli was drafted in the fourth round; to be in this conversation with the likes of Beniers and Owen Power is remarkable.
Head coach Andre Tourigny joked saying “I always joke to him, I say, ‘You can pass the puck to their goalie,’” Tourigny said. “I don’t say, ‘Shoot the puck.’ I say, ‘Pass the puck in the mesh.’” Maccelli was known for his elite playmaking ability, mostly doing so while passing the puck. With this year proving Maccelli can handle being a full-time NHLer, next year should show the same.
Most Improved: Barrett Hayton
Many Coyotes players improved their game this year. Some would like to point out Lawson Crouses’ 20-goal year. But Barrett Hayton has earned the most improved. The former top-five draft pick, he hasn’t entirely lived up to the hype. With the “Bust” label approaching Hayton, he has silenced the haters proving he can be a top-six forward.
This year, Hayton put up 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points. Comparing this to his 2021-22 campaign, where he put up 24 points in 60 games, he took a big step in the correct direction. This is primarily due to his success with his linemates. Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, along with Hayton, took a huge step forward, becoming one of the best lines in all of hockey. The three players combined for 187 points.
What This Means For the Arizona Coyotes Going Forward
The Coyotes have a very bright future, with some pieces in place like Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Lawson Crouse and Matias Maccelli. This team has youth, leadership, and a great coaching staff. They also have plenty of draft stock/prospects. A big name is former 3rd overall draft pick, Logan Cooley. He has shown he can be great; hopefully, the next step is translating that skill to the NHL.
With the team taking a big leap, this should only continue as the rebuild rolls on.
Main Photo: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
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