While the NHL is shut down for the foreseeable future, it allows the Arizona Coyotes organization and its fans to reflect on the 2019-20 season. By virtue of the acquisitions of Phil Kessel and Carl Soderberg early on, everyone was cautiously optimistic that the ‘Yotes could possibly make the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
The trade for Taylor Hall in December was the marquee acquisition, however, and really gave momentum to the idea that this season was not just a carbon copy of past campaigns. Excitement seemed palpable and talk of the postseason wasn’t scoffed at or quickly dismissed by others.