Blogger's Breakouts 2011 - Phoenix Coyotes

You ready for some more fantasy hockey talk?  Today our resident expert is Jordan Ellel from Five for Howling.  Jordan was kind enough to answer seven fantasy related questions regarding the Coyotes.  I'm a big believer of Brett MacLean so I'm pumped Jordan also likes his chances.  Check out his answers below.

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If you're interested in FHS' breakout picks and fantasy take on the Coyotes check out our draft kit which includes The Breakout Bible, the Fantasy Scouting Report (with SuperStats included) and our Fantasy Prospect Database.

BY JORDAN ELLEL FROM FIVE FOR HOWLING

Q1) Phoenix Coyotes Breakout of the Year?
Kyle Turris and Mikkel Boedker - it's been expected that the two first round picks would eventually be able to provide some offensive spark and they showed over the second half of last season that when given significant playing time, they can put up the points. I've seen a lot of negative print on both players and that this is the last year to live up to the potential, but given each player's type of game, I am not surprised that they haven't had great success yet. I do believe that they will figure it out, though, and that they should produce a decent number of points each.

Q2) Darkhorse Breakout on the Coyotes?
Not sure that it would be a real darkhorse because everyone has said he'd be a good player, but I expect big things from Oliver Ekman-Larsson this season. I think OEL will follow the Keith Yandle career trajectory and show a marked improvement from his limited playing time of a season ago. In terms of a real guy on nobody's radar, watch out for Brett MacLean to make the team and put up a lot of goals. The coaching staff has been waiting for his skating to improve, but in his limited call-ups, he's shown a decided knack for driving to the net and putting pucks on goal. Given a full season, he may just score 20.

Q3) League-Wide Breakout of the Year?
Given the dramatic roster shifts in Philadelphia, there is plenty of room for James van Riemsdyk to build on what he did last year and really come to the fore. I think the kids in Edmonton, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, will both build on solid rookie campaigns and be strong players for the Oilers.

Q4) Player likely to Breakdown on the Coyotes?
A little scared to say it in case I jinx him, but Ray Whitney had a fairly healthy year last year for a 38 year old and I'm a bit worried that the dings and dents will wear on him a bit more this season. Considering how much the power play improves when he is on the ice, this could be trouble for the 'Yotes.

Q5) Best Fantasy Prospect on the Coyotes?
Prospect as in a kid: Kyle Turris or Mikkel Boedker. Prospect as in a guy to draft: Keith Yandle - keeps getting better each season and hopefully will not slow down this second half quite as much as last year. Could challenge for the league lead in defensive scoring.

Q6) How do you see the Coyotes Goalie Situation playing out this year?
Mike Smith comes to camp as the starter and barring an injury, I don't see Jason LaBarbera or Curtis McIlhinney changing that. I'd expect Smith to start between 50 and 60 games and show stats slightly better than his career averages considering the defensive system that Dave Tippett employs. It will also be interesting to see whether working with goalie coach Sean Burke makes as big a difference for Smith as it seems to have for LaBarbera and Ilya Bryzgalov. People forget that before Burke came to Arizona, Bryz wasn't nearly the almost Vezina winning goalie he was after.

Q7) Coming off a 26 point season, is Hanzal really your #1C? Like, really? (Editor note: We asked this before the trade for Langkow)
Even before the trade for Daymond Langkow, there was no reason I would call Hanzal a #1 center, even if his line was getting the most minutes. Martin Hanzal is, and always will be, a top notch shutdown center. The guy that you run out against the Joe Thornton's of the world. The fact that he's added a bit of scoring punch to his season (which was slightly injury shortened) only adds to his value. But the number one duties from a scoring line perspective should be falling on Turris and Langkow.

Thanks to Jordan for the help.  Some great advice in there.  If you have any other fantasy questions related to the Coyotes hit the comments and hopefully we can get Jordan to pop back in and answer them.