The Game of Numbers is an exclusive THW series looking at upcoming milestones around the NHL. Each team will be looked at individually in three parts – individual player milestones, franchise player milestones, and players that rank in the top 100 in NHL history in any big statistical category.
The 2014-15 season is quite young – with most teams having only played between just over 10 games. While the season continues, players will continue to set personal marks, while moving up their franchises statistical categories. In the desert, there’s one man who’s spent his career with that franchise. From their days north of the border in Winnipeg, to the team’s new home in Glendale, Shane Doan has been a large part of the Coyotes’ organization – and has found his way to the top of their statistical lists.
Arizona Coyotes’ Individual Milestones
Doan isn’t the only player seeking individual achievements this season for the desert dogs. In fact, some of the numbers these Coyotes players have recorded over their careers – both with Arizona and other franchises – might surprise you. Either way, the Coyotes franchise will see numerous individual milestones this coming season – led by their captain, Shane Doan.
Games Played:
- 1,400 games played – Shane Doan (1,394)
- 500 games played – Martin Hanzal (493)
- 400 games played – Mike Smith (387), Mikkel Boedker (383)
- 100 games played – Dylan Reese (78), Tobias Rieder (72), Craig Cunningham (53)
Goals:
- 400 goals – Shane Doan (368)
- 200 goals – Antoine Vermette (194)
- 100 goals – Martin Hanzal (88), Mikkel Boedker (67), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (55)
Assists:
- 200 assists – Martin Hanzal (158)
- 100 assists – Oliver Ekman-Larsson (99), Kyle Chipchura (65)
Points:
- 900 points – Shane Doan (898)
- 200 points – Mikkel Boedker (174), Zbynek Michalek (171), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (154)
- 100 points – Kyle Chipchura (92), Michael Stone (51)
Wins:
- 200 wins – Mike Smith (161)
Arizona Coyotes’ Franchise Milestones
The Coyotes are a franchise much more storied than some fans realize. Sure, most recently they’ve had their financial struggles – their future in question. But the club has had one of its greatest all-time players lead the way for the better part of the last two decades.
While the team has become a sour note in the business discussion of the NHL, there are players who have worn the Coyotes emblem proudly their entire careers – with some having even worn the former Winnipeg Jets jersey from the team’s days in Canada. Regardless, here’s how the current Arizona players stack up on the franchises all-time lists.
Games Played:
- Zbynek Michalek (539) needs 6 games played to pass Derek Morris (544) for 10th on the team’s all-time list.
- Martin Hanzal (493) needs 4 games played to pass Fredrik Olausson (496) for 14th on the team’s all-time list.
- Mike Smith (225) needs 33 games played to pass Ilya Bryzgalov (257) for 3rd on the team’s all-time goalie list.
Goals:
- Shane Doan (368) needs 12 goals to pass Dale Hawerchuk (379) for 1st on the team’s all-time list.
Assists:
- Shane Doan (530) needs 21 assists to pass Dale Hawerchuk (550) for 2nd on the team’s all-time list.
Points:
- Shane Doan (898) needs 32 points to pass Dale Hawerchuk (929) for 1st on the team’s all-time list.
Powerplay Goals:
- Shane Doan (113) needs 2 powerplay goals to pass Keith Tkachuk (114) for 2nd on the team’s all-time list.
Game-Winning Goals:
- Martin Hanzal (19) needs 1 game-winning goal to pass Teppo Numminen (19) for 10th on the team’s all-time list.
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson (16) needs 1 game-winning goal to pass Laurie Boschman (16) for 12th on the team’s all-time list.
Wins:
- Mike Smith (94) needs 4 wins to pass Sean Burke (97) for 4th on the team’s all-time list.
Shutouts:
- Mike Smith (16) needs 6 shutouts to pass Nikolai Khabibulin and Ilya Bryzgalov (21) for 1st on the team’s all-time list.
‘Top 100’ Milestones
Coyotes forward Shane Doan becomes 54th NHLer to appear in 1,300 games http://t.co/qQYyDusc7e
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 14, 2014
As the leader of the ‘Yotes, Shane Doan has been a part of the organization for 19 years – spending his entire career with the club. While his goal and point production won’t define his career, Doan’s ability to forecheck and control the puck in the offensive zone is something that could be used to measure his game. He’s a tough power forward and an iron man of sorts – having rarely missed too much time over his career.
- Doan (1,394) needs 1 game played to pass Stan Mikita (1,394) for 35th on the NHL’s all-time list.
- Doan (65) needs 2 game-winning goals to pass Martin St. Louis and Alexander Mogilny (66) for 49th on the NHL’s all-time list.
Antoine Vermette was a second round pick by the Ottawa Senators in 2000 when he went 55th overall. Since then, he’s become a solid two-way player with the ability to kill penalties for any team that he suits up for.
- Vermette (21) needs 1 shorthanded goal to pass Rick Nash and Scott Young (21) for 57th on the NHL’s all-time list.
Mike Smith has played for three teams since coming into the league in 2006 – the Stars, Lightning, and finally the Coyotes. During that time, Smith has found his way into the starting role and now resides between the pipes on a full-time basis for Arizona. Over his career, he’s found a way to climb the NHL’s overall list for shutouts.
- Smith (27) needs 1 shutout to pass Roman Turek, James Henry, Daniel Bouchard, and Mike Vernon (27) for 69th on the NHL’s all-time list.
More from the ‘Game of Numbers’ series:
Eastern Conference: BOS | BUF | CAR | CLB | DET | FLA | MTL | NJD | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | TBL | TOR | WSH
Western Conference: ANA | ARZ | CAL | CHI | COL | DAL | EDM | LAK | MIN | NSH | SJS | STL | VAN | WPG
NOTE: The ‘Game of Numbers’ series is subject to updates as the 2014-15 season progresses. Individual marks will only appear if the player is within 50 of the specific statistical milestone, while franchise marks only recognize the top 20 in club history.
For more, follow Andrew on Twitter at @AndrewGForbes or his THW column at @Tape2TapeTHW.
