I don’t really understand the Coyle hate outside the fact that people can’t realize he’s simply playing a larger role that he should be. He isn’t a top 2 center, and that’s okay as long as you (and more importantly Sweeney) acknowledge it. Sure he can and did play well this regular season. Not like in years previous though…2019 playoffs he was an absolute dawg on the third line and you could see it working when he had two bonafide healthy center options above him and MarcJo to play pinball with. This year going into playoffs, you’d assume he would have a ppg decline as he is outmatched and tasked with a defense first mindset ( Zacha no different), which he did. This hampers his wingers from playing their best offensive game and you end up with tight, low scoring games until you get bounced out of the cup chase.
I’d argue any center candidate we are discussing right now (Lindholm, Stephenson, Reinhart and Necas even though the last two are better on wing) would have scored more than Coyle or Zacha on the top two lines this year. Maybe not by big numbers, but the speed and feel of the team would’ve been much better. I think D would’ve been more active, as the puck would be up ice more. I’d also argue that Coyle and Zacha would’ve had a few more fans going into this summer as well, as they played in roles that better suited them. The point totals in regular season should show you that they were more than capable to fill in, while the playoff point totals show you that you still needed some more offensive flash up top. The 5.25 salary doesn’t bother me at all, he is a puck possession monster, chips in offensively, and helps keep the bottom 6 deep and strong on its feet and can jump into any situation, like Heinen.
But now with Heinen signing rumors, we have more possibilities…
For what it’s worth, I don’t think you can have Frederic, Heinen, Coyle, Geekie, Brazzers all in cycling in middle 6 territory looking up to an aging Marchand, streaky Debrusk, and quiet Zacha. It’s just a few too many “just another guy” feels in that area of the roster. That spells Pasta getting shut down all day. We assume now Jake is gone which it is what it is. Bringing in 2/3 threats up top allow your Coyle third line to start humming again, which will have opposing players looking over their shoulders in the corners a bit more like they used to.
Wouldn’t hesitate to move Frederic or Geekie (though I do like them) in a package with Ullmark or separately for top 6 help or picks/prospects for Prov. Maybe both even (one now and one at deadline) because you could have a Heinen-Poitras-Coyle line if Poitras isn’t your 2c and their contracts will be up next summer. And heck, all my defending Coyle could be an argument for making him a valuable trade chip him instead of Geekie/Frederic to get an even better return with Ullmark and letting Geekie be your 3c and use the money elsewhere