Nov 21, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Arizona Coyotes left wing Anthony Duclair (10) chases a loose puck during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

William Grigsby – howlinhockey.com

Arizona Coyotes’ fans can be thankful for Duclair, Domi, and Hanzal playing the type of hockey which is defying predictors’ prognostications for this season’s success.

As we all sit down for our Thanksgiving dinner, even in this world full of scary events, we find ourselves being thankful for all we have. As hockey fans, and more specifically Arizona Coyotes fans assess where their team is thus far this season, gratitude is a word which comes to mind.

If you read all the “experts” doom and gloom about the prospects of the Arizona Coyotes’ 2015-16 season, you would have gotten pretty depressed. It just goes to show you that predictions are worth about as much as the space they are written in, and don’t always come to fruition. Such is the case thus far for the Desert Dogs’ season.

Who would have thought that Max Domi would be doing so well, and that the trade for Anthony Duclair would be making GM Don Maloney look like a genius? Get my point? The duo who has been nicknamed “Killer D’s” by Matt McConnell who does the Coyotes Fox Sports Arizona broadcasts, have been an overwhelmingly pleasant surprise to the Arizona Coyotes organization.

The loyal fans are experiencing what a successful rebuild can look like when it is designed skillfull by someone who knows what he is doing. Give GM Maloney credit where credit is due. He was the one who held back bringing Max Domi up last season, maintaining that he needed some more seasoning to hone his skills.

Turns out Maloney hit it right on the button, as Domi may just be in the lead, or close to it for winning the Calder Trophy for Rookie-of- the year honors. Some of the plays he makes is putting smiles back on the faces of Coyotes’ fans faces after such a miserable season last year.

Then, turn your attention to Antony Duclair, and the skillful trade Maloney pulled off to acquire the young, swift Duclair. He has been exceptional, and sports some pretty impressive stats along with his good friend Domi. He and Domi together reek havoc on defending players trying to stop them.

They really click together, and even though HC Tippett has them on separate lines, they do play together on the power play unit, and can enamor us with some plays which give the franchise hopes of a playoff berth even this early in the season.

Moving on to Martin Hanzal, and it becomes clear that this version of the Arizona Coyotes brings its fans tons of thankful thoughts. Hanzal has been the premier playmaker during the first quarter of the season. He leads in points and assists, even after missing a couple games due to a minor injury. All this while still mastering the defensive assignments he’s dealt trying to stop some of the league’s top forwards.

So, as you reach for another piece of pumpkin, or pecan pie to celebrate this holiday, be thankful for YOUR Arizona Coyotes.

And pass the yams, please…