2005–06 Phoenix Coyotes season

The 2005–06 Phoenix Coyotes season, was the franchise's 34th season overall, 27th season in the National Hockey League and tenth season in Phoenix. Retired player Wayne Gretzky was named coach.

2005–06 Phoenix Coyotes
Division	5th Pacific
Conference	12th Western
2005–06 record	38–39–5
Goals for	246
Goals against	271
Team information
General manager	Mike Barnett
Coach	Wayne Gretzky
Captain	Shane Doan
Alternate captains	Mike Ricci Unknown
Arena	Jobing.com Arena
Team leaders
Goals	Mike Comrie and Shane Doan (30)
Assists	Shane Doan (36)
Points	Shane Doan (66)
Penalty minutes	Shane Doan (123)
Wins	Curtis Joseph (32)
Goals against average	Curtis Joseph (2.91)

Key dates prior to the start of the season:

• The 2005 NHL Entry Draft took place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on July 30, 2005.
• The free agency period began on July 1.

Offseason

• On 6 August 2005, Brett Hull, son of former Jet Bobby Hull, was signed and assigned the elder Hull's retired # 9.
• August 8, 2005 – Two days later, the Coyotes introduced Gretzky as its new head coach, replacing Rick Bowness, despite the fact that he had never coached at any level of hockey. The Coyotes Ring of Honor was unveiled on 8 October, inducting Gretzky and Bobby Hull. One week later, Brett Hull announced his retirement. On 21 January 2006, Jets great Thomas Steen was the third inductee to the Ring of Honor. On 13 April, Steve Ellman announced an agreement for Jerry Moyes to assume majority ownership control of the Coyotes, Glendale Arena and the National Lacrosse League's Arizona Sting.

NHL Draft

Phoenix's draft picks at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft held at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario.

Round	#	Player	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team
1	17	Martin Hanzal (C)	Czech Republic	Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic)
2	59	Pier-Olivier Pelletier (G)	Canada	Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
4	105	Keith Yandle (D)	United States	Cushing Academy (USHS-MA)
5	148	Anton Krysanov (C)	Russia	Lada Togliatti (Russia)
7	212	Pat Brosnihan (RW)	United States	Worcester Academy (USHS-MA)

Wayne Gretzky

Despite previous denials that Wayne Gretzky would not assume coaching duties, on August 8, 2005 Gretzky agreed to become the new coach of the Coyotes.

In the time leading up to Gretzky's announcement, several prominent free agents signed with Phoenix citing the chance to play for Gretzky, including Brett Hull. Hull, who was briefly Gretzky's right winger, only lasted five games and only scored one assist before retiring. Ironically, "The Golden Brett" would have had the record for the most goals over any given three seasons — he scored 228 goals between 1989–90 and 1991–92 — if it weren't for The Great One. From 1981–82 to 1983–84, Gretzky scored 254 goals.

Gretzky made his coaching debut on October 5, 2005, the opening night of the 2005–06 NHL season, losing 3–2 to the Vancouver Canucks. His first coaching victory was October 8, 2005, beating the Minnesota Wild 2–1. Gretzky took an indefinite leave of absence as coach on December 17, 2005 to care for his ill mother in Brantford, Ontario. His mother lost her battle to lung cancer two days later, dying on December 19, 2005. Assistant coach Rick Tocchet assumed the position until Gretzky's return on December 28. Coyotes' CEO Jeff Shumway announced on June 5, 2006 that Gretzky has agreed to a new five-year contract to remain as head coach.

Regular season

Also in the 2005–06 season, the Coyotes were planning to host the NHL all-star game. Due to the XX Winter Olympic Games, the game was canceled.

The Coyotes tied the Los Angeles Kings for most power-play opportunities, with 541.[1]

Final standings

Pacific Division

No.	CR		GP	W	L	OTL	GF	GA	Pts
1	2	Dallas Stars	82	53	23	6	265	218	112
2	5	San Jose Sharks	82	44	27	11	266	242	99
3	6	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	82	43	27	12	254	229	98
4	10	Los Angeles Kings	82	42	35	5	249	270	89
5	12	Phoenix Coyotes	82	38	39	5	246	271	81

[2]

Western Conference[3]

R		Div	GP	W	L	OTL	GF	GA	Pts
1	P- Detroit Red Wings	CE	82	58	16	8	305	209	124
2	Y- Dallas Stars	PA	82	53	23	6	265	218	112
3	Y- Calgary Flames	NW	82	46	25	11	218	200	103
4	X- Nashville Predators	CE	82	49	25	8	259	227	106
5	X- San Jose Sharks	PA	82	44	27	11	266	242	99
6	X- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	PA	82	43	27	12	254	229	98
7	X- Colorado Avalanche	NW	82	43	30	9	283	257	95
8	X- Edmonton Oilers	NW	82	41	28	13	256	251	95
8.5
9	Vancouver Canucks	NW	82	42	32	8	256	255	92
8	Los Angeles Kings	PA	82	42	35	5	249	270	89
11	Minnesota Wild	NW	82	38	36	8	231	215	84
12	Phoenix Coyotes	PA	82	38	39	5	246	271	81
13	Columbus Blue Jackets	CE	82	35	43	4	223	279	74
14	Chicago Blackhawks	CE	82	26	43	13	211	285	65
15	St. Louis Blues	CE	82	21	46	15	197	292	57

Divisions: CE – Central, PA – Pacific, NW – Northwest

P – Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y – Clinched Division; X – Clinched Playoff spot

Schedule and results

No.	R	Date	Score	Opponent	Record
1	L	October 5, 2005	2–3	@ Vancouver Canucks (2005–06)	0–1–0
2	L	October 6, 2005	2–3	@ Los Angeles Kings (2005–06)	0–2–0
3	W	October 8, 2005	2–1	Minnesota Wild (2005–06)	1–2–0
4	L	October 11, 2005	2–3	@ Dallas Stars (2005–06)	1–3–0
5	L	October 13, 2005	4–5 SO	Nashville Predators (2005–06)	1–3–1
6	L	October 15, 2005	0–2	Detroit Red Wings (2005–06)	1–4–1
7	W	October 17, 2005	2–0	@ Calgary Flames (2005–06)	2–4–1
8	W	October 18, 2005	4–3 OT	@ Edmonton Oilers (2005–06)	3–4–1
9	L	October 20, 2005	2–3	@ Vancouver Canucks (2005–06)	3–5–1
10	L	October 23, 2005	3–5	@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2005–06)	3–6–1
11	W	October 25, 2005	5–4 OT	St. Louis Blues (2005–06)	4–6–1
12	W	October 27, 2005	3–2	Calgary Flames (2005–06)	5–6–1
13	L	October 29, 2005	3–5	Dallas Stars (2005–06)	5–7–1
14	L	October 30, 2005	2–3	@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2005–06)	5–8–1
15	W	November 3, 2005	4–0	Los Angeles Kings (2005–06)	6–8–1
16	W	November 5, 2005	4–1	@ Detroit Red Wings (2005–06)	7–8–1
17	L	November 6, 2005	1–2 OT	@ Chicago Blackhawks (2005–06)	7–8–2
18	W	November 8, 2005	4–2	@ Minnesota Wild (2005–06)	8–8–2
19	L	November 10, 2005	3–4	Calgary Flames (2005–06)	8–9–2
20	W	November 12, 2005	2–1 OT	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2005–06)	9–9–2
21	L	November 16, 2005	1–3	Colorado Avalanche (2005–06)	9–10–2
22	W	November 19, 2005	4–3 SO	@ San Jose Sharks (2005–06)	10–10–2
23	W	November 20, 2005	5–1	Columbus Blue Jackets (2005–06)	11–10–2
24	L	November 22, 2005	1–2	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2005–06)	11–11–2
25	W	November 25, 2005	4–1	@ Dallas Stars (2005–06)	12–11–2
26	W	November 26, 2005	2–1	Vancouver Canucks (2005–06)	13–11–2
27	L	November 30, 2005	1–6	@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2005–06)	13–12–2
28	W	December 3, 2005	8–4	Carolina Hurricanes (2005–06)	14–12–2
29	W	December 5, 2005	5–2	Atlanta Thrashers (2005–06)	15–12–2
30	W	December 11, 2005	2–1 OT	@ Boston Bruins (2005–06)	16–12–2
31	L	December 13, 2005	2–5	@ Montreal Canadiens (2005–06)	16–13–2
32	L	December 15, 2005	1–3	Tampa Bay Lightning (2005–06)	16–14–2
33	L	December 17, 2005	1–4	@ Los Angeles Kings (2005–06)	16–15–2
34	L	December 20, 2005	4–5	St. Louis Blues (2005–06)	16–16–2
35	W	December 22, 2005	2–1	San Jose Sharks (2005–06)	17–16–2
36	W	December 23, 2005	3–2	@ Dallas Stars (2005–06)	18–16–2
37	L	December 26, 2005	4–7	@ Colorado Avalanche (2005–06)	18–17–2
38	W	December 28, 2005	5–4	@ San Jose Sharks (2005–06)	19–17–2
39	W	December 29, 2005	6–5 OT	Los Angeles Kings (2005–06)	20–17–2
40	L	December 31, 2005	2–5	Colorado Avalanche (2005–06)	20–18–2
41	L	January 5, 2006	0–4	@ Los Angeles Kings (2005–06)	20–19–2
42	L	January 8, 2006	2–5	Columbus Blue Jackets (2005–06)	20–20–2
43	L	January 10, 2006	2–7	@ Ottawa Senators (2005–06)	20–21–2
44	W	January 12, 2006	2–1 SO	@ Buffalo Sabres (2005–06)	21–21–2
45	W	January 14, 2006	4–3	@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2005–06)	22–21–2
46	L	January 16, 2006	1–6	Washington Capitals (2005–06)	22–22–2
47	W	January 19, 2006	6–3	Florida Panthers (2005–06)	23–22–2
48	W	January 21, 2006	4–3 SO	Edmonton Oilers (2005–06)	24–22–2
49	L	January 23, 2006	1–4	@ Dallas Stars (2005–06)	24–23–2
50	L	January 24, 2006	2–3	@ Minnesota Wild (2005–06)	24–24–2
51	W	January 26, 2006	5–3	@ St. Louis Blues (2005–06)	25–24–2
52	W	January 28, 2006	6–2	San Jose Sharks (2005–06)	26–24–2
53	L	January 29, 2006	3–4 SO	Edmonton Oilers (2005–06)	26–24–3
54	L	January 31, 2006	4–7	Vancouver Canucks (2005–06)	26–25–3
55	W	February 2, 2006	2–1 SO	Los Angeles Kings (2005–06)	27–25–3
56	L	February 4, 2006	4–6	Minnesota Wild (2005–06)	27–26–3
57	L	February 7, 2006	1–3	Chicago Blackhawks (2005–06)	27–27–3
58	L	February 9, 2006	1–5	Dallas Stars (2005–06)	27–28–3
59	L	February 12, 2006	4–5 OT	San Jose Sharks (2005–06)	27–28–4
60	W	March 2, 2006	6–2	Dallas Stars (2005–06)	28–28–4
61	L	March 4, 2006	3–7	Detroit Red Wings (2005–06)	28–29–4
62	W	March 7, 2006	5–2	@ Detroit Red Wings (2005–06)	29–29–4
63	L	March 9, 2006	4–5	@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2005–06)	29–30–4
64	L	March 11, 2006	3–5	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2005–06)	29–31–4
65	L	March 12, 2006	2–5	@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2005–06)	29–32–4
66	W	March 14, 2006	6–2	@ Los Angeles Kings (2005–06)	30–32–4
67	L	March 16, 2006	0–2	@ Nashville Predators (2005–06)	30–33–4
68	W	March 19, 2006	3–2	@ Chicago Blackhawks (2005–06)	31–33–4
69	W	March 21, 2006	5–2	@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2005–06)	32–33–4
70	W	March 23, 2006	4–3	Chicago Blackhawks (2005–06)	33–33–4
71	L	March 25, 2006	2–5	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2005–06)	33–34–4
72	W	March 28, 2006	5–3	Nashville Predators (2005–06)	34–34–4
73	W	March 30, 2006	5–2	@ San Jose Sharks (2005–06)	35–34–4
74	W	April 1, 2006	4–3 OT	@ San Jose Sharks (2005–06)	36–34–4
75	L	April 3, 2006	1–7	@ Edmonton Oilers (2005–06)	36–35–4
76	L	April 5, 2006	2–5	@ Calgary Flames (2005–06)	36–36–4
77	L	April 8, 2006	2–3 SO	Dallas Stars (2005–06)	36–36–5
78	L	April 10, 2006	2–3	San Jose Sharks (2005–06)	36–37–5
79	L	April 11, 2006	4–6	@ Colorado Avalanche (2005–06)	36–38–5
80	W	April 13, 2006	3–0	Los Angeles Kings (2005–06)	37–38–5
81	L	April 15, 2006	1–5	@ Nashville Predators (2005–06)	37–39–5
82	W	April 16, 2006	3–0	@ St. Louis Blues (2005–06)	38–39–5

• Green background indicates win.
• Red background indicates regulation loss.
• White background indicates overtime/shootout loss.

Playoffs

The Coyotes missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

Torino Olympics

• Wayne Gretzky was the General Manager of the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team for the XX Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. Coyotes captain Shane Doan was selected for the Canadian team.

Player statistics

Regular season

Scoring

Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	PPG	SHG	GWG
Shane Doan	RW	82	30	36	66	123	-9	17	0	7
Mike Comrie	C	80	30	30	60	55	2	10	0	4
Ladislav Nagy	LW	51	15	41	56	74	8	7	1	4
Mike Johnson	RW	80	16	38	54	50	7	6	1	3
Paul Mara	D	78	15	32	47	70	-12	8	0	0
Geoff Sanderson	LW	75	25	21	46	58	-14	11	1	1
Keith Ballard	D	82	8	31	39	99	-18	1	3	1
Derek Morris	D	53	6	21	27	54	-7	4	1	2
Oleg Saprykin	LW	67	11	14	25	50	-16	3	0	1
Zbynek Michalek	D	82	9	15	24	62	4	5	0	2
Steve Reinprecht	C	28	12	11	23	8	1	4	1	2
Dave Scatchard	C	47	11	12	23	84	-11	4	0	3
Fredrik Sjostrom	RW	75	6	17	23	42	1	1	0	1
Boyd Devereaux	C	78	8	14	22	44	-13	1	0	1
Mike Leclerc	LW	35	9	12	21	29	0	4	0	0
Jamie Lundmark	C	38	5	13	18	36	-1	1	0	0
Mike Ricci	C	78	10	6	16	69	-22	5	1	1
Oleg Kvasha	LW/C	15	4	7	11	6	5	0	0	0
Denis Gauthier	D	45	2	9	11	61	-4	0	0	0
Petr Nedved	C	25	2	9	11	34	-6	1	0	1
Dennis Seidenberg	D	34	1	10	11	14	-9	1	0	0
Sean O'Donnell	D	57	1	7	8	121	3	0	0	0
Tyson Nash	LW	50	0	6	6	84	-7	0	0	0
Jamie Rivers	D	18	0	5	5	26	2	0	0	0
David Tanabe	D	21	0	4	4	8	-5	0	0	0
Krys Kolanos	C	9	2	1	3	2	2	1	0	0
Bill Thomas	RW	9	1	2	3	8	-2	1	0	0
Joel Perrault	C	5	1	1	2	2	0	0	0	0
Matt Jones	D	16	0	2	2	14	-2	0	0	0
Josh Gratton	LW	11	1	0	1	30	-3	0	0	0
Yanick Lehoux	C	3	1	0	1	2	1	0	0	0
Steve Gainey	LW	20	0	1	1	20	-3	0	0	0
Brett Hull	RW	5	0	1	1	0	-3	0	0	0
Curtis Joseph	G	60	0	1	1	18	0	0	0	0
Matthew Spiller	D	8	0	1	1	13	-1	0	0	0
Brian Boucher	G	11	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0
Pavel Brendl	RW	2	0	0	0	0	-3	0	0	0
Tim Jackman	RW	8	0	0	0	21	1	0	0	0
David LeNeveu	G	15	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Pascal Rheaume	C	1	0	0	0	0	-1	0	0	0
Michael Rupp	C	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Philippe Sauve	G	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jeff Taffe	C	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Goaltending

Player	MIN	GP	W	L	T/OT	GA	GAA	SO	SA	SV	SV%
Curtis Joseph	3424	60	32	21	3	166	2.91	4	1690	1524	.902
Brian Boucher	512	11	3	6	0	33	3.87	0	268	235	.877
David LeNeveu	814	15	3	8	2	44	3.24	0	386	342	.886
Philippe Sauve	187	5	0	4	0	17	5.45	0	128	111	.867
Team:	4937	82	38	39	5	260	3.16	4	2472	2212	.895

[4]

Note:

Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals

Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Transactions

The Coyotes were involved in the following transactions during the 2005–06 season.

Trades

Free agents Acquired/Lost

Player Former team Boyd Devereaux Detroit Red Wings Brett Hull Detroit Red Wings Curtis Joseph Detroit Red Wings Steven Reinprecht Calgary Flames Mike Ricci San Jose Sharks Oleg Saprykin Calgary Flames Geoff Sanderson Vancouver Canucks Dave Scatchard New York Islanders

Player New team

Roster

2005-06 Phoenix Coyotes
Goaltenders 30 – David LeNeveu  31 – Curtis Joseph  33 – Brian Boucher  35 – Philippe Sauve		Defensemen 2 – Keith Ballard  3 – Denis Gauthier  4 – Zbynek Michalek  5 – Jamie Rivers  5 – David Tanabe  6 – Matthew Spiller  21 – Sean O'Donnell  22 – Dennis Seidenberg  23 – Paul Mara  53 – Derek Morris  55 – Matt Jones		Wingers 7 – Mike Leclerc  8 – Geoff Sanderson  9 – Brett Hull  11 – Oleg Kvasha  12 – Mike Johnson  13 – Michael Rupp  14 – Steve Gainey  17 – Ladislav Nagy  18 – Tyson Nash  19 – Shane Doan  - C 20 – Fredrik Sjostrom  21 – Bill Thomas  24 – Josh Gratton  28 – Pavel Brendl  29 – Tim Jackman  91 – Oleg Saprykin		Centres 11 – Krys Kolanos  14 – Jeff Taffe  15 – Boyd Devereaux  16 – Jamie Lundmark  22 – Pascal Rheaume  26 – Joel Perrault  29 – Yanick Lehoux  29 – Steve Reinprecht  38 – Dave Scatchard  40 – Mike Ricci  89 – Mike Comrie  93 – Petr Nedved  GM: Michael Barnett Coach: Wayne Gretzky

Awards and records

Milestones

  Player is still active or individual record

Regular Season
Player	Milestone	Reached
Wayne Gretzky	1st NHL Game as Coach	October 5, 2005
Wayne Gretzky	1st NHL Win as Coach.	October 8, 2005
Derek Morris	250th NHL Point
Oleg Saprykin	100th NHL Point	March 14, 2006
Dave Scatchard	250th NHL Point

Farm teams

• San Antonio Rampage, American Hockey League[5]

References

• Coyotes on Hockey Database

1. https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2006.html
2. Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2009). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2010. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 162.
3. "2005–2006 Standings by Conference". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
4. "2005-06 Phoenix Coyotes Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com". hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
5. National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p.14, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-920445-98-5