Coyotes Rookie Preview
The 2016-17 Arizona Coyotes roster has been solidified at 23 men. The promises of, well, "no-promises" and the Coyotes 2.0 branding rolled out earlier in the preseason, giving us fans nothing, which is exactly what we needed. No more flashy slogans and hype-up videos, just results. To deliver these results of a new team with a new outlook, GM John Chayka and co. have assembled an almost all-new team of players. These names have become household in status over the last few months especially, as the sun of a new day in hockey has been slowly rising over the Valley since the new ownership group IceArizona's intervention. Some of the biggest prospect names in hockey call the Coyotes home now. Four of which are slated to be making their NHL debut Oct. 15th against the Flyers on opening night. Those players are Dylan Strome, Jakob Chychrun, Christian Dvorak and Lawson Crouse. Strome and Crouse will be joining their Canadian World Junior alumni Max Domi and Anthony Duclair as Dvorak, Chychrun are vying to establish themselves among the pack as the talented players they are. GM Chayka has assembled an almost maniacal roster of some of the best young talent in the world. Here is a prediction of how these four talents start and finish their year as Coyotes (or Roadrunners). Dylan Strome: Drafted 3rd overall in 2015 by ARI This is the time for Strome to prove the fans right. Since he was drafted 3rd overall behind generational talents Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, Strome has been hyped up in the Coyotes world as their next franchise center. That's a lot of pressure to put on a 19 year old kid from Mississauga, Ontario, but Dylan will probably be the first one to tell you, he's ready. "John Tavares" is a player many analysts have compared Strome to, and it shows in every facet of his game. Season prediction: 20G 32A 52P +15. 2nd line center, could earn a regular spot on the 2nd powerplay squad. Possibly lining up with Domi and/or Duclair could reignite some deadly chemistry and maybe give us a preview of what the Coyotes 1st line will look like in 2-3 years from now. Jakob Chychrun Drafted 16th overall in 2016 by ARI The 18 yr old from Boca Raton, FL has had an interesting induction into the NHL. Previously touted as a potential 2nd overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, second only to Auston Matthews in the eyes of many writers and analysts, Chychrun took a nosedive in the rankings due to his play during that season. He was ranked as low as a mid-twenties pick, some scouts even had him going in the 2nd round. John Chayka saw an opportunity at the 16th pick to grab him in his free-fall and made a deal with the Red Wings to get it. He's naturally gifted with hockey sense and puck possession abilities beyond his years, wowing coaches at main camp and earning an opening day slot. Season prediction: 5G 16A 21P +7. 3rd pairing defenseman, teaming up with Schenn/Connauton/potentially D'Angelo, and possibly earning powerplay time as well. Chychrun can eat up minutes, but will have his work cut out for him to take ice time away from Ekman-Larsson or Goligoski. Christian Dvorak Drafted 58th overall in 2014 by ARI For a few years now, Christian Dvorak has been the diamond in the rough sands of Arizona. Not many knew how good he could be when 57 players were selected before him, but then-GM Don Maloney felt like he won the lottery grabbing him "so late". Dvorak has dominated the OHL and is ready for his NHL debut, seemingly in competition with Strome for a spot until veteran Antoine Vermette was bought out of the last year of his deal with the Coyotes, almost as if they were preparing for the logjam of young talent about to attend main camp. Either on wing or center, Dvorak is sure to turn heads and grab attention this season. Season prediction: 12G 26A 38P +18. Dvorak couple end up anywhere up or down the roster, winging or centering. I except him to be tossed around until he clicks, but in the meantime he's looking at a 3rd line center spot with his name all over it. Lawson Crouse Drafted 11th overall in 2015 by FLA Lawson Crouse was the most recent stellar youth acquisition brought in by Chayka in a trade sending picks to Florida for Crouse and David Bolland. Lawson Crouse is a great player, all around skill, huge frame, a true power forward. Him making the final cuts surprised a few people, but with the added flexibility of Stone and Connauton on IR, coach Dave Tippett will have an extended preview of how Crouse fits on the team.
Season prediction 6G 14A 20P +2 Crouse will need to make a good case for himself early in the season to take ice time from Ryan White. His potential is higher but this young team could benefit from a few more veterans, leaving Crouse as the odd-man out. It will be interesting to see how his play converts to the NHL and if he can make it past the 9 game point.
