Coyotes: 2016 NHL Draft Targets

It is still a month until the NHL Draft, but with the Coyotes promoting John Chayka to GM yesterday it seems fitting to also begin to get prepared for the draft.

The Arizona Coyotes didn’t have luck on their side in the NHL Draft Lottery, so they will now focus on having the seventh overall pick in the NHL Draft, which will take place on June 24 and June 25.

It will be interesting to see if the Coyotes try to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick, currently owned by the Toronto Maple Leafs, to take Auston Matthews. Matthews was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona and will likely become the first Mexican-American to be selected first overall in NHL history.

It sure would seem fitting for the Coyotes to trade up to the first overall pick in order to do this, but the asking price may be too tall for the Coyotes. In order to pull off this type of deal the Coyotes would likely need to trade Oliver Ekman-Larsson, one of their up-and-coming prospects such as Max Domi or Anthony Duclair, and the 7th overall pick.

In the case that the Coyotes are not willing to part with so many pieces for the rights to Matthews, here are some “expert” opinions on what the Coyotes will do with their first round pick.

DraftSite.com has the Coyotes selecting 6’2″ Russian defenseman Mikhail Sergachev with the 7th overall pick…

"Big tough mobile import defenseman playing in the OHL with a strong heavy point shot. A difficult player to beat one on one because he possesses a strong stride and excellent East-West lateral mobility. Relishes been able to get a big check in on opponents both along the boards and in open-ice. Has good vision and in transition makes good home run outlet passes. And although he on occasion will hold on to pucks a bit long, or get careless in his carries, he displays good passing skills. When you see a junior defender with this size ,mobility mixed with a dose of nasty, you have to think he goes off the board early no matter how much the pro game is evolving"

MyNHLDraft.com has the Coyotes taking 18-year-old Florida native Jakob Chychrun. Chychrun is also a 6’2″ defenseman. Curtis Joe of Elite Prospects describes Chychrun as…

"An unyielding two-way defenceman, Jakob Chychrun is a rising star with a toolbox bursting at the seams. Consistently displays elite four-way skating ability and is not afraid to throw his weight around physically. Plays with poise and composure through high pressure situations and, with the puck on his stick, can direct the play up-ice. Exhibits a particularly potent shot that works its magic on the power play and on the forecheck. Excellent first pass and uses his vision and awareness to keep the puck moving in the direction of the opposition’s tail or to a teammate with more time and space. Defensively adept at tracking the puck and staying a step ahead of the opposition. Proactive with his stick and body, exerting pressure on the opposition and forcing them to make hurried decisions."

Finally, TheHockeyWriters.com has Arizona taking 17-year-old C/W Pierre Luc-Dubois. Elite Prospects describes Luc-Dubois as…

"A phenomenal two-way power forward that thrives under pressure. He brings versatility, being able to play as a center or a winger, as well as elite skill and agility. His athleticism is exemplified in his strong skating that allows him to backcheck hard, explode up the ice in-transition, or propel himself up into hits that opponents won’t soon forget. His defensive zone play is excellent; he proactively finds and takes away shooting and passing lanes, and makes it tough on opponents to pinpoint any daylight."

With the Shane Doan nearing retirement either this Summer or next year, the addition of Luc-Dubois to the young firepower that the Coyotes already possess would be explosive. Obviously the defensemen struggled this past season, but Ekman-Larsson is a beautiful piece to build around at the blue line and by adding either Sergachev or Chychrun to the mix would not be the worst thing in the world either.

Next: Diamondbacks: Give Tim Lincecum a Chance

Personally, I think the Coyotes should shoot for the stars and trade up to the No. 1 pick to draft Matthews, but I also think they should stand pat on not giving up Ekman-Larsson or Domi.