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July 20, 2012 - Coyotes 2012 Draft Review and Offseason News

PHOENIX - The 2012 EHEC Entry Draft is in the books, and the Phoenix Coyotes front office staff is back home. Amidst the hivelike buzz of the front office's preparations for the upcoming season, this reporter had the opportunity to sit down with Coyotes Commander-in-Chief Glen Ramsden to discuss the team's draft results and plans for the upcoming season.


1st round, 22nd overall
C/LW Tomas Hertl, Slavia Praha
Born: 1993-11-12 Praha, CZE
Height: 6'2" Weight: 198lbs Shoots: L
Projection: a natural centre version of Viktor Tikhonov

Hertl is a big, strong centre whose balanced defensive game, skills in the faceoff circle, and gritty play should find him right at home in Phoenix's system. Criticized somewhat as an uninspiring 1st round choice, Hertl was defended by GM Ramsden in the following statement:

"The bottom line is, we did our homework on Tomas. He never takes a shift off, he always gives 100% at both ends of the ice, and he stands up for his teammates. our scouting department projects him as a natural centre version of Vik Tikhonov. We selected him because we believed him to have the most value to our organization of the players available."


2nd round, 52nd overall
D Denis Vanin, Chelyabinsk
Born: 1994-6-16 Parts Unknown, RUS
Height: 6'0" Weight: 178lbs Shoots: R
Projection: a poor man's Brian Rafalski

This hardworking Russian blueliner evokes memories of former Phoenix stalwart Zbynek Michalek. Not a huge physical presence, Vanin earns his keep with tight checking and solid defensive positioning, and his superlative skating and talented stickhandling could make him an invaluable rushing d-man. Coyotes scouts believe Vanin has untapped potential and he'll be given every opportunity to take his game to the next level.


2nd round, 53rd overall
D Trevor Carrick, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
Born: 1994-7-4 Stouffville, ON
Height: 6'2" Weight: 172lbs Shoots: L
Projection: a tougher but less consistent poor man's Sergei Gonchar

Another blueliner with quick feet, and simliar in defensive style to pick #52 Denis Vanin, Trvor Carrick also adds a howitzer of a point shot, outstanding physical endurance, and a ready willingness to drop the gloves. On the down side, Carrick doesn't have Vanin's work ethic or durability. Nevertheless, Carrick is a talented youngster who could one day make significant contributions as a power play quarterback.


3rd round, 82nd overall
D Ronald Knot, Slavia Praha
Born: 1994-8-3 Prague, CZE
Height: 6'3" Weight: 192lbs Shoots: R
Projection: a more disciplined but less gritty poor man's Ed Jovanovski

Tomas Hertl's teammate at Slavia Praha, defender Ronald Knot should provide very solid two-way play provided he can improve his core skills. Concerns have been voiced over Knot's skating, checking, and endurance, but Phoenix's front office believes that Knot has the work ethic to overcome these limitations and one day be a productive member of the Coyotes defensive corps.


4th round, 112th overall
C/LW Ludvig Nilsson, Timra
Born: 1994-3-28 Stockholm, SWE
Height: 6'1" Weight: 173lbs Shoots: L
Projection: a grittier poor man's natural centre version of Lauri Korpikoski

Nilsson's hallmark is strong all-around play; he is equally adept on either side of the puck. While not an intimidating physical force, Nilsson is a determined checker who isn't afraid to mix it up a little. He also provides strength in an area that has traditionally been a weakness in Phoenix, as a natural centre with a knack for faceoffs, and he's a solid leader both on and off the ice. The only real knock against Nilsson is that his tenacious style of play results in an increased risk of injury.


5th round, 126th overall
C/LW Kevin Roy, Lincoln Stars
Born: 1993-5-20 Lac Beauport, QC
Height: 5'10" Weight: 170lbs Shoots: L
Projection: a grittier but less consistent Tim Connolly

The first North American forward drafted by the Coyotes in 2012, Roy is a scrappy skater with the talent to make inspired plays. His small size limits his physical play, but Roy makes it up with strong skating and tireless conditioning.


5th round, 142nd overall
C/LW Dane Fox, Erie Otters
Born: 1993-10-13 Thamesville, ON
Height: 6'0" Weight 185lbs Shoots: L
Projection: a less consistent, grittier, poor man's Valtteri Filppula

Natural centre Dane Fox is talented in the faceoff circle, a good team leader, and provides solid all-around play. Durable and intense, Fox will no doubt help to provide depth up the middle in Portland and Phoenix.


6th round, 172nd overall
LW/RW Tomas Nosek, HC Pardubice
Born: 1992-9-1 Pardubice, CZE
Height: 6'3" Weight: 180lbs Shoots: L
Projection: a slower version of Todd Bertuzzi

Overage draftee Tomas Nosek is a hard-nosed Czech winger who never takes a shift off. Not gifted with tremendous offensive talents, Nosek is nonetheless a useful asset with his physical play and durability. Nosek isn't afraid to stand up for himself or his teammates, but undisciplined penalties are somewhat of a concern.


7th round, 202nd overall
RW/LW Philip Tot, Lethbridge Hurricanes
Born: 1993-09-16 Calgary, AB
Height: 6'2" Weight: 197lbs Shoots: L
Projection: a less consistent, extremely poor man's Pavel Datsyuk who can't play centre

Western Hockey League product Philip Tot is a strong skater with good conditioning, and brings a balanced offensive game. His gritty and intense style of play can however lead to injuries, and he's been criticized for not finishing his checks. Phoenix coaching staff will be working closely with him to improve in these areas.


Draft Day also saw the Coyotes make a deal with the Calgary Flames, acquiring dynamic German winger David Elsner in exchange for Quinton Howden and Max Gardiner.

"We had our eye on Elsner before the 2010 Entry Draft, and there was some disagreement in our war room with the selection of Joe Basaraba with our 3rd round pick; there was also strong support for Elsner too. It was very difficult to choose between the two, and when Julien [Rozon, Flames GM] suggested Elsner might be available for the right return, we knew we had to try to get a deal done. We really regret the loss of Quinton Howden and Max Gardiner as both players were expected to make contributions on our checking/grinding lines, but that was the price of acquiring Elsner, and we wish Quint and Max all the best with their new team. Calgary runs a very classy organization and I'm sure they'll find success there," Ramsden commented on the trade.

The Coyotes offseason hasn't been entirely free of negativity, however, as evidenced by the sudden departure of almost the entire cadre of pre-Ramsden-era Coyotes coaching and scouting staffs. It was clear for some time that there was a division between the old guard and GM Ramsden's new hires, and tensions escalated during preparations for the draft. Reportedly, the ousted assistant coaches and scouts had a heated disagreement with Ramsden's hand-picked staff over the value of applying sabermetric-style statistical analysis to player scouting and development. Ramsden himself is a very progressive hockey executive and his coaching and scouting hires all share a similar philosophy, so it's not surprising there would be friction between them and the old-school staff. Ramsden declined any extended comment, saying only that the team is looking forward and that he's very excited to be working with a front office staff who share his vision.


June 22, 2012 - Pre-Draft Q&A With Coyotes GM

PITTSBURGH - As a preventative measure against boredom-induced coma while waiting for the draft to crawl forward, Phoenix Coyotes GM and team president Glen Ramsden sat down with "Coyotes Tonight" radio show host Luke Lapinski to answer a few questions. A partial transcript is as follows:

Luke Lapinski: What strategy will the team adopt at the draft this year?

Glen Ramsden: We've always drafted whoever we believe to be the best player available, and we will continue to do so.

LL: Are there any specific organizational needs you have in mind?

GR: We'd still like to get a little stronger up the middle, and more depth on defense is always welcome. After drafting Vladislav Namestnikov and Joseph Labate last year, as well as acquiring Chris Higgins, Toni Lydman, and Ricard Blidstrand, we think we're in pretty good shape for the near future. We don't feel the team has any glaring long-term needs at this time either, as we have a deep pool of prospects to eventually replace departing veterans.

LL: The Coyotes were rumored to be acquiring an extra pick this year in a deal that was said to include Mike Forney. Any truth to this?

GR: It's true that another organization showed great interest in Mike, but in the end we couldn't come to an agreement. Our scouting department loves Forney's upside, and after his impressive performance in limited icetime during the playoffs, we'll be working him in to an increased role this year to see what he can do.

LL: Some critics have pointed to the trade of Sergei Gonchar as a major reason Phoenix wasn't able to stand up to the San Jose Sharks this year. It did seem like odd timing, for a contending team to trade a productive veteran in the middle of the season.

GR: There were a few factors in play regarding that trade. Our actuarial staff brought up a concern that it would not be possible to extend both Shane Doan and Oliver Ekman-Larsson with Sergei's $6M salary on the books. While we could have kept him to the end of the playoffs, we would've then risked that our possible salary cap issues become public knowledge, and it would've been difficult to move that contract once other teams realized how desperate we were. Obviously, this was a problem I created myself by offering that contract, but without Sergei we don't win that Cup in 2011. In the end, we're very happy with the outcome.

LL: Vladislav Kartayev came flying out of the gate this year, forcing a call-up to Phoenix. He got off to a great start with the Coyotes, cooled somewhat around midseason, and then suffered that horrifying chest injury. What's the plan with him? Will he be ready for the 2012-13 season, and if so, will it be in Phoenix or Portland?

GR: Slava's rehabilitation is going well. Our medical staff expects him to be fully recovered by the end of October, so it's unlikely he'll be in the starting lineup on opening night, but he has definitely earned a spot on Phoenix's roster and we have no plans to send him back to Portland.

LL: That Pacific Division can be a harsh mistress. Do you conduct business differently, knowing the margin for error is so thin in a division with so many strong teams?

GR: Having never managed an EHEC franchise in any other division, it's hard to say with certainty, but I'd say that our long-term strategy of continually upgrading the talent level of the organization is a strategy that would work no matter who we faced in our division. If anything, it's the current state of our farm system that allows me to conduct business differently; with such a strong pool of well-regarded prospects already in the system, we were able to adopt a higher-risk/reward strategy. After all the "safe" picks we made in 2010 (as evidenced by their quick ascent through the system and solid NHL contributions) we were confident enough to choose a few "dark horse"-type players like Joseph Labate and Brennan Serville, as well as some guys considered to be less polished and emotionally developed.

LL: Any other thoughts to share?

GR: I'd like to thank everyone in the Coyotes family for their continued hard work; none of our success would've been possible without their valuable contributions. I'd like to especially thank our scouting and player development staff for putting in long hours to build our prospect rankings for the draft, as well as for the outstanding job they do as a whole. I'd like to thank the media for their fairness and accuracy in reporting, and finally I'd like to thank our fans, who are the real reason for this organization's success at the end of the day.

LL: Thanks for taking time out of your schedule to speak with us, and best of luck in the draft.

GR: Thanks, Luke. Always a pleasure.

June 2, 2012 - Offseason Review - Coyotes Gear Up For Entry Draft

PHOENIX - The dust has settled on the 2011-12 Phoenix Coyotes season with a six-game loss to the powerhouse San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Semifinals, and the organization is now looking towards this summer's EHEC Entry Draft. GM Glen Ramsden has been playing it close to the chest on which direction the team will take with its picks this year, and insiders are reporting that the team hasn't yet completed its scouting of the draft pool. As usual, the team has managed to acquire extra draft picks in Washington's 2nd (acquired for Zbynek Michalek) and Detroit's 5th (acquired for Matthew Lombardi.)

When asked about the disappointing playoff performances of Mikkel Boedker and Lauri Korpikoski, Ramsden responded, "Lauri rushed his rehab to get back as quickly as possible to help the team. As a result, he wasn't 100% in those games and it's not fair to fault a guy who just wanted to play. Mikkel Boedker's performance in the playoffs was disappointing, but keep in mind this is a kid who just came off his first 40-goal season. He's been under a tremendous amount of pressure, especially with the loss of Vladislav Kartayev. Mikkel feels awful about his playoff numbers and he's already working hard to get ready for the upcoming season. This core of players won the Stanley Cup for us, and we're confident they will do it again."

Despite these remarks, rumors are circulating that Phoenix has been in talks with several teams about possible trade opportunities.

October 1, 2011 - Desert Dogs 2011-12 Season Preview

PHOENIX - The preseason has come to an end and the Phoenix Coyotes have finalized their roster. While the team's core remains intact, some adjustments to the lineup have been made and the team is confident all the pieces are in place to successfully defend its first EHEC Stanley Cup.

Additions

D Mark Alt
The 20th overall pick in the 2010 Entry Draft, Alt spent the 2010-11 season in San Antonio. Early in the season Alt's struggles were apparent, but he developed quickly and by season's end he'd become the team's best defender. While Phoenix was expected to give Alt a long look during training camp, with the outstanding depth on the Coyotes blueline few forecast him to crack the starting lineup. As a result of Alt's impressive performance in preseason games, GM Glen Ramsden announced that Alt would be given a full-time role on a pairing with Kyle Quincey to start the season.

L/R Joe Basaraba
Basaraba is another 2010 draftee who was integral to San Antonio's playoff run last year. Tough, talented, and already a fan favorite from his gritty no-holds-barred play in preseason games, Basaraba's performance left the Coyotes no choice but to make room for him on the roster. Basaraba left it all on the ice in the preseason, including the teeth of several opposing players who foolishly chose to drop the gloves against him. Despite his willingness to take on all comers, Basaraba also shows significant offensive talent and positioning smarts, and the team confirmed rumors that "Joey Joe Joe" would start the season on the second scoring line alongside Mikkel Boedker and Lauri Korpikoski.

R/C Mike Forney
Acquired from the Winnipeg Jets for Patrick Eaves, Forney is a bit of a project: while he shows tremendous raw talent, his skating and positioning need significant work. The Coyotes coaching staff is confident they can help Forney realize his potential, however, and Forney will start the season playing right wing on Phoenix's grind line with Ryan Stone and Daniel Winnik.

Subtractions

D Zbynek Michalek
Michalek was a fairly reliable defender when healthy, but he was passed on the depth chart by several other Phoenix blueliners. Relegated to 3rd-pairing duties, Michalek struggled to fit in with the team's physical mandate and his performance suffered somewhat. During the offseason, Phoenix sent him to the Washington Capitals in exchange for their 2nd round pick in 2012.

L/C Matthew Lombardi
Sent to Detroit for a 5th round pick, some fans were extremely displeased about the loss of Matt Lombardi; his strong play in the playoffs was viewed by many as a major reason for Phoenix's championship season. With several young players forcing their way onto the roster however, difficult personnel decisions had to be made and Lombardi ended up as the odd man out.

L/R Taylor Pyatt
Pyatt provided excellent depth splitting time between Phoenix and San Antonio. However, his full-time job was taken by Ryan Stone, and Pyatt expressed his unhappiness with playing in the AHL. Washington was looking for physical players to add depth to its roster, so a trade was engineered to send Pyatt to the Capitals in exchange for Philadelphia's 2012 4th round pick (previously acquired.)

R/D Jim Vandermeer
Versatile and dependable, Vandermeer provided solid depth both on the blueline and the grind line. With the salary cap becoming more of an issue, and with improving organizational depth forcing Vandermeer into a part-time role, Phoenix was forced to let him leave as a free agent. Vandermeer will likely catch on somewhere and continue his solid if unspectacular contributions for another organization.

Other Notes

One conspicuous absence from the pro roster is winger Vladislav Kartayev. Kartayev impressed in a brief stint with the team last year, but his performance in training camp and preseason games led the coaching staff to conclude that his defensive game needed more work, so he was sent to Phoenix's new AHL affiliate in Portland. Team officials maintain their confidence in Kartayev though and a midseason callup is likely in his future.

July 19, 2011 - Phoenix 2011 Draft Review

PHOENIX - Following on the heels of a very successful 2010 draft and the franchise's first-ever Stanley Cup win, Coyotes fans had good reason to be excited about this year's entry draft, where Phoenix owned four picks in the top sixty and a total of twelve picks overall. While none of the picks were expected to produce any superstar-calibre players, the Coyotes organization is quickly developing a very successful pedigree in drafting and player development. Team officials were quoted as being very pleased with the players the team was able to select.


1st round, 30th overall
C/LW Vladislav Namestnikov, London Knights
Born: 1992-11-22 Voskresensk, RUS
Height: 6'0" Weight: 170lbs Shoots: L

Namestnikov is a slick-skating centre with a strong, accurate shot and outstanding stickhandling ability. He possesses superb conditioning and shows great promise in the faceoff circle. Namestnikov could be a consistent threat on the powerplay as well as the second scoring line. His defensive game needs work and his work ethic has sometimes been criticized as lacking, but Namestnikov is nevertheless a talented player with a bright future.

"We didn't think Vladislav [Namestnikov] would still be on the board as late as the 30th pick. A true offensive forward cut from the same cloth as Pavel Bure and Alexander Mogilny, Namestnikov is happiest with the puck; skating and deking his way to the net before unleashing a blistering top-corner snapshot. His leadership abilities are exceptional for his age, and we were delighted to be able to select him with our first pick." - Phoenix GM Glen Ramsden


2nd round, 46th overall (via Philadelphia Flyers)
C/LW Joseph Labate, Academy of Holy Angels
Born: 1993-04-16 Burnsville, MN
Height: 6'4" Weight: 180lbs Shoots: L

Labate is a bit of an enigma. Scouts are unsure as to this centreman's true potential. One thing is sure, though: Labate is a fearless warrior who hits to hurt and isn't afraid to drop the gloves against anyone. Optimistic projections liken him to a Todd Bertuzzi style of player, with skill and toughness in equal measure.

"If he develops as we think he should (and he should - the kid has a tireless work ethic) he could be the prototypical 2nd-3rd line centre. Labate has enough scoring ability to hold his own on the second line, but plays a mean physical style that would be ideal on a hard-hitting checking line. The biggest question marks are his ability to avoid the penalty box, as well as the disagreement among scouts as to his true potential. Either way, Labate is one mean mother on skates." - Phoenix scout Derek MacKinnon


2nd round, 50th overall (via Toronto Maple Leafs, via Calgary Flames)
G Matt McNeely, U.S. National Development Team
Born: 1993-02-16 St. Paul, MN
Height: 6'2" Weight: 205lbs Catches: L

McNeely projects as a very talented if somewhat inconsistent netminder. With Ilya Bryzgalov entrenched as the team's starter and solid performances from backup Alex Auld, McNeely will have his work cut out for him if he wants to collect an NHL paycheque. McNeely has the ability to excel, but scouts wonder if he has the drive and work ethic required to realize his full potential.

"He's a good kid, lots of talent, but sometimes his head's not in the game. Don't get me wrong, with his natural ability he'll likely be at least an above-average backup, and he has the potential to be a very good starter, but he'll have to stay focused. [Phoenix goalie coach] Grant Fuhr will be working closely with him to make sure his career stays on track." - Phoenix scout Sean Burke


2nd round, 60th overall
RW/LW Logan Shaw, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Born: 1992-10-05 Glace Bay, NS
Height: 6'3" Weight: 197lbs Shoots: R

Shaw is a tough and talented power forward who plays an intense physical game. Despite his penchant for throwing the body, Shaw is remarkably disciplined and manages to avoid careless penalties. He has been criticized, however, for sometimes lacking in work ethic.

"A strong, gritty player who isn't afraid to take on all comers, Logan shows a lot of promise as a checker and grinder who'll occasionally flash some scoring ability. His lapses in focus are somewhat problematic however, and he needs to work on his skating and conditioning." - Phoenix scout Gord Pell


3rd round, 90th overall
D Brennan Serville, Stouffville Spirit
Born: 1993-06-02 Scarborough, ON
Height: 6'2" Weight: 184lbs Shoots: R

Serville, Phoenix's first blueliner selected in 2011, is a true dark horse. Not blessed with exceptional natural abilities, Serville is a tireless worker who regularly puts in extra hours in practice. Solid play at both ends of the ice are his hallmark.

"If this kid doesn't succeed, it sure won't be for lack of trying. He's not the most talented player in the draft, but he's certainly one of the hardest-working." - Phoenix scout Keith Sullivan


4th round, 94th overall (via Toronto Maple Leafs)
RW/LW Maximilien Le Sieur, Shawinigan Cataractes
Born: 1992-09-27 Montreal, QC
Height: 6'2" Weight: 203lbs Shoots: R

Another big, strong, physical winger with questionable mental makeup, Max Le Sieur shows alot of promise as a grinder in the mold of Daniel Winnik but with more offensive upside. Not afraid to speak his mind in the dressing room, Le Sieur is well-liked by teammates and hated by opponents.

"Max loves to throw a punch or a check and goes to great lengths to stand up for his teammates. If he can maintain his drive and work ethic, we see him as a very solid option on Phoenix's depth chart." - Phoenix scout Rob Murphy


4th round, 106th overall (via Washington Capitals, via Columbus Blue Jackets, via Philadelphia Flyers)
D Mike Reilly, Shattuck-St. Mary's
Born: 1993-07-13 Chicago, IL
Height: 5'10" Weight: 150lbs Shoots: L

An offensively-talented blueliner whose physical game suffers due to his small size, Reilly could nonetheless carve out a successful career as lower-pairing defender and power play specialist. Disciplined and mature beyond his years, Reilly brings a stablizing presence to any dressing room.

"When we were scouting Joe Basaraba at Shattuck-St. Mary's last year, we also noticed Mike Reilly. Nobody's ever going to confuse him with Zdeno Chara, but this kid has some skills. At the very least, he's going to be a top scorer among AHL blueliners." - Phoenix scout Christian Ruutu


4th round, 120th overall
D Mattias Backman, Linkoping Jr.
Born: 1992-10-03 Linkoping, SWE
Height: 6'2" Weight: 169lbs Shoots: L

Backman is a talented but inconsistent defender from Linkoping, Sweden. Backman provides solid contributions at both ends of the ice when he's on his game, but he is often prone to mental lapses and slumps in production. Fairly tough and disciplined, Backman certainly has the tools to succeed, but his focus and determination remain in quetsion.

"Mattias could be a very good player if he gets his head on straight. He has plenty of ability but he needs to find a way to put it all together on a consistent basis." - Phoenix scout Barclay Parneta


5th round, 143rd overall (via Washington Capitals)
C/RW Nicholas Shore, University of Denver
Born: 1992-09-26 Denver, CO
Height: 6'0" Weight: 195lbs Shoots: R

Shore is a balanced two-way player, comfortable on either side of the puck. Shore has no real weaknesses in his game other than a somewhat lacking work ethic. A strong skater who isn't afraid to mix it up a little, Shore could provide good value on a checking line.

"This kid has an interesting skillset. He's not a superstar in any one area, but he does everything fairly well and can be counted on in a variety of situations. He'll need to stay focused if he wants to succeed." - Phoenix scout Keith Gretzky


5th round, 150th overall
C/RW Michael St. Croix, Edmonton Oil Kings
Born: 1993-04-10 Winnipeg, MB
Height: 5'11" Weight: 176lbs Shoots: R

St. Croix is similar to fellow Phoenix draftee Nicholas Shore; no outstanding abilities but quite well-rounded. His physical play is limited due to his small size, but he's extraordinarily disciplined and rarely takes bad penalties. He's also a solid dressing room presence and shows leadership ability beyond his years.

"A good teammate. Leads by example but isn't afraid to speak up when he feels it neccessary. Solid all-around player with some issues surrounding his focus and work ethic." - Phoenix scout Patrick Augusta


6th round, 180th overall
C/LW Destry Straight, Coquitlam Chiefs
Born: 1993-03-22 Vancouver, BC
Height: 6' Weight: 163lbs Shoots: L

While reasonably talented offensively, Straight's limited defensive abilities will likely prevent him from earning a regular shift at the NHL level. He could, however, be a top scorer in the AHL as well as providing injury insurance and additional depth in Phoenix.

"Talented but inconsistent, Straight will probably struggle to earn regular duties on an NHL roster. He does have value however, as he could probably score 40 goals a year in the AHL if he stays focused." - Coyotes scout Keith Gretzky


7th round, 210th overall
C/LW Jean-Francois Leblanc, Val-d'Or Foreurs
Born: 1993-03-03 Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
Height: 6'4" Weight: 190lbs Shoots: L

J-F Leblanc is another well-rounded skater without major holes in his game. Not particularly tough or blessed with offensive talent and unlikely to be an NHL regular, Leblanc will still be an above-average AHL player and will be more than capable of filling in for injured depth players for the Coyotes.

"A solid contributor all-around but probably not enough of a standout in any area to be a major player in the NHL. Jean-Francois will produce at the AHL level and will no doubt be waiting in the wings for his shot. He may surprise one day." - Phoenix scout Chris O'Hearn


All in all, it was another very successful draft for the Phoenix Coyotes, who are now tasked with the undertaking of finding enough ice time for all these up-and-coming prospects while still keeping the veterans happy... an enviable problem to have, for certain.

June 24, 2011 - Coyotes Gear Up for 2011 Entry Draft

Heading into Draft Day 2011, the Phoenix Coyotes organization finds itself in a very enviable position: after a best-ever finish in the regular season, the team followed it up by winning the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. In addition, the San Antonio Rampage (the team’s AHL affiliate) came within three wins of a Calder Cup victory. With most talent signed long-term throughout the organization, the Coyotes look to be contenders for several years to come. Any projected holes in the lineup within the next few years are expected to be filled by internal options. Sergei Gonchar (37), Shane Doan (34), Ed Jovanovski (34), and Tomas Kaberle (33) are the only core players over the age of 30, and the team has several promising young players in Mark Alt, Joe Basaraba, and Vladislav Kartayev on the way up through the organization. All three experienced growing pains as AHL rookies (though Kartayev did more than hold his own in a brief NHL audition) but by the playoffs, team scouts all agreed that they were beginning to hit their stride. Basaraba and Kartayev tied with Calder Cup-winning Worchester’s Charlie Coyle for third in playoff scoring, while Mark Alt tied for the playoff scoring lead among defensemen and led all blueliners with six goals. Alt’s blueline partner for much of the season, Jonas Ahnelov, also had a very strong playoff showing with 10 points in 19 playoff games after scoring only 13 in 72 regular-season contests.

With the impressive talent at both the NHL and AHL levels, one wouldn’t expect Phoenix to have much in the way of prospects or draft picks going forward. However, the team has several prospects expected to contribute within the next few years, including Chris Brown, Max Gardiner, and Quinton Howden. As well, the team has a surprising FOUR draft picks in the first two rounds. No superstars are expected to be drafted as Phoenix will have to wait for the 30th pick before making its first selection, but with Calgary’s and Philadelphia’s second-round picks as well as its own, the team expects to be very busy during picks 30-60. The organization also added Toronto’s and Philadelphia's 4th rounders and Washington’s 5th. These picks should yield additional depth players.

EHEC analysts have commented that after the trades of Kyle Turris and Jarret Stoll, the team’s weakness (if any) would be a dearth of true centremen in Phoenix. Jordan Staal is a perfect fit on the top line, and Daniel Winnik has been very effective centering the crash line, but the team has been forced to rotate several players through the 2nd and 3rd line centre positions. Players like Matthew Lombardi, Martin Hanzal and Viktor Tikhonov can play up the middle in a pinch but are more naturally suited to the wings. Boyd Gordon excels as a faceoff specialist and penalty killer, but lacks the offensive skills to play on the second scoring line and the physical presence required for the checking line. Despite being bounced between the second and third lines, Gordon had an impressive season and contributed significantly to the team’s Cup run.

“We have our eyes on several players we are hoping will still be available at the end of the first round,” stated team president and GM Glen Ramsden. “It’s very hard to predict at this point who we will select, but without any glaring needs, we will most likely choose whomever we believe is the best player available. Trading a draft pick to bring in a hard-hitting checking line centre isn’t out of the question either, if one is made available.”

When asked about Phoenix’s potential issues at centre, Ramsden responded, “We like Lauri Korpikoski on the second line; faceoffs might not be a big strength of his but he provides a very stable two-way presence on a line with mostly offensive-minded wingers, so we’re willing to overlook a less-than-stellar faceoff winning percentage. After all, what’s the use of winning a faceoff if the line immediately turns the puck over? Take Danny Winnik, for example. He might not be a star in the faceoff circle, but if he loses the draw he'll just knock the guy down and take the puck from him. It can be a very effective strategy, and the fans seem to get a kick out of it," Ramsden winked.

He continued, “We’re also very lucky to have Boyd Gordon in the lineup; the guy is the prototypical defensive forward. He never takes a shift off and he’s been very effective killing penalties, even more so since [assistant coach in charge of special teams] Andreas Karlsson paired him with Brett Connolly. Gordon isn’t the most dominant physical force on the team, but he is very smart positionally and can certainly carry his weight on a checking line.”

Hockey insiders theorize that Phoenix will be hoping a player like Vladislav Namestnikov or Joachim Nermark will be available at 30th overall, as either one could eventually be an ideal fit on the second line. Nermark’s physical play could also see him centering a checking line. Phoenix is also rumored to be interested in Gregory Hofmann, though concerns have been voiced about Hofmann’s mobility. Phoenix has also considered several blueliners with an eye towards eventually replacing veterans such as Gonchar, Jovanovski, and Kaberle.

All questions will be answered Saturday, and whatever direction Phoenix chooses in the draft, there is no question that the future is bright for this organization.



June 22, 2011 - COYOTES CLAIM CUP!

PHOENIX - It was a season for the ages in the desert, as the Phoenix Coyotes defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games on their way to collect hockey's greatest reward. Finally shaking off the spectre of poor postseason performances past, the Phoenix squad took on all comers and emerged as league champion.

Despite getting off to a rough start against first-round opponent St. Louis, the team began to find its playoff rhythm and was able to get the best of the Blues in a hard-fought series that went the full seven games. Getting out of the quarterfinals was clearly a huge confidence boost to the team, as they went on to post decisive five-game series victories over the strong division rival Los Angeles Kings and the powerhouse Columbus Blue Jackets. Phoenix drew the Pittsburgh Penguins in the finals, and came out on top of a very close series in six games.

"I can't put into words how great this feels," grinned team captain Shane Doan, wringing champagne out of his hair. "Everyone bought into our system and the team just came together beautifully. It's great to finally rid the franchise of the 'playoff pushover' image we've been dragging around since the old days back in Winnipeg."

Doan, the last remaining active player to dress for both the Jets and the Coyotes, continued, "This was a true team effort. Everyone chipped in, and everyone played his part."

"Absolutely amazing," responded rookie winger Brett Connolly when asked how he felt. "To go from freshly-drafted prospect to top-line winger for the Stanley Cup champions in less than a year is a dream come true!"

Despite a relatively young lineup, the team displayed remarkable poise in bouncing back from what could have been several morale-crushing losses. Alternate captains Ed Jovanovski and Tomas Kaberle provided a steady veteran presence to balance the energy of the younger players. Beleaguered goalie Ilya Bryzgalov wasted no time silencing his critics with a solid, reliable performance between the pipes.

Head coach Bill Barber commented, "Everything just came together for us this year. Last season the team surprised everyone with our best-ever regular season finish, but we faded a little down the stretch and kind of backed into the playoffs. Losing to Chicago in five games really hurt, and the fans were quick to blame Ilya Bryzgalov for the early exit. The fact is though, the whole team earned those losses. President Ramsden, Wayne Gretzky, [rookie assistant coach] Andreas Karlsson and I sat down together and decided that a free-wheeling, all-offense style of play might work in the regular season, but that strategy failed badly for us in the playoffs. Changes clearly needed to be made. At first I was a little skeptical that a high-powered offensive lineup would buy into a more defensive strategy, but the team really rallied under the new scheme."

"Free-wheeling wasn't working for us," Ramsden agreed. "Our scouting department took an exhaustive look at the organization and came back with a few key concerns. We wanted to get bigger and stronger on our scoring lines, and we needed to get more mobile on defence."

Ramsden engineered a trade for Tomas Kaberle and signed veteran free agent Sergei Gonchar, and along with the emergence of prospect Oliver Ekman-Larsson as a premium all-around defender, retooled the Coyotes blueline to be arguably the deepest and most talented in the league. Jordan Staal was brought in from Toronto to replace Kyle Turris, and immediately gelled with Shane Doan on the top line. 2010 draftee Brett Connolly was fast-tracked to the NHL and became a full-time player by midseason, his offensive talents and positional smarts beautifully complementing the toughness and physical play of Doan and Staal.

The future looks extremely bright for Phoenix, as the team anticipates no significant roster changes in the offseason and should return rested and ready to defend the Cup in 2011-12.



August 7, 2010 - Winds of Change Blow Through the Desert

PHOENIX - After a surprising 2009-10 season that saw the Coyotes at or near the top of the league standings for much of the season and fighting tooth-and-nail for top spot in the division until a stretch run swoon, team president and general manager Glen Ramsden is not content for the team to sit on its laurels. Ramsden signed talented free agent blueliner Sergei Gonchar to a $24M, 4-year contract that should see him finish his storied career in Phoenix. Ramsden then worked a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs to acquire promising young centre Jordan Staal and Calgary's 2nd round pick in 2011 (previously acquired by Toronto) in exchange for Martin Havlat, Kyle Turris, and Keith Yandle.

"Our organization has always been very high on Staal," stated Ramsden, "and when Mike [Walters, Maple Leafs GM] let us know that Staal could be available in the right deal, we had to make the move. We have a great core of talent in Phoenix, but other than Shane Doan we don't have a lot of two-way ability on our scoring lines. Jordan will bring a ton of defensive presence and physical play to our top line and give us that true #1 centre the organization has been looking for."

Ramsden continued, "This deal came with a steep price, though. Kyle Turris is showing a lot of promise, with 62 points in 65 games last season. Keith Yandle is a fan favorite and a great all-around defender with the ability to punish opposing forwards with crushing hits. The acquisition of Kyle Quincey from Edmonton helps offset this loss however, as they're very similar players. Martin Havlat played great for us before he got injured, but with seven forwards fighting it out for six spots on the top two lines, this move made sense for us."

Fans are reported to have mixed reactions to the trade.



July 20, 2010 - Phoenix Inaugural Entry Draft Review

1st round, 9th overall (from CGY)
LW/RW Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars
Born: 1992-05-02 Prince George, BC
Height: 6'2 Weight: 181 Shoots: R

GM Glen Ramsden's first-ever draft pick since taking over the reigns of the Coyotes, Brett Connolly projects to be an elite two-way talent. While not the flashiest prospect selected in the 2010 draft, Connolly is a do-everything type of player with no weaknesses in his game.

"There might have been a couple of players with higher projected offensive ability available at 9th overall, but [General Manager Glen] Ramsden loves his complete players, and Connolly is just that. Our scouting department thinks this guy could be the next Shane Doan." -Coyotes scout Keith Sullivan


1st round, 15th overall
D Mark Alt, Cretin-Derham Hall HS
Born: 1991-10-18 Kansas City, MO
Height: 6'3 Weight: 199 Shoots: R

A two-sport star (he's also the starting QB of his school's varsity football team) and natural athlete, Alt shows tremendous promise as a hard-hitting shutdown defender with some offensive upside. Assuming he chooses to focus on hockey, Alt could be a mainstay of the Phoenix blueline for years to come.

"Alt is a tremendous athlete and coaches love working with him as he's so receptive to instruction. With innate defensive instincts and the ability to throw bone-crushing checks, if this kid reaches his true potential he could be one of the best defencemen this organization has ever seen. Looking at him, I see a young Scott Stevens." -Coyotes scout Christian Ruutu


2nd round, 50th overall
RW Vladislav Kartayev, Ufa
Born: 1992-02-10 Russia
Height: 6'2 Weight: 165 Shoots: R

Kartayev possesses outstanding speed and agility along with superlative physical conditioning. Not gifted with extraordinary offensive skills, the Russian forward nevertheless shows promise due to his skating ability and dominant physical play that belies his slender physique. Once Kartayev's frame fills out a little he could be a feared physical presence on the ice.

"A bit of a dark horse. He's fairly talented but not flashy with the puck, and his speed and endurance should make up for his somewhat limited defensive ability. This kid could be downright scary once he bulks up a little, because even at only 165 lbs he's shown an innate ability to deliver a mean open-ice hit. He probably won't ever threaten for the scoring title, but with his speed he'll always be dangerous." -Coyotes scout Steve Lyons


3rd round, 75th overall
LW/RW Joe Basaraba, Shattuck-St. Mary's HS
Born: 1992-05-02 Fort Frances, ON
Height: 6'2 Weight: 190 Shoots: R

Another physical forward chosen by the Coyotes, Basaraba projects as a versatile two-way winger with outstanding positional smarts and slick stickhandling. Phoenix scouts consider him to be one of the toughest players available in this year's draft, and in addition to his solid play at both ends of the ice Basaraba will certainly give opposing players second thoughts about taking physical liberties with his teammates. Questions remain, however, regarding Basaraba's conditioning and work ethic.

"I love this kid's projection. Joe can score goals, throw bodychecks, and throw punches. He plays the game with a mean streak a mile wide. If he can mature a little emotionally and develop a stronger work ethic, he could become the type of player that teammates love and opponents hate." -Coyotes scout Derek MacKinnon


4th round, 104th overall
LW/RW Quinton Howden, Moose Jaw Warriors
Born: 1992-01-21 Oakbank, MB
Height: 6'3 Weight: 183 Shoots: L

Another hard-hitting two-way forward, Howden possesses decent shooting ability but his true strength lies in his knack for jarring hits and tremendous foot speed. His defensive ability projects as similar to fellow Phoenix draftee Vladislav Kartayev, but with more limited offensive upside.

"He reminds me of a more physical version of Jason Chimera... he's got that blazing speed and decent shot but unlike Chimera, Howden hits to hurt. Unlikely to become a star, Howden should still become a useful asset for the Coyotes in a depth role." - Coyotes scout Robert Nordmark


4th round, 110th overall
LW/RW Gal Koren, Mannheim
Born: 1992-01-16 Ljubljana, Germany
Height: 6'1 Weight: 169 Shoots: L

Despite his smallish size, Koren projects as a feared enforcer. While he doesn't show much of a physical game, Koren shouldn't be a liability in his own end. As well, he shows some flair with the puck and could develop into more than just a goon.

"Tough as nails. If he can develop his work ethic a little, he might be able to carve himself out a niche as an enforcer with 20-goal potential." - Coyotes scout Barclay Parneta


4th round, 115 overall
C/LW Max Gardiner
Born: 1992-05-07 Edina, MN
Height: 6'3 Weight: 176 Shoots: L

Another hard-hitting, strong-skating two-way forward, Gardiner is no slouch offensively, and shows outstanding ability in the faceoff circle. Gardiner could be a very capable center on one of Phoenix's checking lines.

"He reminds me a lot of a slicker-skating Taylor Pyatt who can play center. Not a star, but he could still be a very serviceable player." -Coyotes scout Gord Pell


5th round, 122nd overall
C/LW Pavel Kulikov
Born: 1992-01-14 Nizhnekamsk, Russia
Height: 6'0 Weight: 165 Shoots: L

Kulikov shows a lot of offensive promise with his strong, accurate shot and superlative stickhandling ability. Kulikov is capable in his own end and shows great promise as a dressing room leader, but he has been criticized for taking bad penalties and lacking in work ethic.

"This guy has skills to spare, but he needs to learn to play a more disciplined game. If he can get his head on straight, he could be an impact player." -Coyotes scout Keith Gretzky


6th round, 170th overall
Lw/RW Anatoli Nikontsev
Born: 1990-06-25 Sverdlovsk, Russia
Height: 6'0 Weight: 176 Shoots: R

This Russian youngster possesses a blistering shot but lacks in playmaking ability and is a below-average checker. Will likely put up big numbers in the AHL, but isn't talented enough offensively to provide top-six production at the NHL level.


7th round, 200th overall
G Will Yanakeff
Born: 1992-04-30 Jerome, MI
Height: 6'2 Weight: 200 Glove: L

Yanakeff should project as a third or fourth string goalie on Phoenix's depth chart. Not likely to become a start but could hold his own in limited NHL action.


Ceiling upgrade: Joe Basaraba +10 CH +10 HI
(I'm sorry it's a couple minutes late but I've been trying for half an hour to upload this stupid draft summary... I hate oilpatch internet)

[Virtual Jarmo]

Do I be a complete dick about 8 minutes?

[Parker]

Do I be a complete dick about 8 minutes?

C'mon, man. Internet service sucks ass out in the bush.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Can't do Basaraba. It's guys with less than 70 POT.

[Parker]

Can't do Basaraba. It's guys with less than 70 POT.

D'oh.

I didn't draft anyone with below 70 POT other than Mark Alt (POT boost potential) and Will Yanakeff (goalie) so nobody I drafted is really eligible.

Not to be a whiner or anything, but if I'd known about this during the draft, I sure would've picked differently in the 6th and 7th rounds.

Any chance I could use my ceiling boosts on a 6X POT guy already in my system instead?

[Virtual Jarmo]

Can't do Basaraba. It's guys with less than 70 POT.

D'oh.

I didn't draft anyone with below 70 POT other than Mark Alt (POT boost potential) and Will Yanakeff (goalie) so nobody I drafted is really eligible.

Not to be a whiner or anything, but if I'd known about this during the draft, I sure would've picked differently in the 6th and 7th rounds.

Any chance I could use my ceiling boosts on a 6X POT guy already in my system instead?

I'll look at your '09 draft class.


The point wasn't to know about it during the draft, Glen. The point was to increase post-draft activity between the draft and FA. I wasn't going to do anything. With such a deep draft class, this should be viewed as a generous blessing rather than a curse.

[Parker]

Yeah I know, it's like found money... I'm just frustrated that none of my draftees can benefit from it. I was thinking a guy like Michael Stone or Mathieu Brodeur for ceiling upgrades. It won't turn either one into a great player but at least they might have a shot at part-time NHL duty.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Yeah I know, it's like found money... I'm just frustrated that none of my draftees can benefit from it. I was thinking a guy like Michael Stone or Mathieu Brodeur for ceiling upgrades. It won't turn either one into a great player but at least they might have a shot at part-time NHL duty.

One/both of them is fine. Brodeur's got two monster OF ceilings and then the worst PL ceiling I've ever seen.

[Parker]

I can't believe I forgot to post this. Hopefully it's not too late...

Mathieu Brodeur is my choice for ceiling boosts. +10 PL, +10 HI

Thanks!

[Parker]

Bump for some updated press releases.

[Parker]

Bumped for 2011 Draft Preview.

(good thing it's been an uncharacteristically slow day at work, hehehe)

[Parker]

Bumped for 2011 Draft Review. Did anyone else have fucking TWELVE draftees?

[Parker]

Bumped for 2011-12 season preview.

EDIT: Huh, I can't believe I forgot Taylor Pyatt. I should probably fix that at some point.

[CapsGM]

michalek?

[Parker]

michalek?

Holy Jesus, I suck. Forgot him too!