Coyotes 2012 Draft Review and Offseason News

[Parker]

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.


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.