With the 12th overall selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the Arizona Coyotes selected Brendan Perlini, a 6'2 205lbs left-winger with blazing speed.
Turns out this was a bit of a coupe for the 'Yotes as most commentators had Perlini in the top ten. That makes two straight years that they have grabbed a better pick at #12 than could have been expected, as drafting in the same spot last year, Max Domi fell into their laps as well.
There is a lot to be excited about here, as the Coyotes address their biggest concern: scoring forwards. Perlini will join Domi, Boedker, Samuelson, Hanzal as potentially high-impact forwards in the Coyotes system. Sure, it appears they are missing that "can't miss" blue-chipper, but when you combine this pick with the youth on D - OEL, Summers, Stone,Murphy and Gormely - the Coyotes have a great collection of young players.
The big thing about Perlini, is not only his size, but the speed with which he plays the game. Obviously he didn't go #1, so there are doubts about his ability to reach his potential, but his size and speed combo brings immediately to mind Rick Nash.
After being traded from the OHL's Barrie Colts to the Niagara Ice Dogs, Perleni exploded and ended the year with 34 goals and 71 points in 54 games.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone not saying the Coyotes made a great pick here, and in fact, they might have stolen a player who deserved to go higher. Truly, the Coyotes are quietly building one of the best groups of prospects in the NHL.
In an odd coincidence, or actually, at this point it's probably a preference they have and not coincidental at all, the Coyotes have now drafted the sons of former NHL players 4 years in a row: Fred Perlini once played 8 games with the Maple Leafs, Ulf Samuelson was once known as the dirtiest player in hockey, Tie Domi was a fan favorite and enforcer for the Leafs and Gord Murphy was also in the NHL. Also in the Coyotes system: Ron Hextall's son.
Just a quick note to some on English language usage: drafting the son of a former hockey player to play hockey is the opposite of ironic.
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Yandle
No update on keith Yandle, but rumours continue to swirl that he will be traded this offseason. There simply isn't a team in the NHL that wouldn't be excited to add an offensive defenseman of Yandle's calibre, and, as noted in yesterday's blog, his value will probably never be higher.
Later Rounds
The Coyotes did not have their own second rounder because they traded it for Martin Erat, but they did have the Blackhawks pick which was 58th, from the Rundblad deal, and they used it to select Christian Dvorak, who is a possible steal at this pick because he missed most of last year with a knee injury and could possibly have gone higher had he not got hurt.
In the third round they selected Antoine Karlsson a "banger" who, unfortunately, has no relation to Erik Karlsson. He was selected 87th and was the 11th ranked European in the draft.
Ostensibly, the Coyotes picked other players after the third round, and I will update later or tomorrow, but for now, I gotta go.
Thanks, as always, for reading. Try to listen to a little more Joy Division in your day-to-day, and I'll see y'all tomorrow.