PHN Mock NHL Entry Draft: Phoenix Coyotes

PHOENIX, AZ – The Phoenix Coyotes recently signed their 2007 first round pick and top prospect, Kyle Turris, to a contract in March 2008. That signing marked the third straight first rounder to be signed by the Coyotes, (although they recently lost the rights to 2004 first round draft choice Blake Wheeler who opted for free agency).   That good news was tempered by the failure of the ‘Dogs to reach the postseason this year.  But even that bad news was eased by the overallperformance of the Coyotes this season as they exceeded expectations by a considerable degree.   On the upside this year general manager Don Maloney pulled off a mid-season waiver deal that brought goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov to the Coyotes from the Anaheim Ducks.  Bryzgalov’s performance in net gave the Desert Dogs immediate credibility in and increased the team’s depth at the position.    The nets were further filled at the trade deadline when Maloney worked a deal to pick up Al Montoya from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. Montoya has all upside but has yet to stand in the crease for an NHL contest.   The down side of that trade with the Rangers was the acquisition of Marcel Hossa who had been invisible in the Rangers lineup and was a non-factor in the Coyotes lineup after going pointless in 14 games and was a minus-6 in a Phoenix sweater.  Local Phoenix media have placed Hossa as bait should Maloney want to make a move on his brother Marian Hossa, an unrestricted free agent with the Penguins.   Three forwards made significant impact on the Coyotes roster this season and bode well for the ability of the front office to assess talent for the draft. Peter Mueller, Martin Hanzal and Daniel Winnik each had tremendous seasons for the team during the 2007-08 campaign.   Three players make up the potential draft picks for the Coyotes in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Defenseman Luke Schenn is in consideration along with center Cody Hodgson.    Schenn is a solid defenseman who stands 6’2” and weighs in at 216 pounds. Having just turned 18 when he joined the World Junior Championships he was somewhat outclassed by his older teammates and opponents. However, the International Scouting Service has placed him at number 6 in the draft. Schenn is characterized as the second coming of Adam Foote for his physical play.    Meanwhile Hodgson is a centerman who is coming out of the Ontario Hockey League’s Brampton Battalion. For the 2007-2008 season Hodgson picked up 40 goals and 85 points and a plus-15 in 68 games.    The Coyotes will draft in the eighth position in the 2008 Entry Draft and will certainly have their eyes on one of these two prospects. This season the team is in flux although only one defenseman on the Phoenix roster is a restricted free agent (RFA), Matt Jones. Nearly two full lines of forwards are either RFA or unrestricted free agents. The assessment would suggest that the Phoenix Coyotes will go after a talented forward and centerman and pick Hodgson when their turn comes.   With the eighth pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft the Phoenix Coyotes select Cody Hodgson of the Brampton Battalion. Photos courtesy of the NHL