GLENDALE, Az – The Arizona Coyotes enter the 2017 off-season much as they entered the 2016 off-season. The return of Captain Shane Doan is in question, their goaltending tandem is basically set, and they hold the #7 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. They have a lot of good, young talent in their minor-league system. How much of that talent will be ready to advance to the NHL club will once again be the big question.
Talent aside, one thing the Coyotes need more of is size…especially if Doan does decide to retire once and for all. Lawson Crouse provided the team with some much-needed physicality (especially after Ryan White was traded away), but his skills haven’t fully developed yet. He showed flashes of offensive ability, but not on any sort of consistent basis.
What the Coyotes really need is a good two-way player with size…something like Martin Hanzal, whom the club traded away last season. One player who might fit that bill is Michael Rasmussen of the Tri-City Americans (WHL). The 6′ 6″, 215 lb. Center is a power-forward in the mold of Keith Tkachuk. He averaged more than a point-per-game last season (55 points in 50 games), and led his team in Power Play goals with 15.
He’s still young (18 years old) and only in his second year of Junior Hockey, so he may still be a couple of years away from being NHL-ready, but he should be worth the wait.
Another possibility could be Cody Glass of the Portland Winterhawks (WHL). His 94 points in 69 games are certainly impressive, but his slim build (6’2″, 178 lbs.) might be a limiting factor.
Should the Coyotes decide to go in another direction, there is a good, young defenseman available by the name of Cale Makar. He put up 75 points in 54 games with Brooks (AJHL), largely due to his plus Hockey sense and excellent skating ability. His only negative is his small stature (5′ 11″, 180 lbs.). He might fit in with the Coyotes fast-and-mobile philosophy, but they already have a similar player in Anthony DeAngelo.
All things said, I think Rasmussen is the closest of the three to being “NHL-ready”. His size makes him very attractive, so PHN believes that will be the deciding factor and expect to hear the following announcement at the draft.
“With the 7th overall pick, the Arizona Coyotes select Michael Rasmussen from the Tri-City Americans (WHL).”
You must be logged in to post a comment.