It's doubtful that when training camp began recently that the Arizona Coyotes expected to have five rookies make the team for opening night on October 15th against the Philadelphia Flyers. Stranger things have happened.
The youthful prospects that this team displays will take them a long way towards becoming an elite team in the Western Conference.
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The big question to be answered by the hockey gods is... how far can these rookies take the Coyotes this season? Will they be a playoff team? Or will they flounder some more before all the young guys mature more and get their game to the level of NHL standards?
Let's go through each player and see what they will bring to the team this season.
Dylan Strome
Strome just missed being added to the NHL roster last season when then GM Don Maloney decided he needed more development and had to build his frame up to withstand the size of NHL bodies hitting him. He did just that by coming into camp this time 10 pounds heavier and has worked on his 200-foot game, as well as his skating. He may have been accused of "cherry picking" at times when he needed to get back on defense.
He played well enough in the pre-season with two goals, two assists to grab a roster spot this time around. He's not a flashy player, and there are times he seems to disappear on the ice, but he is a hard worker and should help the Coyotes get to their goal of making the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
If he can score about the same as Max Domi (52 points) or Anthony Duclair (44 points) he will be an asset to the team. If he doesn't play well, the team can still send him back to the OHL after nine games playing in the NHL. Don't look for that to happen. He's loaded with talent, and once he finds his niche, he will be fine just as Domi and Duclair were last season.
Christian Dvorak
After having another banner year in the OHL, where he not only broke scoring records but hoisted the Memorial Cup, Dvorak is ready to show the hockey world he's the real thing. And, the Coyotes are ready to give him the opportunity to put his talents on display in Arizona.
"Dvo" as he is nicknamed, was one of the star players in training camp and deserves the nod to be in the starting lineup Saturday night at Gila River Arena when the Coyotes kick off their 20th year in the Valley of the Sun. He will more than likely be centering a line with Tobias Rieder on the left side, and Ryan White on the right side. Rieder's speed and White's grit will be something to see.
It won't matter to Dvorak, as he is an excellent two-way player who seems to always be around the puck and action. He fits the Dave Tippett mode to a tee.
Jakob Chychrun
Chychurn made it perfectly clear he intended to make the NHL roster when he arrived in training camp.
Yeah, but most rookies say that.
Chychurn meant it, though and proved it by his outstanding play in camp and the pre-season. He was as steady as a 10-year veteran on the blueline where his chiseled 6' 2", 205-pound frame intimidated anyone charging into his defensive zone. He's not afraid to move in from the blue-line Ala Oliver Ekman-Larsson when the opportunity arises. He was a longshot to make the team, and he still may be sent back to juniors after nine games depending on his performance.
The kid exudes confidence, and you must admire that in a player at any level. He will line up with Jamie McBain on the right side, providing the Coyotes with a much-improved defense this season.
Chychrun has turned some heads, and he may not be done.
Laurent Dauphin
Dauphin had a brief stint last season, playing in eight games and registering his first NHL goal. He will be providing fill in service along with Lawson Crouse. Dauphin is good in the corners retrieving the puck for his wingers and should provide some scoring prowess to keep him around for a while.
One thing about this team, if you start to slow down, ease up... someone will be waiting to take your place with all the deep talented young prospects at the team's disposal.
Lawson Crouse
Crouse will need to get enough ice time to show he will stick around more than the nine-game trial period, or he'll be heading back to juniors. That may be tough if he and Dauphin are filling in on forward line combinations that Dave Tippett formulates. He's a big kid who has some skill and was the 11th overall draft pick this summer.
GM John Chayka seems to think highly of him, and he may just need some additional time to develop further in junior.
Crouse told azcentral.com Sarah McLellan: "I play strong. I play mean, he said. "I do whatever it takes to help the team win and make the players around me better players."
Five rookies all trying to stay in the NHL. It should be intriguing to see how it turns out.