To state that Arizona Coyotes' GM John Chayka is addressing the team's weak link on his blue-line is an understatement.
After drafting swift center Clayton Keller with their first round seventh overall selection, the Coyotes went ALL defense in their next five selections, including one trade of pick number 37.
DeAngelo could start playing as soon as this season
Anthony DeAngelo -- 21 was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Yotes' 37th overall second round pick. He is considered an offensive defenseman who tallied six goals, 37 assists in 69 games last season while playing for the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League.
His offensive stats are pretty impressive. He averaged over a point a game while playing junior hockey with 55 goals, and 186 assists in 236 games in the Ontario Hockey League.
Chayka mentioned that DeAngelo may have a chance to make the Coyotes' roster this season, and DeAngelo agrees.
He stated, "That's my goal. Personally, I think I'm ready and I'm going to do whatever I can to make the team. I'm just going to keep working until I'm there."
One issue for concern with DeAngelo is that he was disciplined twice for violating league harassment and abuse/diversity policies while playing for Sarnia. Then, two years ago, he was suspended eight games for using a slur towards a teammate.
GM Chayka seems disinterested by his background, and is dismissing that due to the fact that he is passionate about winning, and the team is willing to work with him to resolve his past transgressions.
What also has the Coyotes excited is DeAngelo is he is a right-handed shot, and if they don't come out with a trade for Kevin Shattenkirk, whom they are pursuing, they will have DeAngelo as a backup plan.
Introducing Cam Dineen
With their number 68 pick in the third round, the Yotes went with defense again, selecting Cam Dineen, 5' 11", 185 from North Bay of the OHL. He was the OHL's second best scorer among defensemen in the playoffs netting eight assists in 11 games.
He is another offensive-minded blueliner telling Coyotes' Dave Vest:
“I’ve always been an offense-first defenseman,” Dineen said. “I think my defensive game is getting better. I really like to move the puck up to the forwards and join the play and create as much offense as I can. I like to be a playmaker and use my vision to make plays. I think I just need to get stronger overall and get some leg strength. I need to work on some skating - quickness and explosiveness. I think that’s the main weakness of my game, but that’s something that’s definitely able to be worked on so I’m going to really go at it this summer.”
Patrick Kudla was selected next
Moving on to the seventh round, pick number 158, Patrick Kudla found himself the next Arizona Coyotes defensive draft selection. At 6' 3", 175 Kudla will be playing for the Arizona State Sun Devils hockey team before starting his professional hockey career.
Coyotes Director of Amateur Scouting Tim Bernhardt described this selection as follows:
“He’s a bit of a late bloomer,” Bernhardt said. “He was a forward right up until two years ago. He was a 5-11 forward and then he just had a real growth spurt and switched position. It’s a steep learning curve for him, but he’s got some real good tools to work with.”
Kudla netted 13 goals with 53 assists in 50 games for Oakville in the Ontario Junior Hockey League last season. His 53 assists and 60 points bested all OJHL defensemen.
Dean Stewart now a Coyote
Rounding out this collection of defensive draft picks was Dean Stewart of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League at selection number 188 in the last round. He plans to attend college hockey at Nebraska-Omaha next season. He is another right-handed shot; can't get too many of them.
All in all, the Coyotes' drafted according to their needs, and if there are any other holes to fill, they will address those in trades, or free agency.
The prospects will have a chance to show off their skills at the annual Coyotes' prospect development camp July 4-8 at Gila River Arena. There will be a intra-squad game held July 8 at 7pm. All practices and the intra-squad game are free to the public.
From the rumor mill
From Mark Easson of mynhlrumors.com:
The Minnesota Wild have spoken to the Coyotes about Martin Hanzal and Christian Dvorak's availability.
With the St. Louis Blues asking for Dylan Larkin when the Detroit Red Wings asked about Kevin Shattenkirk, the Wings turned that down in a second.
If Shattenkirk is that valuable the Blues may demand Max Domi, or Christian Dvorak from the Coyotes in a possible trade senario.