Up until the past seven games, the Coyotes had exceeded most external expectations. They were as close to a playoff spot as they were to the NHL basement. Their middle core was showing further signs of progress. Goaltender Karel Vejmelka was among the league leaders in goals saved above expected. They were beating elite teams and they were winning with…
I’m making a New Year’s resolution for 2023. I’m not going to freak you out over the possibility of the Coyotes not landing Conor Bedard, Adam Fantilli or Leo Carlsson in the upcoming NHL Draft. The odds of the Blackhawks (18.5 percent), Blue Jackets (13.5 percent), Ducks (11.5 percent) or Canadiens (11 percent because they own Florida’s pick as well as their own) are not so appreciably better than the teams outside the top spots that you would call them a lock. Seriously, the Blackhawks have less than a 1-in-5 chance of landing Bedard. The team with the worst record has won the lottery just four times in the past 12 seasons while a team outside the top three has…
The Coyotes won't be alone in their pursuit of top 2023 draft pick Connor Bedard. I reached out to media members in 10 other NHL cities to get their thoughts on the candidacy of the teams that they follow.
Without a top-two selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, it's time for the experienced Arizona Coyotes' scouting staff to earn its money by finding impact players in non-traditional draft slots.
With Coyotes fans focused on the NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday, here's something to remember: Winning the No. 1 overall pick isn't as important as you think.