Noah Hanifin to Coyotes In First NHL.com 2015 Draft Mocks
Noah Hanifin: The next defenseman in the desert?
Mike Morreale and Adam Kimelman released their first 2015 Mock Drafts on Monday — and went in a surprising direction with the Arizona Coyotes’ third choice.
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Both writers had Arizona taking defenseman Noah Hanifin, fresh out of his first season at Boston College.
Hanifin is the third ranked North American skater, sitting behind only Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel according to the central scouting mid-term rankings. Hanifin impressed during the World Juniors when he showed his ability to make an impact on both sides of the ice, scoring two points in five games for a United States national team that failed to reach the medal round. Currently, as mentioned earlier, Hanifin plays for Boston College — and has 14 points in 24 games for the Eagles this season.
Just a week ago, he went head to head against Jack Eichel and and the University of Boston — and put up a goal and an assist for BC in their 4-2 win.
Seems like an odd choice for the Coyotes, doesn’t it?
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He may be the best player available at the third overall position — but considering the Coyotes are pretty stacked (and insanely young) on the blueline, it certainly is an interesting proposition.
If the Coyotes do go this route, though, then — assuming the roster has remained unchanged to that point — it immediately makes somebody expendable.
Obviously, rumors persist that a Keith Yandle trade is imminent — but with the selection of Hanifin, that immediately makes guys like Brandon Gormley and Connor Murphy trade bait. One would assume that with both being former first round picks (and both continuing to improve at the NHL level) they would command a pretty nice package for their services.
A trade like that would make a Hanifin selection much easier to swallow, considering they would be passing on the likes of Dylan Strome and Mitch Marner.
In the past — as recently as 2014, in fact — Don Maloney told Bleacher Report that the Coyotes were focused more on best available talent more than need.
“’Because we’re dealing with players who are 17, 18, maybe 19 years old, you go for the best talent,’ said Maloney”
So what exactly does Hanifin bring to the table? Here is what Morreale and Kimelman had to say:
"“The 6-2, 203-pound college freshman is considered the best draft-eligible defenseman. Can carry the puck and make smart decisions in the offensive end, but also is responsible in the defensive zone.” -Adam Kimelman"
Morreale countered with the following:
"“The player many consider the best defenseman in the 2015 draft class fully grasps the idea that excelling in the defensive zone will lead to offensive opportunities. Rarely out of position; is an exceptional skater and distributor of the puck.”- Mike Morreale"
As much as Coyotes fans (and myself) want another electric forward to tag along with Max Domi, Brendan Perlini and Henrik Samuelsson — maybe Hanifin should get some more attention from the Coyotes and their fans, if indeed they can’t land McDavid or Eichel.
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