Arizona Coyotes Struck Gold With Perlini

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brendan Perlini poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Perlini could become the work horse of the Arizona Coyotes.

In the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the Arizona Coyotes had the 12th overall pick, a consolation prize for missing the playoffs by a few games. With the pick, Don Maloney announced the new addition to the pack, the 6’ 2” English-born left-wing, Brendan Perlini.

Many Coyotes fans seem to forget about him, with exciting prospects such as Max Domi and Anthony Duclair, it is certainly understandable.

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It doesn’t help that we have yet to see him suit up in a NHL sweater, except for a brief glimse; Max Domi had a great preseason showing this year. At the same time, Anthony Duclair has proven his speed can carry over to the NHL level.

Brendan seemed to have an unlucky break, no pun attended; he played great in the rookie game against LA, and completely killed it during the rookie camp. This earned him an invite to the Coyotes main training camp, and it was here that Perlini hit a spot of bad luck.

During the camp, he broke his hand, shattering his hopes at cracking the Coyotes roster for the 2015 season. This didn’t deter Perlini however. Even after breaking his hand, he continued to ask the Arizona Coyotes’ team Development Coach Steve Sullivan what he could have done to stay as an 18-year-old.

"“He isn’t overconfident, but he believes in himself and that is great. Even when we sent him down with a broken hand he was wondering what else he could’ve done to stay as an 18-year-old and I had to tell him he had a broken hand and that he really didn’t get an opportunity to play with us because of it and to go back and do what he was doing (in the OHL). He really wants to play (in the NHL). That’s his dream and goal, and he will put the work in to make that happen. He believes in himself, knows he has the ability and wants the opportunity to make the next step.” –Steve Sullivan (Arizona Coyotes Development Coach)"

When he came back from injury, he came back with a vengeance: his OHL team, the Niagara IceDogs, were 2-13 before he returned to the lineup. His homecoming resulted in an amazing turn around, scoring 26 goals in 43 games, carrying his team to the playoffs where he put up 11 points in 12 games.

Brendan quite possibly has the hardest shot on Arizona’s roster, and I mean compared to both the prospects and players currently on the roster. As strong as Perlini is, he also has wheels to match, Max Domi and Anthony Duclair being the only prospects who could give Perlini a run for his money. Throw that speed, size, strength, and sizzling shot together; you have a player the Coyotes have not seen, in a long time.

A player, that looking forward might become a franchise player in the years to come. Brendan, like Domi, should be kept off the trading table, unless someone offers Maloney their first-born and a maybe a pick as well.. oh AND a helicopter.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Re-Draft Opportunities Part 1

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