Arizona Coyotes: What To Expect From Strome And Dvorak
With the offseason departures of Boyd Gordon and Antoine Vermette, the Arizona Coyotes will be depending on rookies Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak to fill the void at center. Are they up to the task?
Arizona Coyotes fans have a lot to look forward to right now.
After a forgettable season in 2014-15, young blood and a new look breathed life into the team last season to the tune of a 22-point improvement in the standings.
On top of that, the team boasts one of the most talented prospect pools in the league, and at least two more appear ready to make the jump. Dylan Strome, the third overall pick in the 2015 draft, and Christian Dvorak, a second round pick from 2014, appear set to center two of the top three lines for the Coyotes next season.
But what can we expect from them?
As hard as it may be, we shouldn’t expect too much.
As Coyotes fans, we were spoiled last season by stellar rookie performances from Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. The Killer D’s performed above and beyond expectations, each scoring over half a point per game with no lengthy slumps.
And while Strome and Dvorak have proven that they have all the tools necessary to perform at the NHL level, it is unfair to set any expectations for them in terms of points, face-off percentage, or any other statistic.
More from Coyotes News
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
At just 19 and 20 years old, respectively, Strome and Dvorak need to focus, above all else, on adjusting to and learning the NHL game. This could mean lower offensive output than one might expect from two of the most highly-touted prospects in the league.
And that is okay.
This is, after all, only the second year of a rebuild since the team hit rock bottom in 2014-15.
There is every reason to believe that both players will become excellent NHL centers, but for now, Coyotes fans must have patience and buy into the process.
It takes time to build a winner, and you have to build the right way. Just ask the Edmonton Oilers.
All young players make mistakes, and this year’s Arizona Coyotes will be very young.
With the mistakes, however, come speed, energy, and passion.
Next: Ownership Building Confidence In Hockey In The Desert
Combine that with steady leadership from the likes of Captain Shane Doan and Head Coach Dave Tippett, and the Arizona Coyotes will be one of the most exciting teams to watch this season.
Only 23 days until training camp.