Arizona Coyotes: Looking Forward V-Lawson Crouse

-Arizona Coyotes need muscle, Crouse could provide that muscle-

There has been few times in the Arizona Coyotes’ history where the team seemed to lack grit; they seemed to always be a hard-nosed physical team. This year seemed different, we had a few fights, we didn’t tally a lot of hits, most of those not really impressive ones either — we have also been lacking in size. If the Arizona Coyotes are searching for skill and speed over size and strength that is understandable, but such players do need protection.

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Crouse might be the most controversial player in the draft lists, some mark him as a top ten player, and a few say he is not worth going for until early in the second round. His numbers are not spectacular, especially when compared to the other players projected to go in the top ten of the draft. He put up 51 points (29g-22a) in 56 games played with the Kingston Frontenacs, but Crouse is just full of untapped potential. Standing at 6’4” and weighing in at 216 lbs, Crouse is extremely well suited when it comes to enforcing your fore-checking presence.

He can dominate the game with his overwhelming presence, yet at the same time create and even finish offensive plays with his good puck handling skills, and accurate shot. He plays great defensively, and when he has the puck — well to put it simply, you are neither going to separate it from him or contain him. His numbers improved on the latter half of his season, going from 0.67 points per game to 1.15. If this trend continues, he is looking at becoming an elite two-way player in the years to come.

The Coyotes with Crouse- Lawson Crouse will most likely not receive many cheers for setting off the goal horn, but he could become the man every offensive player dreads coming his way. Igniting the Arizona Coyotes’ offensive presence will not be the reason we pick him however, he will come to the Valley of the Sun looking for blood. Sure he might not be the player people expect the Coyotes to pick, but he might find his way onto Max Domi’s line, protecting him from much larger players and adding strength and intimidation to his line.

He might also become the Arizona Coyotes main calling card when it comes’ to our penalty-kill, he knows how to play as a defensive forward, and has the size to win board battles and clear the puck out of the zone. Crouse wouldn’t be the answer to the Desert Dogs offensive woes, but it would patch up our defense once more, and give the valley another fan favorite to cheer for.

Next: Arizona Coyotes:Looking Forward V-Ivan Provorov

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