2015 NHL Mock Draft: Arizona Coyotes Select Daniel Sprong

By William Grigsby |

With The 30th Pick Of The First Round, Arizona Coyotes Choose Daniel Sprong

The Charlottetown Islanders’ QMJHL team has a good one in Sprong. He is 6′ 0″, 180 lbs and shoots right. The Arizona Coyotes could really use another right handed winger, ever since they lost Radim Vrbata to free agency. Sprong can score; he has had 69 goals and 87 assists the last two seasons, and was named to the QMJHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2013-14.

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His favorite NHL player is Patrick Kane (good choice), and his favorite NHL team is the Montreal Canadians.

Here is the ISS scouting report on Sprong:

Daniel Sprong (Charlottetown, QMJHL) – His combination of skills/skating ability/goal scoring would ordinarily make him a 1st round talent. However, his compete level when he doesn’t have the puck on his stick is frequently non-existent.

Granted not the best evaluation, but he also possesses first line offensive tools, including excellent skating, adept stick handling ability in tight, and a heavy shot. Most young players who are forwards are lazy on defense, and once he got into a Dave Tippett system, he wouldn’t continue those bad habits.

What really makes him special on the ice are two uncommon characteristics in young players: his innocent creativity and imagination with the puck, which allows him to create plays in situations where other players would give up on the play.

Secondly, his bullish, macho mentality as a skater, presents an angry-like stride and pushes a relentless tempo up-ice. He could really spark his team-mates almost as much as an enforcer would by fighting when his team is behind. It’s almost like he wills his team to win.

This season, despite playing on a Charlottetown Islanders team that finished 15th among 18 QMJHL teams in goals for, Sprong registered 88 points in 68 games, 13 clear of his nearest teammate — draft eligible forward Filip Chlapik.

Down the stretch, he was arguably the QMJHL’s most dynamic scorer. In 12 games in March, Sprong scored at more than a goal a game and two points per game pace, registering 14g-13a. His excellent production wasn’t short-lived, as Sprong’s season represented a steady progression after an impressive 30-goal rookie campaign.

He could be just what the weak Arizona Coyotes’ offense could use. He probably is a good two years away from the NHL, but still a very valid draft selection. He could be a solid NHL player one day.

Here’s some great highlights of Sprong doing his thing to the tunes of Imagine Dragons “Radioactive” He’d fit right in here since the summer weather is close to radioactivity.. it hit 115 today!

Next: Arizona Coyotes: Looking Forward III - Dylan Strome

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