Arizona Coyotes: Young Guns On Target At Prospect Camp

Arizona Coyotes Young Guns — Domi, Duclair, Dvorak, Perlini Impressive

As I attended the Arizona Coyotes rookie prospect camp with my ten-year old grandson, I was amazed at what I witnessed. The young prospects trying out for the team were downright AWESOME ! Even my grandson, who lives out of the country, and knows little if anything about the NHL, was impressed with their skating speed and prowess on the ice.

After some typical sprints, passing, and zone exiting drills the best part was the scrimmage. Domi was on the white team, along with Perlini. Duclair and Dvorak were on the red team, who won the scrimmage 6-3. Dylan Strome was also on the red team, and he had a goal from a good setup. Strome looked cool and collected, but not that impressive.

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I wanted to watch all the prospects, but found myself focusing on the above four mentioned prospects the most.

Max Domi is special. He showed why he will be on the roster this fall, by displaying spurts of speed and puck handling only reserved for future superstars in the NHL. He literally draws the defense to him, because of his aforementioned speed, at which point, he can deal off the puck to his line-mate, who often times can shoot the biscuit home with his eyes shut. Domi will be a player who will help the defunct offense which was difficult, if not impossible, to watch last season.

On one play Domi crashed towards the net, losing his stick and plunking himself into the goalie and net. Mind you, this was just a scrimmage, but all these young players are fighting for a few spots on the team — and Domi could have just laid back knowing he is pretty well assured of a spot. Nope… instead he crashed the net. His speed is going to amaze all who watch him. He literally has rocket booster speed he uses to his advantage, and he leaves the defender in the desert dust. He’s worth the price of a ticket himself… but there’s more than Domi to get excited about at this camp.

Anthony “Tony D” Duclair showed his speed and puck handling abilities as well. He can be described as sleek, confident, and crafty as he tried numerous times to sneak the puck behind the goalie. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the infamous Domi/Duclair connection, since they were on opposite teams for this scrimmage. Put them together, and then you’ve got something.

I know they’re both lacking NHL experience (actually Duclair was the “senior” guy there having played 18 NHL games with the N.Y. Rangers), but sometimes when you get that magical line connection you’ve got to put it to use. They could very well become the Arizona Coyotes version of Toews/Kane of the Blackhawks Cup Champs. Maybe wishful thinking… but you never know.

Christian Dvorak was pretty active also. He showed net presence and speed to the net, and was able to work the corners well when needed. He put one home as well, and performed to expectations.
The player who really impressed me beyond the Domi/Duclair duo, was Brendan Perlini.

This guy seems to have all the tools of a promising NHL player. He was all over the puck, and all over the puck carrier. He seemed to be drawn to the puck like a magnet, and when I kept seeing number nine around the action constantly, I knew it was because he was making things happen, not waiting for it to just come to him. He is an exceptional two-way player, and will be a Tippett model type of performer, whom the coach can say to other prospects,

“See how Perlini back checks, and pressures the puck? That’s what I want you to do.”

Speaking of Coach Tippett, he was on the ice for this camp, and I think he was able to witness for himself the speed and ability his young players exhibited. He was boosting about it at the town hall meeting on Tuesday, and seems optimistic on the prospect of his prospects going forward.

It was good to see some hockey, and it’s getting me pumped up for the new season to see what kind of team we have here in the desert. Sure, it’s only July, but September is coming, and training camp will be here before we know it. With the young guns we have, be ready for some entertaining hockey action.

Next: Arizona Coyotes: Drive To Make The Playoffs

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