Arizona Coyotes: Young Guns Could Be Next Toews/Kane

By William Grigsby |

Arizona Coyotes Domi/Duclair, Strome/Dvorak Compared To Toews, Kane

When you look at the promise the young guns of the Arizona Coyotes possess, it’s not difficult to compare them to the dynasty duo of Toews and Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks. When Toews and Kane both joined the Blackhawks as 19 year olds, the team had not made the playoffs for four straight seasons. In their first NHL season together the Hawks accumulated only 88 points, finishing three points below the cutoff for a playoff spot.

The similarities can be reflected in the Arizona Coyotes lack of post season participation over the last three seasons. During the ’03-’04 season the Blackhawks had a nightmarish season getting just 59 points, very similar to the Yotes dismal outing last season.

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So, the debate becomes — can four (five if you throw in Perlini, who deserves to be in this comparison) young prospects help bring a team out of the doldrums and into the spotlight of winning games, and playing into the postseason? When you compare their statistics the similarities are evident. Does it mean that Domi, Duclair, Strome, Dvorak, and Perlini will follow Toews and Kane in their steps to becoming dominating forwards, who will carry the Yotes to the Stanley Cup? Not necessarily.

Yet, the skills, speed, and promising future the Arizona Coyotes forwards emulate can keep the thought in your brain, until you realize it’s not reality. NOT YET, anyway.

The only thing holding them back may be their own progress. GM Don Maloney tends to hold back his young prospects, and handles them with the upmost respect, knowing not to rush them into something they may not be able to handle. With that being said, both Toews and Kane were in the NHL at 19. Domi is 20. Duclair turns 20 on July 26th. Strome is 18. Dvorak is 19, as is Perlini.

So, I see Domi and Duclair making the team this season, with Strome, Dvorak, and Perlini going back to the minors. The later three may be called up when needs arise, so the Arizona Coyotes can see what they can do in NHL competition, but GM Don Maloney won’t fill his roster with too many young prospects.

When you compare statistics, it’s not too difficult to see that the young Coyotes prospects could be comparable to the Toews/Kane duo. Throw in Brendan Perlini who was very impressive at the rookie prospect camp, and you add another potential player who can add to the mix. GM Don Maloney must have a huge smile on his face when he thinks of his stockpile of promising prospects at his disposal to build this team into a playoff level squad.

Here’s the best pre-NHL stats for all these players:

Domi: 32-g, 70-a, 102 pts in 57 games – 1.79 pts per game

Duclair: 50-g, 49-a, 99 pts in 59 games – 1.68 pts per game

Strome: 45-g, 84-a, 129 pts in 68 games – 1.90 pts per game

Dvorak: 41-g, 68-a, 109 pts in 66 games – 1.65 pts per game

Perlini: 34-a, 37-a, 71 pts in 58 games – 1.22 pts per game

Kane: 62-g, 83-a, 145 pts in 58 games – 2.5 pts per game

Toews: 18-g, 28-a, 46 pts in 34 games – 1.35 pts per game

In the end, it all boils down to who wants it the most. Domi will be outstanding, as will Duclair. They epitomize the profile of the NHL young star players lately. Speed.. agility… desire to win. Add in Rieder and Boedker and this team will have speed to the hilt. Agility is also there for both Domi and Duclair. If they have desire which drove Toews and Kane… watch out!

Next: Arizona Coyotes: Young Guns On Target At Prospect Camp

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