Arizona Coyotes: In Retrospect -- Hanifin Better #3 Pick

Was Selecting Strome As The #3 Pick A Mistake… Perhaps Hanifin Could Have Helped Arizona Coyotes More

Once all the rumors of the Arizona Coyotes not trading their third overall pick in the Entry Draft last month dispersed like an Anthony Duclair rush to the net, it was pretty clear that Dylan Strome was going to be their choice.

Looking back, I think the team made a mistake. They have been drafting forwards like they were on sale at K-mart. Dvorak, Perlini, Domi, Lessio, Martinook, Shinnimin, Karlsson, Strome, Merkley, Dauphin, Fischer, Warren, Looke, Garland to name just 14 or so….

The point I’m making is why not go with a defenseman like Hanifin, who will probably jump right into the NHL this season; as opposed to Strome, who already has been rumored to need more seasoning in the OHL.

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According to Nicholas Goss of NESN.com:

No. 5: Carolina Hurricanes, Noah Hanifin, Defenseman
The Hurricanes got the third-best player in this draft with the fifth pick in a slide that was similar to Seth Jones falling to the Nashville Predators at No. 4 in 2013. Hanifin is an excellent two-way defenseman who can play in every situation. He’s also a high-character kid with enough maturity to play in the NHL next season. Hanifin and Carolina No. 1 defenseman Justin Faulk will make a great duo on the Hurricanes’ blue line for many years.

Gee, a two-way defenseman (unlike a one way… mostly offensive D-man like Yandle) who has high character (not even in the same galaxy as Ribeiro’s wacko world) AND maturity? So, was Strome’s offensive candy too much to resist for GM Maloney & company? Hanifin has a NHL body as well, measuring 6′ 3″, 203 lbs, whereas Strome is the same height and only 180-186 depending on where you look. I think that Maloney and Tippett’s assessment that he needs seasoning has more to do with his game than his size.

When I attended the rookie development camp on July 8th, I was more amazed and excited by other prospects like Domi (excellent agility and puck handling skills), Duclair (flat out deceptive speed, who finishes at the net), Dvorak (all over the puck, or whomever had it, crashes the net with authority), Perlini (my fav to make this team, he has ALL the skills, and if he doesn’t crack the opening game lineup there’s something wrong somewhere) than I was with Strome. He looked a bit lost out there, but did manage to score a goal on an excellent pass at the side of the net.

I’m just yearning for a semblance of the 2011-12 team who scored enough to win games, and mostly defeated opponents with their stellar defense and over-the-top goaltending.

Since the Yotes did not draft Hanifin, the next best thing to do is sign Cody Franson to a multi-year contract, and make this a playoff potential team… PLEASE ! !

I can dream, can’t I?

Next: Why Arizona Coyotes Will Take Noah Hanifin At #3

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