The Arizona Coyotes deep talent pool is developing very nicely. The NHL success of Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, Jordan Martinook and Tobias Rieder is only the tip of the iceberg for the Desert Dogs. The up and coming players in the minors should make any Coyotes fan giddy with anticipation.
The Arizona Coyotes continue to see good development from their young prospects, particularly the ones who are still in junior hockey.
While the Coyotes are taking a break in the NHL for All-Star game week, let’s take a look at the kids that are next up.
Conor Garland
The Moncton Wildcats forward is continuing to light up the QMJHL. Having just eclipsed the century mark in terms of scoring Garland is continuing his torrid pace.
His numbers are so insane that his assist total is equal to the total points of the player in second place. The right winger is the only player averaging more than 2 points a game in the QMJHL this season.
Can’t wait to see Garland paired with the other Arizona Coyotes prospects in the future.
Dylan Strome
Victor Fernandes of the Erie Times named Strome as a member of the Erie Otters‘ 20th Anniversary Team. The 18 year old center came in at number nine on the beat writer’s list.
Fernandes points to Strome’s franchise records for points-in-a-season and assists (129 points and 84 assists, respectively). Strome is on pace to break the 100 point level again this season in what will likely be his last in Erie.
The Arizona Coyotes’ first round selection in the most recent NHL Entry Draft was among the final cuts coming out of training camp last fall. Currently Strome is fifth in the OHL in scoring with 22 goals and 46 assists for 68 points after 33 games.
Christian Dvorak
The London Knights captain is currently second in the OHL in scoring with 37 Goals and 46 assists for 83 points after 36 games played. The 6 foot and 190 lb winger scored 4 goals and had 3 assists while leading the Knights to a 2-1 record last week.
London has a huge game on Friday night as the Erie Otters led by the aforementioned Dylan Strome pay a visit. The Otters lead the Knights by 4 points in the division race.
Nick Merkley
The Kelowna Rockets forward’s game is on an uptick and is back to averaging over a point-a-game on the year. Currently Merkley has 45 points (16 G, 29 A) over 38 games played. Andrew Eide on Sportsnet.ca talks about how Merkley is one of the reasons that the Rockets are a dark horse for the WHL Championship.
"“…..the Rockets seem poised to make another run at winning the WHL championship and a spot in the Memorial Cup this spring. The strength of the Rockets squad is down the middle. Their top three scorers, forwards Tyson Baillie, Dillon Dube and Nick Merkley, are having great seasons—each averaging a point-per-game and driving their team’s conference-leading offence.”"
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Hopefully he will be able to keep it up.
Brendan Perlini
The Niagara Ice Dogs left wing is averaging just under a point a game to this point. Through 33 games Perlini has 28 points on 16 goals and 12 assists.
Perlini’s name is starting to float about as possible trade bait. A Buffalo-centric writer names Perlini, as well as Dvorak, as chips to be used to get Tyler Ennis in Arizona. That is an interesting concept but one that I hope GM Don Maloney does not pursue.
I would much rather keep the home-grown talents that we have and watch them blossom.
Next: Arizona Coyotes Arena Announcement Could Arrive Before End Of Season
The Arizona Coyotes are in a playoff slot at the All-Star break. If they continue to progress we could actually see white-outs in Glendale this spring.
I don’t think anyone would have foreseen that when the season began. It would be great to see.