Arizona Coyotes: An Outlook On The Defense
By Alex Temes
Arizona Coyotes Defensive Prospects
The Coyotes’ defensive depth in the minors looks pretty weak. Altogether, it truly looks like there are only three players who are nearing NHL readiness. Those names are Philip Samuelsson, Dakota Mermis, and Justin Hache.
Based on who has been called up this year and their apparent ratings coming out of this year’s training camp, the best bet is for Samuelsson to break next season’s roster.
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Despite that, Samuelsson has been treated as an 8th defenseman this season due to Stefan Elliott being around early in the season and the current platooning of the bottom four defensemen right now. In fact, Samuelson has only been called up a handful of times this year and has barely gotten any ice time out of those few call ups.
Beyond Samuelsson, Mermis and Hache seem to have potential based on reports from the minors, but neither has been awarded any NHL ice time so I wouldn’t be sold on either cracking the roster within the next 365 days or so, barring a disastrous 2016-2017 campaign.
The final defensive prospect to note is Dysin Mayo, the Arizona Coyotes’ fifth round pick in 2014. He’s spent the season with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL, and looks to be set to join the Springfield Falcons next season.
So really, based on what little looks the organization is giving the defensive youth, you gotta believe improving the defense is going to come from an external source.
Next: Defenseman In Free Agency