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Arizona Coyotes Have A Lot of Options With Their 20th Overall Pick

By Alex Temes

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brendan Perlini smiles as he puts on a team sweater after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brendan Perlini smiles as he puts on a team sweater after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) makes a pass during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) makes a pass during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Organizationally, the Arizona Coyotes have very little depth at defenseman. But that could all change after this draft, with Arizona in position to nab quality defensive prospects in the first and second round.

If Arizona doesn’t trade away the 7th overall pick, they are likely to use it on a defenseman, unless players like Alexander Nylander or Matthew Tkachuk are somehow still available.

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But the Coyotes may also be looking to begin restocking their future defenseman by grabbing a d-man with the 20th pick. Most draft boards have Arizona taking a defenseman and here are two defenseman to think about as Arizona’s 20th pick nears on draft day:

Dante Fabbro is a 6 foot tall, 180-some pound defenseman out of the BCHL.

Fabro is compared to Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook in that he is incredibly efficient and highly accountable. One Hockey News report relayed that “one NHL evaluator even told me that Fabbro is “basically like an NHL player already,” thanks to the way he processes the game and gets pucks through”.

He has incredible defensive vision and checks hard. For more see his highlight reel here:

Charles McAvoy Jr has basically the same build as Fabro. McAvoy worked his magic for the US National Development Program and at Boston University, notching 25 points with the Terriers over 37 games.

Mike Morreale of NHL.com commented on McCoy’s play, saying “the 6-foot, 208-pound right-shot defender already plays a pro-style game. He might not be flashy but consistently has been steady as a freshman playing a top-four role at Boston University.” McAvoy is known in his NCAA play as being a confident puck-carrier with the ability to use his speed when he needs it.

For more proof, watch McAvoy’s highlights below:

Other defenseman noted to be around but not necessarily worthy of the 20th pick include Samuel Girard out of the QMJHL’s Shawinigan, Markus Niemeläinen out of the OHL’s Saginaw and Logan Stanley out of the OHL’s Windsor.

Next: Goaltending Options At 20th Overall

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