Arizona Coyotes: Six Questions After Rough Start In Desert

Which rookie has been the most impressive through the first five games? Which rookie has done the least to earn a full-time job?

Alex Temes:

Without a doubt, Jakob Chychrun has been the most impressive rookie on this young roster.

Obviously, winning games is important and all of the rookies were given a roster spot in hope of helping the team back to the playoffs, but Chychrun has been a fantastic bright spot in an outright abysmal start to the season.

In terms of least impressive, I’d go with Dylan Strome.

He was supposed to be a stud with huge offensive upsides, but in the few games he’s been in, I hadn’t even noticed his play until the commentators called his name out.

Jonathan King:

Jakob Chychrun has been the most impressive, by far.

In fact, he’s playing at a high level and has been more consistent than many of the team’s other blue-liners.

Competition breeds results, and Chychrun is playing for his season, knowing he could well be sent back to juniors. This kid is on fire in each game, and his desire and commitment shows. He’s winning the hearts and minds of Coyotes fans everywhere.

I can’t put my finger on which rookie has been the least impressive, as several are playing at a similarly bland level. I think it’s too early to say one way or another which rookies are keepers and which ones should be tossed back. Strome and Dvorak have shown glimpses.

I’d like to see bigger steps forward.

Jason Harrison:

I’m not intentionally trying to make this unanimous, but the most impressive rookie is Jakob Chychrun.

And it’s not even close.

He’s a joy to watch in the offensive zone and he’s made a few plays defensively. He’s also had a few he’d like to have back…but then so has pretty much every member of the Arizona Coyotes’ defensive corps these first five games.

As for least impressive, fans are quick to dog pile on Dylan Strome for his lack of production, but the obvious candidate here is Lawson Crouse.

He’s received very little ice time from Dave Tippett until Sunday night’s game versus the Rangers. Crouse has also had exactly one memorable moment – a penalty kill with Laurent Dauphin – up until that point.

He did play better against the Rangers, but I expect more from a guy playing a mostly defensive role with his size and pedigree.

I can’t see any way he stays on the roster all season at this rate.