1. Dylan Strome, F
How acquired: Selected with No. 3 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Arizona: 21 GP, 4-5-9; Tucson (AHL): 50 GP, 22-31-53
Strome was the leading scorer for Tucson in the American Hockey League in his first full professional season. The 21-year-old was recalled by Arizona on March 20 and had eight points (three goals, five assists) in the final 10 games of the NHL season.
Expectations have been high since Strome was picked after Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (No. 1) and Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (No. 2) in the 2015 draft. Arizona general manager John Chayka said Strome is still a can't-miss prospect because of his production last season, his size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds), and his age. The Coyotes want to see him have a strong training camp so he can start the season in a top-nine role, even if it's on the wing.
Projected NHL arrival: This season
2. Barrett Hayton, F
How acquired: Selected with No. 5 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
Last season: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): 63 GP, 21-39-60
Hayton is a 200-foot center with high character, a high IQ (he won the Bobby Smith Trophy as the 2018 Ontario Hockey League Scholastic Player of the Year) and leadership ability. The 18-year-old said he tries to pattern his game after Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron and Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews because of their two-way play and leadership.
The Coyotes didn't rule out Hayton (6-foot-1, 190) making the NHL this season. If he doesn't, or if he does and is eventually returned to his junior team, Sault Ste. Marie plans to use Hayton in a leadership role and projects him to score 90-100 points.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season
3. Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D
How acquired: Selected with No. 23 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
Last season: Charlottetown (QMJHL): 63 GP, 13-33-46
The Charlottetown captain was tied for sixth among defensemen in the QMJHL in goals and was 15th in points. Chayka said the 19-year-old is "just scratching the surface still." The Coyotes project him to be a defenseman who can play against anybody and in any situation.
Joseph (6-foot-2, 168) needs to mature physically but projects to eventually be a big part of the Coyotes defensemen. It will be tough for him to make it this season because of their depth.
Projected NHL arrival: 2020-21 season
4. Adin Hill, G
How acquired: Selected with No. 76 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Arizona: 4 GP, 1-3-0, 3.49 GAA, .891 SV%; Tucson (AHL): 36 GP, 19-11-4, 2.28 GAA, .914 SV%
Hill, 22, got his first NHL win making 34 saves against the Los Angeles Kings on March 13. He allowed 11 goals in three NHL starts from Oct. 17-26.
The Coyotes view Hill (6-foot-6, 202) as their No. 1 goalie of the future. Arizona has time to let him develop in Tucson because their top two goalies, Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper, are signed for multiple seasons.
Projected NHL arrival: 2020-21 season
5. Filip Westerlund, D
How acquired: Selected with No. 44 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
Last season: Frolunda (SHL): 22 GP, 0-2-2
The 19-year-old will return to Frolunda, where last season he occasionally paired with Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Westerlund (5-foot-11, 181) could play for Sweden at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Coyotes like his skill and how he has grown physically.
Projected NHL arrival: 2020-21 season
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