Why The Arizona Coyotes Should Choose Dylan Strome With The Third Overall Pick

I recently caught an OHL playoff game featuring the Erie Otters and was able to see Dylan Strome up close. He did impress me enough to suggest that the Arizona Coyotes would be doing well to draft him with their third overall draft selection this June.

I know.. what about Noah Hannifin who is projected by some experts to be the third selection?

Well, to put it succinctly, the Coyotes have a good amount of depth in the defenseman they have now, and in their minor league ranks as well.

I mean we have: Oliver Ekman-Larsson alongside Michael Stone. Connor Murphy with John Moore. Klas Dahlbeck with Andrew Campbell. That’s for starters. We also still have Philip Samuelsson (whom I am very high on) and Brandon Gormley as well for backups.

So, the point becomes that the team needs some additional help on the offensive side. With prospects like Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, and possibly Christian Dvorek having a decent shot at making the team, another young prospect who can score wouldn’t hurt.

I realize that General Manager Don Maloney likes to bring his young prospects along slowly, but unless he and perhaps Head Coach Tippett want to go through another painful season, they may take a chance or two… or three.

Look at what other teams have done with their young players. For instance, “Johnny Hockey” John Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames. I know he’s turning 22 in August, but the Flames saw talent, and reeked the rewards with his 24 G, 40 A, 64 Pts, 8 PPG, 4 GW, SH% 14.4%.

Don’t all you Arizona Coyotes fans wish we had a young player with those numbers? Of course… and GM Don Maloney should also recognize that not all young players develop at the same pace, BUT if they do develop quickly… like say a Max Domi, you have GOT to take advantage of it!

According to Devin Slawson of thehockeywriters.com, Noah Hannifin deserves to be the third overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft this June. He may deserve to be just that, but each team will draft according to their own needs. In the Arizona Coyotes case, they need both offense and defense to help get them back in the thick of NHL competition, and make the playoffs this coming season.

Here’s what Craig Button of TSN.ca has to say about Strome:

“A smart, good skating, center who can not only make plays but can finish them also. Reads the play so very well and he gets himself into positions where he can take advantage and be a threat. He’s multi-dimensional in that he can play two-ways, can play a skill game, can play a ‘heavy’ game but regardless of the situations he plays a game where he contributes in some way, some fashion.”

You be the judge: CLICK HERE

I would be okay with the Arizona Coyotes selecting Hannifin, it would awesome having both OEL and him on the blue-line. I just feel that to win more games right now we need OFFENSE, and that is Dylan’s Strome strong suit.

The other possibility is the other teams below the Coyotes in the draft order may want to get Strome, or Hannifin for more experienced players in a trade. I know GM Don Maloney will listen to all reasonable offers, and choose the best option for the organization.

So, what’s your choice fans?

Improve our defense with Noah Hannifin OR improve our offense with Dylan Strome… tough choice, but one other teams covet. In about a month we will all know the results. All I know is our team will be better with either young hockey player. Can’t wait for training camp to begin !