If one were to take a poll asking which Coyotes' roster addition will be most important this coming season, the overwhelming majority would probably choose Phil Kessel, the six-time 30-goal scorer acquired via trade this summer.

But the correct answer just might end up being Barrett Hayton, the club's first-round pick (fifth overall) in 2018.

Kessel should undoubtedly help a Coyotes team which was woefully poor in offense last season, a chief reason they finished just four points out of a playoff spot. But when you factor in the respective acquisition costs for Kessel and Hayton, the Coyotes are far more likely to see a higher net profit from the latter.

The Coyotes had to part ways with both a high-level prospects in Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Alex Galchenyuk, who had 19 goals last season, to acquire Kessel, who had 27 goals.

Strictly in terms of goal-scoring, Kessel figures to be an upgrade over Galchenyuk. But in assessing Kessel's value, one must also factor in the absence of Galchenyuk's production.

Hayton, however, is simply an addition.

If Kessel scores 25 with the Coyotes this season where Galchenyuk would have been reasonably expected to score 20 in the same position, that is only five more goals of value. Conversely, anything that Hayton produces could be considered positive value.

The Coyotes gave up nothing — other than an organic draft pick — to acquire Hayton. Granted the 19-year-old is less of a sure thing than Kessel, but Hayton still might end up providing more value since the Coyotes A.) won't be paying him much, and B.) didn't subtract a valuable skater in order to play him.

"I feel incredible and I have a ton of confidence right now," said Hayton, who chose to spend time in Arizona this summer skating with Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz and others. "I think being around the pro atmosphere is huge. Confidence comes with the work you put in and, with the summer I had, it just gives you added confidence."

All this discussion may seem premature since Hayton isn't necessarily a lock to make the opening night roster — but with seemingly two forward spots up for grabs, Hayton has a very good shot.

The biggest argument for Hayton making the team is the unattractiveness of the alternative. Since he is still 19, Hayton is beholden to the infamous CHL-NHL agreement that prohibits players under 20 from playing in the American Hockey League (AHL) if they are not playing for their juniors team.

Essentially, Hayton either plays in the NHL or he goes back to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, the club he's played for since 2016. But after serving as captain last season and putting up almost two points per game, what's left there for Hayton to learn playing amateur hockey?

"I think it's been a big summer for Barrett," Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka said. "I think every day he's applied himself toward getting better. Process-wise, he's done a nice job and now it's about going out and earning it. It'll be a long camp for him but I hope he does a good job with it.

"We've got a lot of good NHL players on the roster and for somebody else to make it is going to take knocking someone else off. That's a good position to be in."

It's likely best for Hayton's development for him to make the jump to the NHL this season. Corey Pronman of The Athletic ranked him as the Coyotes' best prospect and termed him a "potential ... top-line center."

Still, that doesn't mean we'd expect more production out of Hayton, who has never played an NHL game, than Kessel, who has not missed an NHL game in nine seasons.

Hayton — who, by the way, is now wearing the No. 29 — is a wild card. He could come in and play center or on the wing. He could get top-six minutes or bottom-six minutes. He could get time on the power play or penalty kill. Or he could not be on the roster at all.

But the potential is soaring with Hayton. We can reasonably expect an increase in team goals thanks to Kessel, but Hayton's skill set could have a much more profound impact on the Coyotes' 2019-20 season.

Richard Morin covers the Coyotes and Diamondbacks for azcentral sports. He can be reached at rmorin@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @ramorin_azc.

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Episode 2 — Beyond the Gridiron: The Mountain