Arizona Coyotes draft history: First-round picks

The Coyotes have used the summer to tweak their roster, making changes they hope will help them improve from their second-to-last finish in 2014-15.

While the most immediate help will come via their free-agent additions and trades, the Coyotes certainly enhanced their outlook for the future by adding prospects – including two in the first round – at the NHL draft.

Let's take a look at all of the franchise’s first-round selections.

Related: More Coyotes coverage from Sarah McLellan

2015: Dylan Strome, C, Erie (Ontario Hockey League), No. 3.

Strome was an impressive performer last season, pacing the OHL in points after finishing with 129 – 45 of which were goals – in 68 regular-season games. It’s likely he returns to junior hockey next season to continue to grow (his skating needs work), but his creativity up the middle is exciting.

2015: Nicholas Merkley, RW, Kelowna (Western Hockey League), No. 30.

Merkley had a productive season, leading the Rockets with 90 points (70 assists) in 72 games. The Coyotes had him at No.13 on their draft board, admiring his hockey smarts and competitiveness.

2014: Brendan Perlini, LW, Niagara (Ontario Hockey League), No. 12.

The 19-year-old had another solid junior season, racking up 60 points – 26 goals – in 43 regular-season games. Perlini isn't likely to jump onto the Coyotes roster this season, but look for his size and speed to be important ingredients in the team's future.

Your take: Who gets your vote as the greatest Coyotes first-round draft pick ever?

2013: Max Domi, LW, London (OHL), No. 12.

Domi capped off his junior career with an impressive 102 points in 57 regular-season games last season. He seems ready for the NHL game, and the Coyotes could certainly use his scoring prowess.

2012: Henrik Samuelsson, RW, Edmonton (Western Hockey League), No. 27.

Last season was Samuelsson's first at the pro level; he spent most of his time with the Coyotes' American Hockey League affiliate. Samuelsson did play three games with the Coyotes, and his skating remains a work in progress.

Related: Top 10 prospects for 2015 NHL draft

2011: Connor Murphy, D, U.S. National Development Team Program, No. 20.

Murphy was a regular on the Coyotes blue line last season after winning a spot out of training camp. He'll continue to mature, building on a presence that combines solid defensive awareness with offensive potential.

2010: Brandon Gormley, D, Moncton (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), No. 13.

Gormley has been in the minors for the past three seasons, receiving occasional looks with the Coyotes. Injuries haven't helped his progress, but his consistency needs to improve to help him grab a regular role.

2010: Mark Visentin, G, Niagara (OHL), No. 27.

An ankle injury sidelined Visentin for last season, giving Louis Domingue an opportunity to jump Visentin on the organization's depth chart. Regardless, Visentin is probably still at least another season away from getting a chance at a backup gig in the NHL.

Photos: Arizona Coyotes uniforms through the years

2009: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Leksand (Sweden-2), No. 6.

A franchise and All-Star defenseman, Ekman-Larsson is finally started to get noticed around the league as one of the game's best blue liners after being a steady catalyst for the Coyotes for the last four-plus seasons. In 2014-15, Ekman-Larsson tied Phil Housley's franchise record for most goals in a season for a defenseman with 23.

2008: Mikkel Boedker, RW, Kitchener (OHL), No. 8.

Boedker has slid in nicely to the Coyotes' top-six forward group, combining an accurate wrist shot with impressive acceleration. He scored two overtime goals in the 2012 playoffs, and his production in the regular season has continued to improve.

2008: Viktor Tikhonov, RW, Cherepovets (Russia), No. 28.

Tikhonov played 61 games in his first NHL season, showing flashes of potential, but was plopped into the minors after that to continue his development. He eventually chose to play in Russia and has been there ever since; the Coyotes will hold his NHL rights until July 1.

Look back: Coyotes in Phoenix

2007: Kyle Turris, C, Burnaby (British Columbia Hockey League), No. 3.

Like Tikhonov, Turris debuted in the NHL before taking a step back to grow his game in the minors. Although he showed scoring potential, Turris' relationship with the Coyotes soured before he could hit his stride and he was traded to the Senators in 2011; he has eclipsed 20 goals the past two seasons there.

2007: Nick Ross, D, Regina (WHL), No. 30.

Ross played parts of four seasons with the Coyotes' AHL affiliate but never appeared in the NHL with the organization. He spent last season playing in Austria.

2006: Peter Mueller, C, Everett (WHL), No. 8.

Mueller had an impressive rookie campaign with the Coyotes, scoring 22 goals, but his production tailed off after that and he was traded to the Avalanche in 2010. He had abbreviated stints with the Avalanche and Panthers as he battled injury and most recently played in Europe.

2006: Chris Summers, D, U.S. National Team Development Program, No. 29.

Summers struggled to establish a regular role with the Coyotes, scattering 64 games over parts of five seasons. Last season, he was traded to the Rangers along with defenseman Keith Yandle.

2005: Martin Hanzal, C, Budejovice Jr. (Czech Republic), No. 17.

A mainstay in the Coyotes lineup since his rookie season, Hanzal is nearing the 500-game plateau in the NHL as the team's beefy, shutdown presence up the middle. Injuries have prevented him from playing a full 82-game season but after another recent back surgery, the Coyotes are hopeful Hanzal will able to stay on the ice in the future.

2004: Blake Wheeler, RW, Breck (High School), No. 5.

Wheeler never debuted for the Coyotes, opting for free agency rather than accepting an entry-level contract with the Coyotes. Since then, Wheeler has eclipsed the 20-goal mark three times in stints with the Bruins and Jets.

2002: Jakub Koreis, C, Plzen (Czech Republic), No. 19.

Koreis played two seasons with the Coyotes' AHL affiliate before shifting his career to Europe. He played last season in the Czech Republic.

2002: Ben Eager, LW, Oshawa (OHL), No. 23.

Eager's rights were traded to the Flyers before he played for the Coyotes. He's played for five NHL teams and split last season between the KHL and AHL.

2001: Fredrik Sjostrom, RW, Frolunda (Sweden), No. 11.

Sjostrom never matched his offensive totals from his junior days with the Coyotes, but he was a speedy presence for parts of four seasons. He was traded to the Rangers in 2008 and also played with the Flames and Maple Leafs before retiring.

2000: Krys Kolanos, C, Boston College, No. 19.

Concussions slowed Kolanos' development in the NHL, and he never blossomed into a permanent role with the Coyotes; Kolanos played the last two seasons in the KHL. His most memorable moment as a Coyote was converting a penalty shot on then-Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy, which caused Roy to angrily throw his stick.

1999: Scott Kelman, C, Seattle (WHL), No. 15.

Kelman never suited up for the Coyotes. He bounced among the AHL, East Coast Hockey League, Central Hockey League and British Elite Ice Hockey League after his junior career.

1999: Kirill Safronov, D, St. Petersburg (Russia), No. 19.

Safronov played in only one game with the Coyotes before he was traded to the Thrashers. Since the 2004-05 season, he's played in Europe – primarily in the Kontinental Hockey League.

1998: Patrick DesRochers, G, Sarnia (OHL), No. 14.

DesRochers appeared in nine games for the Coyotes but spent the bulk of his professional career in the AHL. He also has played in Europe.

1996: Dan Focht, D, Tri-City (WHL), No. 11.

Focht played in 18 games for the Coyotes before he was traded during the 2002-03 season to the Penguins. Overall, he appeared in 82 NHL games.

1996: Daniel Briere, C, Drummondville (OMJHL), No. 24.

Briere has had a storied NHL career, much of it elsewhere after a trade from the Coyotes to the Sabres that has been regarded as one of the most regrettable deals in the franchise's history. In more than 970 games, Briere has racked up 307 goals and 696 points with five teams.

1995: Shane Doan, RW, Kamloops (WHL), No. 7.

The longest-tenured member of the franchise at 1,394 regular-season games, Doan has become one of the most iconic players in the team's history. Through 19 seasons, Doan has reached the 20-goal plateau 12 times, is a two-time All Star and has served as the team's captain since 2003.

1993: Mats Lindgren, C, Skelleftea (Sweden), No. 15.

Lindgren never played for the franchise, splitting most of his NHL career between the Oilers and Islanders. Injury led to his retirement.

1992: Sergei Bautin, D, Dynamo Moscow (Russia), No. 17.

Bautin played parts of two seasons with the Jets before getting traded to the Red Wings. He totaled five goals and 30 points in 132 NHL games.

1991: Aaron Ward, D, Michigan, No. 5.

Ward was traded to the Red Wings before he could debut for the Jets. He went on to have a productive career, playing in almost 840 games while winning the Stanley Cup three times.

1990: Keith Tkachuk, LW, Malden Catholic (High School), No. 19.

One of the most successful American-born players, Tkachuk thrived with the Jets and Coyotes – scoring at least 40 goals in a season four times. Although he also played for the Blues and Thrashers, his time with the franchise was certainly memorable and he still ranks in the top five on many of the team's all-time rankings.

1989: Stu Barnes, C, Tri-City (WHL), No. 4.

Barnes topped 1,100 games in the NHL, reaching the 20-goal mark three times. He was with the Jets for parts of three seasons before getting traded; he played for five NHL teams.

1988: Teemu Selanne, RW, Jokerit (Finland), No. 10.

One of the elite scorers in NHL history, Selanne – who retired last year – was well-known with the Ducks (he won a Stanley Cup in 2007). But he set the goal-scoring record for a rookie (76) as a member of the Jets.

1987: Bryan Marchment, D, Belleville (OHL), No. 16.

Marchment played in only 37 games with the Jets before he was traded to the Blackhawks. He also went on to play for the Oilers, Whalers, Lightning, Sharks, Avalanche, Maple Leafs and Flames.

1986: Pat Elynuik, RW, Prince Albert (WHL), No. 8.

Elynuik spent parts of five seasons with the Jets. In four of those seasons, he scored at least 25 goals – twice eclipsing 30.

1985: Ryan Stewart, C, Kamloops (WHL), No. 18.

Stewart dressed for only three games with the Jets. After that, he split time between the WHL, AHL, International Hockey League and British Hockey League.

1983: Andrew McBain, RW, North Bay (OHL), No. 8.

McBain played for the Jets for six consecutive seasons from 1983-89. His best were his final two with the team in which he scored 32 and 37 goals, respectively.

1982: Jim Kyte, D, Cornwall (OHL), No. 12.

Almost 400 of Kyte's nearly 600 NHL games were spent with the Jets. He also had stints with the Penguins, Flames, Senators and Sharks.

1981: Dale Hawerchuk, C, Cornwall (QMJHL), No. 1.

The Hall-of-Famer reached the 100-point plateau six times with the Jets, embarking on a career as one of the franchise's greats. He became the youngest player to rack up 100 points in a season – a record that has since been broken by Sidney Crosby.

1980: Dave Babych, D, Portland (WHL), No. 2.

Babych had a successful 19-season career in the NHL and was an important cog on the Jets blue line for parts of six seasons before being traded. A two-time All-Star, Babych led his team in scoring among defensemen in each of his first 10 seasons in the league.

1979: Jimmy Mann, RW, Sherbrooke (QMJHL), No. 19.

The first entry-draft pick in franchise history, Mann went on to play 293 games in the NHL – 202 of which came with the Jets. Over the span of his career, he fought more than 50 times.