Sarah McLellan

azcentral sports

The Coyotes’ prospect pool is brimming with skill, speed and smarts – a collection of young talent that embodies the up-tempo style that is sweeping the NHL.

Team brass, however, felt the group could use one more ingredient to go along with the creative playmakers and savvy scorers.

A power forward.

Cue Lawson Crouse – a lanky, strong, physical winger with an offensive touch who was acquired in a trade with the Panthers Aug. 25. The Coyotes also received the injured Dave Bolland in exchange for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2017 and a conditional second-round pick in 2018.

“We’ve got a lot of key pieces,” General Manager John Chayka said. “But when you took a look at the broader picture if there was one guy in the (Canadian Hockey League) that might have improved our group in terms of what we really needed, this is a guy we felt did that.”

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Drafted 11th overall only a year ago, Crouse was certainly surprised by the trade.

He had yet to debut for the Panthers, reporting back to junior last season, but excitement has settled in as he prepares to impress the Coyotes.

“The goal is to do whatever I can to make Arizona as fast as I can,” Crouse said. “For me, I just have to go in there and play my game and show what I’m all about.”

It makes sense why Crouse’s skill set is appealing.

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he has the size and strength to create space on the ice and post up in front of the net – abilities that no doubt help produce offense.

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Last season, Crouse scored 23 goals and recorded a career-high 62 points in 49 regular-season games with Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League before chipping in another 11 points in nine playoff games. In five appearances with the Canadian World Junior team (he also starred alongside wingers Max Domi and Anthony Duclair at the 2015 tournament), he tallied two goals and three assists.

“I think he’ll be not only a favorite of the coaching staff for a long time, but he’ll be a fan favorite here for a long time as well,” Chayka said.

Crouse also possesses the attributes that don’t always land on a score sheet but tend to be invaluable to winning: a 200-foot awareness, the ability to make a difference on the forecheck and a we-before-me attitude.

This approach has helped earn him the nickname "The Sheriff."

“It kind of goes along with the way I play,” Crouse explained. “I’m a very unselfish guy. I’ll put the team ahead of myself anytime I’m on the ice and anytime I’m doing anything around the team.”

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Since Crouse is joining an already lengthy list of up-and-comers vying for a roster spot with the Coyotes, it isn’t a given he’ll play in the NHL this season.

If the 19-year-old isn’t able to secure a job, he’ll return to junior.

Centers Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak and winger Brendan Perlini are among the prospects set to contend for jobs; Domi and Jordan Martinook are returning left wingers with Jamie McGinn added via free agency. Tobias Rieder is another left winger, but the restricted free agent has yet to sign.

Despite a crowded depth chart, Crouse is eager to prove he belongs.

“I’m mentally and physically ready,” he said. “Last year I got sent back and had to develop a little bit more. But I think that I’m ready now, and I’m ready to make the next step. I’m not looking that far ahead. I’m just looking at coming into Arizona and having a good training camp and building off that each day that I’m there.”

Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.