Fansided

5 offseason moves the Coyotes need to execute

By Nick McAdam

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 22: Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during the NHL game against the New York Islanders at Gila River Arena on January 22, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 22: Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during the NHL game against the New York Islanders at Gila River Arena on January 22, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 04: London Knights Defenceman Evan Bouchard (2) skates with the puck during Ontario Hockey League action between the London Knights and Ottawa 67’s on March 4, 2018, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 04: London Knights Defenceman Evan Bouchard (2) skates with the puck during Ontario Hockey League action between the London Knights and Ottawa 67’s on March 4, 2018, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Stay put in the draft

There’s expected to be a lot of movement in the opening day of the draft cycle with the New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings already talking about trading their picks. Arizona, however, should not follow that trend.

The top four picks of the draft look to be very settled. Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov, Brady Tkachuk and Filip Zadina look to be the four prospects towards the top, but maybe not in that particular order.

Arizona sits right outside of that bubble with defensemen occupying half of the top 10 picks of the draft. Off the mind, Evan Bouchard is a great name and prospect that the Coyotes should consider using their opening pick on. The boy is a leader with the London Knights that can play within all scenarios.

Picking Bouchard could do wonders to finally finishing the rebuild of the defense core. Who knows, maybe the 18-year-old can step right into the lineup next season. It also could make up for the fact that Arizona is picking later in the second round as a result from a trade with the Minnesota Wild.

To follow up the serious talent that Bouchard contains along the blueline, the Coyotes should try to snag a keeper in the draft, as well. There’s projected to be three very decent goalies to go in the second round of the cycle, and Arizona should try and take advantage of that.

The Yotes have the time to develop a young netminder for the future. They may not contend for another couple of years, which is still a good portion of time to get the youth ready for pro action.

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