Arizona Coyotes Centers: Searching For That True First Line Player

Watching Jack Eichel play in Glendale, AZ last night brought up how needy the Vegas Golden Knights were at the center position. They now have a number-one center to go along with such talented guys as Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault. The past Arizona Coyotes centers have attempted to fill that void, but they have failed thus far. They are hopeful with this year’s NHL draft to change that. IF they can manage to be fortunate enough to draft either Shane Wright this year or Conor Bedard next year, things could change.

The Coyotes Have Not Had a True First Line Center Since Jeremy Roenick

They thought they had one in Daniel Briere, but traded him in 2003. He went on to score 290 points in his next 290 games. Then in 2007, they drafted Kyle Turris third overall in hopes he could fill the role. That didn’t work out when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for a second-round pick in 2012. Turris had just 19 goals, 27 assists in 137 games with the Coyotes.

The most realistic shot the team had to get a number-one center came in 2015. And, it appeared that they had a legitimate chance at the first overall selection with 13.5 percent odds. Yet, the curse of the draft hit them. What was at stake? None other than Connor McDavid, who has become the best player on the planet. The Edmonton Oilers jumped from the third-best odds at 11.5 percent to leapfrog over the Coyotes and the Buffalo Sabres who had the best odds with 20 percent.

The end result was McDavid to Edmonton, Eichel to Buffalo and Dylan Strome to Arizona. Most avid NHL fans know which two teams got the better of that draft, and it was one with a desert climate.

Past Arizona Coyotes Centers

Over the years, the Coyotes haven’t had a true superstar play at the center position. They’ve had Daymond Langkow (316 games, 79-G, 117-A) four times. Martin Hanzal (608 games, 117-G, 196-A) six times. Steve Reinprecht (231 games, 51-G, 92-A) four times. Antoine Vermette (291 games, 70-G, 79-A) four times. More recently, they’ve had Christian Dvorak (302 games, 67-G, 79-A) four times, and Derek Stepan (224 games, 39-G, 80-A) three times.

None of the above-mentioned centers had the firepower or offensive talents to lead the Coyotes to a lofty position or compete for a Stanley Cup. Ever since 2010, the NHL teams which have won it all had a top center or two to carry the team to a championship. From David Krejci, Jonathan Toews, Anze Kopitar, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Ryan O’Reilly, and to Steven Stamkos… it was the key to victory.

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The Coyotes GM Is Doing It Right

What do all these star centers who have won the Cup have in common? They were all drafted by the teams who hoisted the Cup. Arizona Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong is very aware of that. That is why he is putting the franchise through a tough rebuild. His intention is to foster some young talent he can use to build a winner. It’s painful, but if done correctly the dividends will be fruitful.

If the Vegas Golden Knights win it all this season, it will be the first team since 2010 who have done it by acquiring a number-one center via a trade. While that is certainly possible, a center by the name of Nathan MacKinnon who was selected first in the 2013 draft by the Colorado Avalanche, may have some input into that.

Armstrong’s moves have generated a treasure chest full of draft picks. While all of them may not pan out, some will; and that should enrich the Coyotes’ chances of becoming a winning franchise.

Build from within… it has proven to be a winning formula.