It is well known that the Arizona Coyotes 2022 draft will be plentiful with seven picks in the first two rounds covering the first 45 picks. What is unknown is what general manager Bill Armstrong and his adept scouting staff intend to do with those selections. It is a given that the Yotes will take whoever is left over after the Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils make their choices known. That could more than likely be Logan Cooley if the Habs take Shane Wright and the Devils choose Juraj Slafkovsky as predicted.
But Then…
Today on Elliotte Friedman’s 32 thoughts came this bit of news:
3. Arizona: first, it was great to see Clayton Keller skating at the team facility. That was one fearsome injury. The Coyotes have three first-rounders (Nos. 3, 27, and 32) and the word is they are prepared to use “all available options” to get another high pick. (This isn’t specific to Arizona, but one of the biggest wild-cards in this draft is Finnish player Brad Lambert, and a team with multiple picks is the best bet to take him. The Coyotes certainly qualify). When it comes to Jakob Chychrun, things fluctuate. It gets hot, it goes cold, it gets hot, it gets cold. But this is the time of year when things tend to get hot.
So, who is Brad Lambert, and what would the Arizona club need to do to get to the middle of the first round to select him? First of all, the Vancouver Canucks own the 15th overall selection and the Buffalo Sabres have the 16th pick. What may be key here is the Sabres have the #9 and the # 28 picks in the first round.
I Smell a Draft Day Trade
In the Coyotes’ 2022 draft they have the 34th and 36th pick in the early second round. Would the Sabres be interested in moving down to the second round by trading their #16 pick to Yotes?
That would give Buffalo two first-rounders, and three early second-rounders since they have the 41st pick currently.
The other scenario could be that the Canucks may be interested in moving down by trading their #15 for the Coyotes’ #27 and #32. This would also perhaps allow the Coyotes the chance to draft the Finnish forward Lambert.
Who is Brad Lambert?
According to eliteprospects.com, “He’s a dynamic offensive threat, combining high-end skating with excellent handling and dual-threat capabilities, EPRinkside.com 2021.” He is a right-hand shooting center/right-wing. He stands 6′-0″, 183 pounds and will turn 19 in December. If the Coyotes are willing to move some of their draft picks to move higher in the first round, it means they have definite interest in Lambert.
With the Coyotes’ rebuild going strong, adding players in the draft is key to them moving forward in the years to come. It seems that the Coyotes scouting staff has scouted Lambert enough to know they have him on their ‘wish’ list.
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If Logan Cooley Gets Drafted The Coyotes Forward Lines Will Improve
It appears that if Logan Cooley is drafted by the Arizona club, they could add two key players without giving up too much in return. That was Armstrong’s strategy by acquiring so many draft picks. He knew those assets could be coveted by other NHL teams. Cooley will be attending the University of Minnesota this fall but could get to the NHL quickly as Clayton Keller did. The key here is making certain that he is ready. The same goes for Lambert if he is drafted in the first round with a pick acquired by Arizona.
Look For Other Coyotes 2022 Draft Moves This Week From Armstrong
The team also needs another goalie with only Karel Vejmelka as the starter set in place. There are some options out there such as Alexandar Georgiev. He is a restricted free agent and could be a good partner for Vejmelka. He had a 58-48-11 record with a 2.94 goals-against-average and a .908 save percentage with the New York Rangers.
As the week progresses watch to see what Armstrong does. So far, there hasn’t been any activity. Like what will he do with Lawson Crouse or Barrett Hayton? They both need new contracts, and on July 13th free agency starts. It must be like a chess match in Armstrong’s office deciding which moves to make to improve his club.
One thing is certain… the Coyotes will be an improved, younger team by the middle of the month. Bill Armstrong will not rest until his work is done.
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