Too many misses to get a higher grade than C. Between 2006 and 2010 the Coyotes had 9 first rounders, two in each year except 2009, and they could've done better.
2006 they took Petr Mueller 8th. He had real star potential but the relationship with the team soured and he was unfortunate to suffer a few head injuries. He was a good pick, you can't predict strained relationships and concussions. Chris Summers may just turn in to an NHL defenseman, taken behind Mueller at 29th, but so far for that draft they have no NHLers on their roster to show.
2007 They took Kyle Turris, who could turn in to the player we all expect. He has very good numbers in the AHL, but for whatever reason he hasn't found his game at the NHL level, much of which can be attirbuted to Phoenix style of play I'm sure. That year they also took Nick Ross at 30th.
2008s Mikael Boedker is finally looking like a stud, after being rushed to the NHL he's back in the AHL putting up great numbers. Taken at 28th that year Viktor Tikhonov has been back to the KHL and isn't likely looking like a big leaguer.
2009 and 2010 were great drafts. Oliver Ekman Larson (2009) is already fitting in with the big club, 7 assists in 27 games as a rookie, and Brandon Gormley taken last year is having a dynamite year in junior. Also taken last year Mark Visentin and Louis Domingue could be NHL puck stops.
Before that the Yotes did manage to dig up Keith Yandle in the fourth round, Daniel Winnik in the 9th, and Benn Ferriero in the late rounds.
C is a fair grade.
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