The Arizona Coyotes have a handful of first-round picks at their disposal in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft beginning Thursday at 4 p.m.
Entering the first round, the Coyotes hold picks No. 3, 27 (via the Carolina Hurricanes) and 32 (via the Colorado Avalanche).
What they do with those picks remains to be seen.
With mock drafts surfacing as we’ve made it to draft day, experts have the Coyotes taking a couple different options with their three first-round picks.
No. 3 overall pick
NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale: Logan Cooley
Kimelman: Cooley (5-10, 174) is an elite skater with high-end offensive skills and a strong work ethic. He’ll play at least one season at the University of Minnesota but is confident that’s all he’ll need before becoming an impact NHL player.
Morreale: A scoring threat every time he steps on the ice, Cooley’s top-end speed is off the charts and he has the ability to quickly process and execute on plays. He was second on the USA Hockey National Team Development Program with 75 points (27 goals, 48 assists) in 51 games.
theScore’s Josh Wegman and Nick Faris: Logan Cooley
Cooley is no consolation prize: Some observers cite his niftiness with the puck to argue he’s worthy of the No. 1 pick. Arizona needs a dynamic talent like him, though he’s bound for the University of Minnesota first.
Bleacher Report’s Lyle Richardson: Logan Cooley
Cooley finished second this season among U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP) scorers with 75 points. The 5’10”, 180-pound Cooley should be a solid addition to the rebuilding Coyotes, given their need to shore up their prospect depth at center.
Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino: Cutter Gauthier
The first curve ball of the draft is thrown by GM Bill Armstrong and his propensity for size (Gauthier is 6-foot-2, 189 pounds). If playing center works for Gauthier at Boston College, this pick will not look out of place.
No. 27 overall pick
NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman: Ty Nelson
Nelson’s skating is outstanding going forward or backward. He can skate pucks out of his zone and lead the rush, and his ability to track back and keep a tight gap allows him to break up plays before they become dangerous and trigger transition offense. A right-handed shot, Nelson (5-10, 196) had 51 points (nine goals, 42 assists) in 66 games this season.
NHL.com’s Mike G. Morreale: Sam Rinzel
Rinzel (6-4, 177) is a right-hand shot who plays a two-way game and is capable of escaping pressure with a good first pass and high-end mobility. He had 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 27 high school games and 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 21 games with Waterloo of the United States Hockey League.
Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino: Ivan Miroshnichenko
A risky pick on a number of fronts, but if the projection were to continue on a path from what we saw at the U18’s in 2021, this has the potential to be a home run.
Bleacher Report’s Lyle Richardson: Frank Nazar
With their second pick in this round, the Arizona Coyotes could opt for USNTDP center Frank Nazar if he’s still available at this stage. The 5’10”, 180-pound Nazar is a speedy, two-way player with terrific playmaking abilities at forward and can also skate at right wing. He had 70 points in 56 games with the USNTDP’s U18 team.
No. 32 overall pick
NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman: Ivan Miroshnichenko
Miroshnichenko (6-1, 185) has all the tools to be a power forward in the NHL and was expected to be a top-10 pick in the draft, but it was announced in March he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. He has been cleared to start training as his condition allows, but there’s no word on when he might play again.
NHL.com’s Mike G.Morreale: Liam Ohgren
An explosive skater with speed, acceleration and balance, Ohgren (6-0, 187) could be a steal at this point in the draft. He plays with a lot of energy, is strong on the forecheck and has a great work ethic. He had 58 points (33 goals, 25 assists) in 30 games in Sweden’s junior league.
Bleacher Report’s Lyle Richardson : Sam Rinzel
With their third selection in the round, the Arizona Coyotes could look to add a right-shot defenseman such as Sam Rinzel. The 6’4″, 180-pounder acquitted himself well skating for Chaska High School and the Waterloo Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League. He moves the puck well and doesn’t shy away from physical play.
theScore’s Josh Wegman and Nick Faris: Lane Hutson
Hutson is one of the most intriguing players in the entire draft. He has arguably the best hockey sense in the class, and he’s awfully skilled, but he comes with obvious defensive limitations as a 5-foot-8 blue-liner. Still, with the Coyotes’ third pick in the round, it’s worth taking a chance on his upside.