2014 NHL Draft: Scouting the Southeast’s Top Picks

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brendan Perlini puts on a team cap after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Coyotes, Brendan Perlini

A team that barely missed the playoffs last season, the newly renamed Arizona Coyotes wanted to make a good first impression during this years draft. They did that by choosing winger Brendan Perlini.

Unselfish with the puck, Perlini’s 71 points were second on the Niagara team. He wasn’t afraid to shoot either, as his 34 goals in 58 games led the IceDogs last season.

The 6′ 2″ forward can handle the puck and even score with the best. Whether he does that, however, remains to be seen as one knock has been his inconsistency. One minute Perlini’s dominating, yet the next he’s close to invisible on the ice.

Compared to new Predators forward Neal, Perlini isn’t as physical but has no issue getting creative with the puck in an attempt to set up quality scoring chances for himself or teammates.

With the Coyotes, Perlini will likely return to juniors next season with an eye on improving his consistency to match that of NHL-caliber players before beginning his big league climb.

Rating: 1.5 stars