Arizona Coyotes: Top 10 Prospects Entering 2019

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Victor Soderstrom (C), eleventh overall pick by the Arizona Coyotes, poses for a group photo with team personnel onstage during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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Conor Garland (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /

4. Nick Merkley

Acquired: 2015 first-round pick

Position: Right wing/center

Stats: 45 games, 10 goals, 24 assists, 34 points (AHL)

Nick Merkley had a better season than his stats suggest. He took a while to recover after a knee injury. Merkley struggled at times, going as many as 27 games without a goal midseason. But then, he came back with a vengeance in the second half, nearly leading the Roadrunners to the postseason.

I don’t think he’ll stick at center, but he’s made a nice transition to right wing. This is good for his NHL chances, as the Coyotes have a number of options at center. Merkley is a candidate to jump up to the NHL this season.

3. Conor Garland

Acquired: 2015 fifth-round pick

Position: Right wing/Left wing

Stats: 21 games played, 12 goals, 13 assists, 25 points (AHL); 47 games played, 13 goals, 5 assists, 18 points (NHL)

Conor Garland has a history of being a productive forward. He put up two consecutive 100+ point seasons after being drafted. Garland finally earned himself an NHL spot last season and, though he only played in 21 games in the AHL, still averaged over a point per game there.

Garland did pretty well in the NHL last season, pushing nearly a 0.50 point per game pace, which is impressive considering he was primarily in a third-line role. He should get more power play time, which should see his point totals increase.

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