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Arizona Coyotes: Top 10 Prospects Entering 2019

By Dave Stevenson

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)
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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Barrett Hayton (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

2. Victor Soderstrom

Acquired: 2019 first-round pick

Position: Defense

Stats: 44 games, 4 goals, 3 assists, 7 points (Brynas, SHL); 14 games played, 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points (Bryans J20, SuperElit)

Victor Soderstrom was a surprise first-round pick of the Coyotes. I’m a little concerned about his offensive upside, but he possesses a very strong game that I believe will make him a top-four defenseman in the NHL.

His skating is quite impressive, as he’s able to keep up with fast forwards. Soderstrom’s hockey IQ is high and it helps him overcome a lack of size (6’0″, 183 pounds). His positioning and gap control in the defensive zone is outstanding for a prospect as young as him.

There’s a reason Brynas immediately trusted Soderstrom with heavy minutes – there’s a ton of things to like about him. I’d like to see his offense develop a bit more, as I think there’s something there. To be fair, Soderstrom’s deployment put him in tough situations. But still, if his offense develops, it would be well within the realm of possibility to see him as a top-pairing defenseman.

Soderstrom is close to being NHL ready, as he didn’t look out of place in the slightest as a teenager playing in the SHL, which is one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

Next. Grading Each Team's Draft Class. dark

1. Barrett Hayton

Acquired: 2018 first-round pick

Position:

Stats: 39 games, 26 goals, 40 assists, 66 points, 11 postseason games, 6 goals, 10 assists,16 points (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL)

Barrett Hayton is someone I was high on in 2018. The Coyotes showed a ton of faith in him by drafting him with the fifth overall pick. Even in an injury-shortened season, Hayton showed why the Coyotes loved him so much.

He was still in the top 10 in five-on-five points per game and power-play points per game in the OHL. Hayton improved his skating, which was a concern of mine about him going into the season. Next season, hopefully, he can stay healthy and show the same proficiency he showed during the 2018-19 season.

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