NHL Draft 2012: Grading The Phoenix Coyotes Picks

NHL Draft 2012 Results: Coyotes Add Four Defensemen, Two Left Wings In Late Rounds

The Phoenix Coyotes highlighted a busy Friday night with the selection of American RW/C Henrik Samuelsson with the no. 27 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft.

But on Saturday, seven more picks were to follow with four defensemen and two left wings making up six of the picks.

The Coyotes selected defensemen James Melindy (3rd round, no. 88, Canada), Rhett Holland (4th round, no. 102, Canada), Niklas Tikkinen (5th round, no. 148, Finland) and Justin Hache (7th round, no. 208, Canada). The Coyotes also added Canadian LW Jordan Martinock with pick no. 58 of the second round, American LW Samuel Fejes with pick no. 178 of the sixth round and G Marek Langhamer out of the Czech Republic with the 184th overall pick of the seventh round.

For continued coverage of the 2012 NHL Draft, stick with this StoryStream. For full time news and analysis about the Phoenix Coyotes, check out Five For Howling.

NHL Draft 2012 Results: Phoenix Coyotes Have A Busy Night During First Round

The Phoenix Coyotes had quite a busy night on Friday. During the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft, there was apparently plenty of wheeling and dealing behind the scenes, other than the normal scouting evaluations and keeping track of which players are still on the board.

With the Coyotes' first round pick, they took second-generation player Henrik Samuelsson as the No. 27 overall selection. Samuelsson is a big winger who is offensively capable and has a good combination of size and speed. The Coyotes hope he will develop into a valuable component in short order.

The Yotes also picked up another player on Friday that they perhaps hadn't bargained on when the evening began. The Pittsburgh Penguins sent Zbynek Michalek to the Coyotes in exchange for the No. 81 overall pick, goaltender Marc Cheverie and defensive prospect Harrison Ruopp.

The second day of the NHL Draft takes place on Saturday.

For continued coverage of the 2012 NHL Draft, stick with this StoryStream. For full time news and analysis about the Phoenix Coyotes, check out Five For Howling.

Top 5 Things The Phoenix Coyotes Need To Do This Offseason

The Phoenix Coyotes surprised everyone during the 2011-2012 season, making a deep playoff run and proving that they belong among the elite teams in the Western Conference.

It is no secret that things in Phoenix are not rainbows and butterflies this offseason, to say the least, but the team needs to capitalize on the success of last season.

Here are five moves the Coyotes need to make this offseason to stay in the hunt for the Stanley Cup.

5. Add role players on offense

The Coyotes are hurting up front. Mike Smith kept the 'Yotes in games and if the team could never compete if he was having an off night.

Radim Vrbata was the teams primary goal scorer, putting up a career-high 35 last season, but the team cannot rely on Vrbata sustaining that role for years to come. Most of his success this year was built off the playmaking ability of Ray Whitney, who may leave in free agency.

The acquisition of Raffi Torres was a big one last offseason. Torres provided grit and veteran leadership for the Coyotes, and even managed to find the back of the net in many clutch situations.

Vrbata, Whitney and Torres are all shinning examples of coach Dave Tippett's system. None of these players were superstars on their other teams, but they excelled in the team-first system.

These are the kind of players the Coyotes should look for this offseason. Not superstars who want the equipment guy to shine their alligator boots in the locker room before they jump in their Maserati. Guys that will embrace their role on the team and help the team get production all over the roster.

It may be hard to lure free agents to the desert, where the ownership and relocation issues lurk, but you can be sure Coyotes management will try.

4. Retain the Wizard

Ray Whitney is an unrestricted free agent and is 40-years-old. Is he playing like a 40-year-old though.

No.

Whitney will command a lot of attention this offseason. The Wizard put up ridiculous numbers, not only for someone his age, but anyone. Whitney put up a team-high 77 points and ranked sixth in the NHL in assist. Not to mention his veteran leadership will be valued.

Fans became enamored with Whitney during his time in Phoenix. Whether it was his goofy "Whitney face" in the background of interviews, or his dazzling passes on this ice: Coyotes fans embraced Whitney. He was one of those players that gave the franchise personality.

"Would we re-sign him? Absolutely, we'd re-sign him without question," Phoenix GM Don Maloney said. "Would we sign him for more than one year? Then we'd have to debate. What number would we sign him for? Then there's probably some debate."

Give the man a handsome one-year contract Maloney. You won't regret it.

3. Sign Smith to a multi-year deal

The Coyotes have expressed interest in signing Smith to a multi-year deal, but Smith has said he wants the ownership issue resolved before he signs on. Currently, Smith is scheduled to be a free agent after next season.

"Obviously I'd like to take a little step back here, see where the ownership's going to go," he told Arizona Sports 620's Doug and Wolf when asked about signing an extension in the near future.

Another step to keeping Smith would be to retain his goalie coach and friend, Sean Burke. Burke is regarded as being one of the best goalie coaches in the NHL, and keeping him will entice Smith to stay.

Smith had an absolutely ridiculous regular season, tallying 38 wins, eight shutouts and a 2.21 goals against average. He was a top five goalie in nearly every category.

Smith also played out of his mind in the playoffs. He was arguably the most valuable player, for any team, this postseason.

Coyotes fans remember the pain when Ilya Bryzgalov left last offseason. Smith quickly erased that agony, but Coyote fans cannot take another franchise goalie leaving in free agency.

Sign him.

2. Make Captain Coyote a Lifer

Remember a Coyotes team without Shane Doan? That because there hasn't been one.

The 35-year-old winger was drafted 7th overall by the then Winnipeg Jets in 1995. Doan then made the move with the Coyotes in 1996 to the desert and has been in a Coyotes' sweater ever since.

Doan took over as captain of the Coyotes during the 2003-04 season after the departure of Teppo Numminen. Doan is widely viewed as one of the best captains in the NHL. He exemplifies everything a captain should be and is the unquestioned leader of his pack.

Doan is the face of the franchise. A Mario Lemieux or Nicklas Lidstrom type.

"It's a unique situation we're in," Doan said. "He wanted me to know I was a priority, made me feel important but I also understand we have to be patient. I think my track record speaks for itself about how I feel about this franchise."

"They have been unbelievably open and honest and great with me and I can't say enough about how good they've been," Doan continued. "And yet their hands are so tied with the whole stumbling block that keeps popping up with the team, and that is frustrating."

Doan has felt some frustration about the ownership issues and would like to have them resolved before signing a multi-year deal.

Doan needs to finish his career as a Coyote and one day take his place in the rafters along side Jeremy Roenick Wayne Gretzky, Thomas Steen, Bobby Hull, Dale Hawerchuk, Teppo Numminen and Keith Tkachuk.

1. Get an owner. Stay in Phoenix.

There is not much to be said here. Hurdle after hurdle, the franchise is slowly on their way to finding a new owner and staying in Phoenix.

A steady owner, along with the threat relocation being removed will go a long way in attracting new free agents and keeping talent in the desert.

For more information on ownership issues check out a fans guide to the Phoenix Coyotes sale.

NHL Draft Results: Coyotes Get Zbynek Michalek In Exchange For Prospects And Pick

The first round of the 2012 NHL Draft is in the books on Friday night. The Phoenix Coyotes, however, found themselves with one more player than they perhaps had expected when the night began. Just a short while after the Yotes selected center/winger Henrik Samuelsson as the No. 27 overall pick, they completed a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins that brings defenseman Zbynek Michalek to the team.

In exchange for Michalek, the Pens will receive the No. 81 overall pick in the draft, goaltender Marc Cheverie and defensive prospect Harrison Ruopp. Travis Hughes of SB Nation had this to say about the deal:

It could be seen as a salary cap dump for the Pens, who seem poised to make another big splash either at the Draft on Saturday or at some point before or on July 1. Michalek earns $4 million against the salary cap each season until 2014-15, and by not taking any NHL salary back in return, the Pens have plenty of room to work with now.

This is potentially a smart move by the Coyotes, who may view Michalek as just as good an option as they would have received by the time the No. 81 pick rolled around.

For continued coverage of the 2012 NHL Draft, stick with this StoryStream. For full time news and analysis about the Phoenix Coyotes, check out Five For Howling.

NHL Draft 2012: Phoenix Coyotes Select Henrik Samuelsson 27th Overall

The Phoenix Coyotes have drafted Henrik Samuelsson 27th overall in Friday's NHL Draft. Henrik is the son of former NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson and grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Date of birth: February 7, 1994
Ht: 6'2 Wt: 192
Shoots: Right
Position: Center/winger

Ulf was an assistant for the Coyotes for five years before taking a head coaching job overseas in the Swedish Elite League.

"We had two players left on our list, and fortunately for us Henrik was there for us," Coyotes GM Don Maloney said after the pick.

Samuelsson is a big, strong winger who is capable of putting the puck in the net. He does not shy away from contact, and has a mean streak on the ice that some compare to his fathers. Samuelsson's has a unique mix of size and skill, and will be a perfect fit for the 'Yotes.

While the mean streak may be something that adds to Samuelsson's value, it may also be a downfall. Samuelsson has got mixed reviews for his gritty play. In his time with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL he was suspended four time for a low hit, a crosscheck to the face, kneeing and charging.

"That's something I need to work on, not stepping over the edge too much and not taking as many penalties," Samuelsson said in an interview Thursday. "I've gotten better at it as the season went along."

Another aspect that Samuelsson will have to improve upon is his skating.

Craig Button of TSN describes Samuelsson saying, His skating is not a hindrance but he needs to improve his quickness and speed because. By doing so, it will allow him to impact the game more significantly. He's a smart player who makes good plays and has confidence with the puck. He finds openings in the offensive zone to score but with an improved shot, his goal scoring will increase."

With the Oil Kings Samuelsson posted 7 goals, 16 assist and 23 penalty minutes in only 28 games.

He was equally impressive in the playoffs, totaling 14 points in 17 games.

The Coyotes draft 28th tomorrow with the 58th overall pick.

2012 NHL Draft: Schedule, Television Coverage, And More

The 2012 NHL Draft gets underway Friday at 7:00p.m. EST (4:00p.m. MST) in Pittsburgh, PA. The Edmonton Oilers have the first overall pick, and the Phoenix Coyotes have thier first selection 27th in Round 1. Television coverage information and the complete first round draft order is below.

Television Coverage:

Round 1: NBC Sports Network starting Friday, June 22 at 7:00p.m. EST (4:00p.m. MST)

Rounds 2-7: NHL Network starting Saturday, June 23 at 10:00a.m. EST (7:00a.m. MST)

Draft Order:

1. Edmonton Oilers

2. Columbus Blue Jackets

3. Montreal Canadiens

4. New York Islanders

5. Toronto Maple Leafs

6. Anaheim Ducks

7. Minnesota Wild

8. Carolina Hurricanes

9. Winnipeg Jets

10. Tampa Bay Lightning

11. Washington Capitals (from Colorado Avalanche)

12. Buffalo Sabres

13. Dallas Stars

14. Calgary Flames

15. Ottawa Senators

16. Washington Capitals

17. San Jose Sharks

18. Chicago Blackhawks

19. Tampa Bay Lightning (from Detroit Red Wings)

20. Philadelphia Flyers

21. Buffalo Sabres (from Nashville Predators)

22. Pittsburgh Penguins

23. Florida Panthers

24. Boston Bruins

25. St. Louis Blues

26. Vancouver Canucks

27. Phoenix Coyotes

28. New York Rangers

29. New Jersey Devils

30. Los Angeles Kings

For continued coverage of the 2012 NHL Draft, stick with this storystream. For full time news and analysis about the Phoenix Coyotes, check out Five For Howling.

NHL Draft Order 2012: Edmonton Has First Overall Pick, Coyotes Pick 27th With 9 Picks In Total

The 2012 NHL Draft gets started Friday evening, and the Phoenix Coyotes come up 27th in the Round 1 order. They have eight additional picks beyond the first round, laid out as follows: they pick 28th in the second round (58th overall), 20th and 27th in the third round (81st and 88th overall), 11th in the fourth round (102nd overall), 27th in the fifth round (148th overall), 27th in the sixth round (178th overall), and in the seventh and final round they select 3rd and 27th, with the 184th and 208th overall picks.

The Edmonton Oilers have the first overall selection. A complete listing of the 2012 NHL Draft order can be found here.

For more coverage of the Phoenix Coyotes and their selections in the 2012 NHL Draft, stick with this storystream. For full time Coyote news and analysis, head over to Five For Howling. And don't miss SB Nation on YouTube:

2012 NHL Draft: Phoenix Coyotes Draft Preview