NHL 19: Arizona Coyotes Player Ratings, Roster & Top Prospects


(Image Source: EA Sports)

The Arizona Coyotes lack top-class strength throughout the line-up: a consequence of flipping their rebuild general manager too soon. While there are still many young players with decent potential on the team, the weak prospect pool and the rapidly aging defensive corps doesn’t bode well for the future of the Yotes. Right now, the defense is the strongest part of this team while top forwards continue to develop. Arizona is one of the furthest teams from being a Stanley Cup contender, but they could be on the rise. 

Clayton Keller, Left Wing, 84 OVR

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Age: 20Role: Left Wing PlaymakerHeight: 178cmWeight: 76kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 94 Deking. 90 Hand-Eye, Passing, Puck Control, Acceleration, Agility, Speed, Offensive Awareness 

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that rookie Clayton Keller was Arizona’s only bright spot last season, playing all 82 games to score 23 goals and 65 points. Now 20-years-old, Keller leads the team once again. Through 24 games, the young winger had 15 points for the defense-oriented Coyotes, who will lean on the youngster to continue to score in big moments.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Defenseman, 88 OVR

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Age: 27Role: Offensive DefensemanHeight: 188cmWeight: 91kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 93 Passing, Puck Control. 92 Offensive Awareness. 91 Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power 

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been Arizona’s top defenseman for some time now, and with a big new contract, the team captain has taken it upon himself to become a two-way defenseman that’s capable of helping his team at both ends of the ice. Last season, the Swede pretty much had free rein to do whatever he wanted, and so tallied 14 goals and 42 points. This season, with the Coyotes trying to establish some philosophy and start to become competitive, he’s been a bit more conservative in the offensive end, prioritizing his defensive duties more often. 

Antti Raanta, Goaltender, 84 OVR

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Age: 29Role: Hybrid GoaltenderHeight: 183cmWeight: 88kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 89 Speed. 88 Agility, Vision, Angles, Breakaway, Breakaway, Five Hole, Stick Low

Tempered by the team in front of him, Antti Raanta is a decent goaltender who can win games with a little bit of help. This season, Raanta has seen his numbers tumble from the impressive tallies of a .930 save percentage and 2.24 goals against average of last season despite the Coyotes being more focussed on defense. He’s struggling to find his form and perform the basics consistently, which has resulted in Darcy Kuemper taking over as the team’s starter.

NHL 19 Arizona Coyotes Roster

From the Day 1, September 13 update, this is how the Arizona Coyotes’ first lines start. The top line is all about using the speed and skill of Keller to maximum effect, while Richard Panik’s sniping skill can complement the left wing playmaker nicely. Jason Demers is a useful defenseman, but users will want to funnel the puck through Ekman-Larsson as much as possible.

Clayton Keller (84) – Derek Stepan (84) – Richard Panik (80)

Oliver Ekman-Larsson (88) – Jason Demers (82)

Antti Raanta (84)

Name
Overall Rating
Position/Role
Height
Age
Shoots
Best Stats
Alex Galchenyuk
84
Playmaker Center
185cm
24
Left
90 Deking, Acceleration, Agility, Speed
Derek Stepan
84
Two-Way Center
183cm
28
Right
90 Discipline. 88 Deking, Hand-Eye, Passing, Puck Control, Defensive Awareness, Stick Checking, Acceleration, Agility, Speed, Slap Shot Accuracy, Wrist Shot Accuracy
Niklas Hjalmarsson
84
Defensive Defenseman
191cm
31
Left
90 Poise, Shot Blocking, Stick Checking
Christian Dvorak
82
Two-Way Center
183cm
22
Left
87 Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power, Strength, Balance, Stick Checking
Jason Demers
82
Two-Way Defenseman
185cm
30
Right
88 Stick Checking. 87 Shot Blocking, Speed, Slap Shot Power
Alex Goligoski
82
Offensive Defenseman
180cm
33
Left
90 Deking. 88 Passing, Puck Control, Stick Checking, Discipline, Speed, Slap Shot Power
*Brendan Perlini
81
Left Wing Sniper
191cm
22
Left
88 Slap Shot Power. 87 Wrist Shot Accuracy, Wrist Shot Power, Strength, Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Speed, Deking, Hand-Eye
Michael Grabner
81
Left Wing Sniper
185cm
30
Left
95 Discipline. 93 Speed. 90 Acceleration
Jakob Chychrun
81
Two-Way Defenseman
191cm
20
Left
88 Balance, Aggressiveness. 87 Stick Checking, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power, Body Checking, Strength
Richard Panik
80
Right Wing Sniper
185cm
27
Left
87 Slap Shot Power, Acceleration, Speed
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*Brendan Perlini and Dylan Strome were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on November 25.

Nick Merkley, Center, 78 OVR

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Age: 21Role: Two-Way CenterHeight: 178cmWeight: 85kgShoots: RightPotential: Top 6 med

In this roster, the Arizona Coyotes are experiencing somewhat of a logjam at center, especially when it comes to two-way centers. But, to continue the defense-first ethos, Nick Merkley’s two-way skill, particularly the ever-improving 74 for faceoffs, 75 for poise, and 82 for defensive awareness, can be of great use. 

While the Coyotes’ prospect pool has many swimmers, few are of great potential. A few names stick out, like Barrett Hayton, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, and the nearly NHL-ready Kyle Capobianco, but for the most part, these prospects look to be the makings of a decent AHL team. 

NHL 19 Arizona Coyotes Top Prospects

Name
Overall Rating
Position/Role
Height
Age
Shoots
Potential
Barrett Hayton
64
Two-Way Center
185cm
18
Left
Top 6 med
Jan Jenik
55
Two-Way Center
185cm
18
Left
Top 9 low
Kevin Bahl
63
Defensive Defenseman
196cm
18
Left
Top 6 med
Dennis Busby
56
Two-Way Defenseman
180cm
18
Right
7th D med
Filip Westerlund
57
Two-Way Defenseman
180m
19
Right
Top 6 med
Erik Walli Walterholm
54
Two-Way Right Wing
185cm
19
Right
AHL Top 6 med
Pierre-Olivier Joseph
62
Two-Way Defenseman
183cm
19
Left
Top 4 med
Noel Hoefenmayer
60
Two-Way Defenseman
183cm
19
Left
AHL Top 2 high
Nate Schnarr
61
Power Forward Center
191cm
19
Right
AHL Top 6 high
Cam Dineen
60
Offensive Defenseman
180cm
20
Left
Top 6 med
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