THN.com/podcast. From THN On The 'Dub': WHL Players in the NHL Draft Rankings and Canucks Prospects Connor Mackey, Clayton Keller and Barrett Hayton [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk3Mzg1NDgzODM4MzAyMTA3/usatsi_20170295.jpg] Connor Mackey, Clayton Keller and Barrett Hayton For the past two years, the Arizona Coyotes have focused on rebuilding their roster in part by trading veteran players for draft picks and prospects. Their stockpile of picks could also be put to use as trade chips to accelerate the rebuild process. The Coyotes have several young players, such as Lawson Crouse, Barrett Hayton, Matias Maccelli and J.J. Moser, who are growing into quality NHL players. Clayton Keller, meanwhile, has blossomed into a star. The 24-year-old winger tied a franchise record this season with a team-leading 86 points. Some of those players, however, could grow weary of enduring losing seasons over the course of the Coyotes' rebuilding plan. GOPHNX.com [https://www.gophnx.com/2023/04/14/10-questions-as-coyotes-begin-pivotal-offseason/]'s Craig Morgan wrote that Armstrong may need to make some moves to keep the Coyotes' young core players satisfied. Morgan pointed out that the Coyotes have 12 picks in his year's draft, including two first-rounders, four third-round picks and two picks in each of rounds five and six. He also noted they have a total of 47 picks over the next four drafts [https://puckpedia.com/team/arizona-coyotes/draftpicks]. Armstrong might not use all of this year's picks to stock up his already deep prospect pool. Morgan doesn't expect the Coyotes GM will trade his first-rounders but felt some of the other picks could be put toward acquiring a young prospect or an established NHL player. On the other hand, Morgan also speculated Armstrong might peddle Nick Schmaltz at this year's draft and potentially fetch another first-round pick. The 27-year-old center was the subject of rumors leading up to the March 3 trade deadline.
