Coyotes C Barrett Hayton 2022-23 Season Review

Arizona Coyotes' centerman Barrett Hayton showed the world what he is capable of during breakout 2022-23 campaign

The future is looking bright for the Arizona Coyotes’ 22-year-old centerman Barrett Hayton.

Hayton was drafted by the Coyotes with the fifth-overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. It wasn’t until the 2021-22 season where Hayton became a regular in the NHL playing 60 games that year tallying 10 goals, 14 assists and 43 points. Through those 60 games, Hayton showed flashes of his potential but he truly broke out this past season.

The 2022-23 campaign started off slow for Hayton as through the first 29 games, he had just one goal and four assists.

However, things really started to pick up for Hayton during the second half of the season. He had 17 goals, 18 assists and 35 points over the course of the final 47 games.

“It was a tough first half of the year, and when you go through things like that you learn a lot and you figure out things in your game,” Hayton said via Coyotes' team reporter Patrick Brown. “I'm still young in this league, and just that experience, obviously it was hard in the moment, for sure, but you pick up things and you see things and you're able to find your game. That was a big thing for me.”

Hayton finished the year with 19 goals, 24 assists and 43 points while playing all 82 games.

By the end of the season, Hayton played on the second line alongside left winger Matias Maccelli and right winger Lawson Crouse. Hayton also played a crucial role on the Coyotes’ first powerplay unit.

For most young players in the NHL, it's difficult to regain confidence after a slump but Hayton never lost hope and persevered through his early-season struggles.

“Every player goes through slumps in their career” Hayton said. “You never want to, and to start the year it's tough, but you're going be in that situation again, and knowing you can get through it, I'm just really proud of myself for that. It's something that stays with you forever.”

Similar to Hayton, the Coyotes’ team as a whole made improvements. As the rebuild progresses the Coyotes are continuing to make major strides in their game and have a lot to look forward to in the years to come.

“It was a year of growth, and that's a big thing for myself personally,” Hayton said. “As a group we fought the whole year. I think there's a lot we can take from it and build on moving forward.”