Top prospects for Arizona Coyotes

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Arizona Coyotes, according to NHL.com.

Coyotes 32 in 32: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown]

1. Logan Cooley, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 3 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:USA (NTDP U-18 team): 51 GP, 27-48-75
Cooley (5-foot-10, 174 pounds) will play this season at the University of Minnesota. Beyond that, the Coyotes aren't ready to project where the 18-year-old will go next.
The Coyotes need playmakers and couldn't pass up Cooley's scoring skills, free-flowing skating and strong transition play. He goes full speed on every shift, pushing the pace of games to his liking with his two-way play.
Cooley's introduction to hockey growing up in Pittsburgh was in the Sidney Crosby Learn to Play Hockey program. His favorite player growing up was Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin and he likens his game to Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane.
"He's just what we need; he has a chance to be a No. 1 center in the National Hockey League," Arizona general manager Bill Armstrong said. "And they're hard to find."
Projected arrival:2023-24 season

2. Dylan Guenther, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 9 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Edmonton (WHL): 59 GP, 45-46-91
A superb skater, Guenther might be the first of the Coyotes' top forward prospects to reach the NHL. The 19-year-old is excellent in transition, has quick hands and is an exceptional mid-range shooter.
Guenther (6-2, 175) got stronger during his second season in the Western Hockey League. He improved at handling the puck in traffic and increased his scoring range, and the Coyotes view him as an eventual top-6 forward.
Though Guenther sustained a knee injury during the Memorial Cup, it isn't expected to keep him out of training camp.
"What we love about him is his passion to play the game and his talents; he's a well-rounded player," Armstrong said. "The No. 1 thing is he can shoot a puck."
Projected NHL arrival:2023-24

3. Conor Geekie, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 11 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Winnipeg (WHL): 63 GP, 24-46-70
Geekie was limited to one practice during development camp because of a lower-body injury, but it's not expected to be long term.
The 18-year-old has the size (6-3, 193) and physicality Armstrong covets, and he's confident and doesn't hesitate to try to make difficult plays. With strong hands, Geekie is excellent along the boards and controls the puck with the fluidity of a smaller forward.
One challenge is to develop more consistency.
"If you saw him on his good nights, you had him in the top five (among 2022 draft prospects)," Armstrong said. "He had some dominant performances with his size and ability, and just his energy."
Projected NHL arrival:2024-25

4. Jack McBain, F

How acquired:Trade with Minnesota Wild on March 21
2021-22 season:Arizona (NHL): 10 GP, 2-1-3; Boston College (NCAA): 24 GP, 19-14-33
The 22-year-old (6-3, 201) played the final 10 games of last season in the NHL after four seasons at Boston College and signing a two-year, entry level contract March 23. He gives the Coyotes a coveted player with a refined ability to score from the inside.
McBain was scouted by Armstrong since his age 16 season. He once attended a Hockey Canada summer camp run by Coyotes coach Andre Tourigny.
"He'd come out on his first shift and give his team instant confidence," Armstrong said. "He'd set forth to have a good four to five hits on his first shift, [and] let the other team know he's there and it's going to be a long night for them."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Victor Soderstrom, D

How acquired:Selected No. 11 in 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Arizona (NHL): 16 GP, 0-0-0; Tucson (AHL): 32 GP, 3-16-19
The 21-year-old (5-11, 184 pounds) already has played 20 NHL games. He isn't dynamic offensively but he's a strong skater who defends well in transition and makes quick decisions.
Soderstrom will compete to start the season with the Coyotes, although they already have experienced defensemen in Jakob Chychrun, Josh Brown, Dysin Mayo, Shayne Gostisbehere, Patrik Nemeth, Troy Stecher and Conor Timmins.
Projected NHL arrival: This season