Coyotes co-owner after dropping to 3rd in draft order: 'This one stings'
Edmonton's gain is Arizona's loss.
The Coyotes, who finished 29th in the regular season, witnessed a draft lottery victory for the Oilers on Saturday and saw themselves miss out on the chance to select one of Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel. Team president, CEO and co-owner Anthony LeBlanc wasn't hiding his disappointment.
From Sarah McLellan of azcentral sports:
This one stings. ... It felt like someone punched me in the stomach. The business boost we would have received had we either moved up or stayed where we were at the second spot, I'm not going to lie, we won't see the bump that I had hoped for in the short term. But I think in the long term, we definitely will.
The Coyotes, however, remain set to add a significant talent at the three spot, albeit not a generational one like McDavid or even Eichel. That was the message espoused once the initial disappointment wore off.
.@anthonydleblanc: "While I know Coyote Nation is somewhat dejected tonight, they shouldn't be. We're going to add a significant talent."
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 19, 2015
Among the players the Coyotes will examine closely as the draft approaches are defenseman Noah Hanifin and centers Dylan Strome and Mitch Marner.
"These are equally great players and more than likely would have gone first or would go first if it wasn't for this year's two generational players that were available," LeBlanc said. "That's what the fans need to focus on is the fact that we're still going to get a very good player this year."
And if all else fails, local boy Auston Matthews is next year's likely number one overall pick, although the Coyotes are probably hoping for a better finish next season.