Coyotes draft Danil But 12th overall

The Arizona Coyotes selected Danil But with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Danil But

Position: Left wing
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 203 lbs
Shoots: Right
Age: 18
Club: Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
Nationality: 🇷🇺
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 9th among European skaters

2022-23 stats

But's physical tools are tantalizing. Listed at 6-foot-5 and already over 200 pounds, he's a power forward waiting to be developed.

He's shown an ability to score, too. But was a point-per-game player in the Russian junior league and was particularly dominant offensively in the playoffs, tallying four goals and nine points in seven games.

But was one of seven draft-eligible forwards to play KHL games this season, and he was one of three to find the back of the net. He played a regular shift in his KHL stint, too, averaging 7:22 per contest with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

But only played 1:50 in his lone KHL playoff game, but he was also the only draft-eligible player to appear in the Russian postseason period.

As a result of the IIHF's sanctions against Russia, But hasn't had a chance to play international games since 2021. He did play for his nation at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he tallied a single assist in five games.

But is signed through 2024-25 with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, meaning the earliest he can ink an NHL contract and come to North America is when he's 20 years old.

What they're saying

"But is a large, highly skilled forward who can score," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman. "He makes a lot of crafty plays with the puck in small areas, and with his massive wingspan, he's able to pull pucks past a lot of checkers. He can both make and finish plays well, but he's more of a goal scorer with a shot that can score from range."

"Casting a massive 6-foot-5 frame, But does not have tremendous quickness, but he has high-end hand skills," FloHockey's Chris Peters wrote. "If teams are chasing the next Tage Thompson, But might be the guy."

"With the finishing power that But possesses, combined with the quickness of his small-area game and puck skill, he could be one of the most interesting developmental prospects in the draft class," wrote The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari.

Click here to watch But's highlights.