Since taking the reins of the organization 2016, Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka has typically valued defenseman at the NHL draft.
This year was no different.
After selecting center Barrett Hayton with the fifth overall pick on Friday, Chayka tabbed four defensemen with the Coyotes’ final eight selections of the draft on Saturday. The club also took two goaltenders, one center and one left wing for a total of three forwards in their 2018 draft class.
Since 2016, Chayka has made 23 draft selections, and 13 of those players have been defensemen.