As the key piece in the Brent Burns trade, Charlie Coyle had a lot to live up to. Gifted with good size, decent speed, and hands, Coyle has all the tools to be a successful player in the NHL. He did then, and he does now. He packs versatility with the center/wing flexibility. He’s almost everything an NHL GM would want in a prototypical player. The only issue with Coyle has been that all that prototypical size and skill has been a giant tease.
After posting 48 points in 26 games in prep academy, followed by 63 points in 42 games in his draft year, Coyle certainly had the bonafides of a first round pick.