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2013 NHL Draft Profile: Sean Monahan

2013-05-20T18:00:06Z

After a wildly inconsistent and disappointing lock-out-shortened season, the Phoenix Coyotes will look to continue to build their roster through the draft. The 2013 draft is very deep even after the top prospects (Seth Jones, Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin) are off the board. Over the next few weeks, Five for Howling will break down a handful of prospects that could be available for the Coyotes with their pick at number 12 in this year's NHL entry draft, and discuss how the players might fit with the team.

The fourth edition of the 2013 draft profiles focuses on a highly skilled forward from Canada's capital. To see all of the previous draft profiles click here.

Today's prospect: Sean Monahan - C (Ottawa 67s - OHL)

Overview

Monahan is a complete two-way player with the offensive up-side indicative of being a number one centerman in the NHL. The 18-year-old has put up back-to-back strong seasons with the Ottawa 67s of the OHL scoring 78 points each season. In 2012-2013, Monahan put up 31 goals and 47 assists in only 58 games.

Corey Pronman of Hockey Prospectus describes Monahan as, "a smart two-way player," adding that, "His ability as an offensive playmaker is high end, as he has tremendous instincts, displaying the ability to make quality passes." Pronman caps off his review of Monahan (which can be read in full here) with his projection of the 6' 2" forward, "Monahan projects as a quality defensive center, capable of winning face offs consistently. He does not have a clear developmental weakness in his game, which bodes well for a team that may be looking for him to make the transition to the NHL within a year or two." The main knock on the forward is his average skating ability. It is the one part of his game that is sub-par although it is not a major deterrent to his overall ability.

Our friends over at In Lou We Trust also did a Monahan profile which can be seen here.

Rankings

Central Scouting: 5th in North American skaters

Hockey Prospectus: 7th overall

International Scouting Services: 9th overall

Comparable

Ben Kerr from Last Word on Sports is one of many to compare him to Eric Staal, while Monahan likens himself to a Jordan Staal or Jonathan Toews.

Fit in Phoenix

Monahan is exactly the type of player the Coyotes are seeking: an offensive skilled center with a strong two-way game with the ceiling of becoming a number one centerman for many years to come. Many of the offensively skilled forwards in the draft lack a solid two-way game at this point in their careers, leading defensively strong teams to be a little more nervous when considering selecting a player this high in the draft. Monahan provides no such worries, and his one negative, his skating, is an issue the Coyotes have not shied away from in the past (most recently the selection of Henrik Samuelsson in the first round of last year's draft).

Phoenix would be very fortunate if arguably the sixth best forward in the draft to fell to them at pick number 12.

Highlights

Monday's Coyotes Tracks - Sweden Takes Gold at Worlds

2013-05-20T14:15:03Z

Coyotes News

Coyotes Enjoy Success At The 2013 IIHF World Championships - Five For Howling
Seven Phoenix Coyotes players and head coach Dave Tippett participated in the 2013 IIHF World Championships.

News From Around the Hockey World

QUICK RECAP: Bruins win, set new club record for goals scored on Henrik Lundqvist - Stanley Cup of Chowder
The Bruins are now up 2-0 in the series.

Senators outlast Penguins, win 2-1 in double OT - Silver Seven
Sens are alive in the series.

Sweden nabs gold at hockey worlds on home soil - CBC
Sweden won the world hockey championship Sunday.

2013 IIHF World Championship: USA Takes Bronze with 3-2 Shootout Win over Finland | The United States of Hockey
Dave Moss now has a shiny bronze medal.

Team USA Wins Bronze Medal | Men's World - USA Hockey
The Coyotes were well represented in this game; Moss notched an assist for the USA and Lauri Korpikoski scored both goals for Finland.

NHL.com - Speedy Stalberg likely to return to Hawks' lineup - Blackhawks vs Red Wings - 2013 SCP Conference Semifinals
Stalberg skated on his usual 3rd line spot in practice on Sunday.

NHL rumors: Patrick Roy 'strong candidate' for Avalanche coach - CBSSports.com
The rumor mill heats up again.

The Final Howl

The New York Rangers Power Play Summed Up In 59 Seconds - YouTube

Coyotes Enjoy Success At The 2013 IIHF World Championships

2013-05-19T19:14:21Z

The Phoenix Coyotes failure to make the playoffs this year had a silver lining. Phoenix's lack of a postseason berth allowed seven players and head coach Dave Tippett to participate in the 2013 IIHF World Championships in Scandinavia. Six of the seven player's teams reached the medal round with only Mikkel Boedker's Danish squad not making the round of eight. However, only forward David Moss is coming home with a medal. Moss' Team USA squad defeated Lauri Korpikoski's Team Finland squad 3-2 on Sunday in the bronze medal game. Korpikoski scored both of his team's goals and finished the tournament with 3 goals and 2 assists in the eight games he played for his country. Moss finished with 4 goals and 3 assists in 10 games played.

While only two Coyotes made it to the medal round others put up impressive individual numbers. Mike Smith finished with a 2-2 record for Team Canada, but the record is a bit misleading. He finished with a .944 save percentage and 1.65 goals against average. Three of Smith's teammates in Phoenix played for their native Czech Republic. Defensemen Zbynek Michalek showed off his offensive prowess, putting up 3 goals and 1 assist in 8 games. The inseparable combo of Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata combined for 3 goals and 4 assists and while facing off against other countries top lines (sound familiar?). Expect to see a number of the players play for their national teams again at next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi assuming NHL participation in the event gets worked out.

Sunday's Coyotes Tracks - No Pushovers Out West

2013-05-19T14:00:08Z

Coyotes News

With value raised, Smith seems unlikely to return - Fox Sports Arizona
Smith's market value up after strong play at worlds ... perhaps too much for still-ownerless Coyotes.

Rob Klinkhammer Earns New Two-Year Contract From Phoenix Coyotes - Rant Sports
After an impressive stint with the Phoenix Coyotes, Rob Klinkhammer earned a two-year deal.

Loui Loui! Swedes go for gold
Recapping the Swedes win over rival Finland, putting Lauri Korpikoski in the bronze medal match....

Swiss play for gold
...against David Moss, whose U.S. squad lost their semifinal match to underdog Switzerland.

Ryan House " 2013 Community Breakfast
Jason LaBarbera and his wife Kodette served as the event chairs this year.

Pirates News

Portland Pirates to Raffle off Baxter 12 Pack Tickets to Benefit Lewiston Fire Victims
For those in Maine, you could win Pirates tix by supporting the American Red Cross of Maine.

News From Around the Hockey World

Can't Fight This Feeling: Red Wings 4 - Blackhawks 1 (Series Tied 1-1) - Winging It In Motown
Wings fans are pretty psyched after they evened their series and finally beat the Hawks this year.

Couture returns from injury to beat LA in overtime - Fear The Fin
After getting shaken up and leaving the game in the middle of the second period, Logan Couture returns and scores the game winning goal in overtime as the Sharks defeat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1.

Penner blasts refs for having ‘gall to guess’ on goalie interference call | ProHockeyTalk
Trevor Lewis doesn't think it was a penalty.

NHL fines Sharks $100K for Torres suspension critique | ProHockeyTalk
Is that "grossly unfair," too?

Did Doug Wilson get the distraction he wanted? | ProHockeyTalk
There's just nothing about this episode that makes sense.

Worst ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ ever heard at a hockey game? Probably (Video) | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports

Jason Spezza cleared to play, will return to Senators’ lineup for Game 3 | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports
Can Spezza be the lift the Sens need to get back into this series?

The Final Howl

NHL’s awesome ‘Playoff Sounds of Round 1′ video is your ‘24/7’ fix | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports

Saturday's Coyotes Tracks - Crosby Wins

2013-05-18T14:00:05Z

Coyotes News

Mostly quiet on Coyotes ownership front - Fox Sports Arizona
Craig Morgan believes June will bring finality to the saga.

Sizing up USA-Switzerland semifinal - USA Today
David Moss is having a heck of a tournament.

News From Around the Hockey World

None Better Than 87. Pens Win 4-3 - PensBurgh
The Pens' best player was the best on the ice for Game 2.

NHL.com - Spezza return could come as early as Game 3
The Senators could use his offense right about now.

Raffi Torres won’t appeal ban; Sharks’ GM challenges NHL’s interpretation of rule | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports
San Jose is not pleased with Shanahan's latest suspension.

Rangers Vs. Bruins: It's Time To Fix The Powerplay - Blueshirt Banter
I'm sure Coyotes fans know the feeling.

NHL.com - Keith, Handzus said to be 'fine' after missing practice - Blackhawks vs Red Wings - 2013 SCP Conference Semifinals
Still unsure if that means either will play in today's game.

Clamor on Causeway: The World Championships are Just Too Much - Stanley Cup of Chowder
International hockey is a great celebration of the sport. The Olympic tournament every four years is more than enough, though.

Finnish media outlet turns Sedin twins into paper dolls with dresses - CBSSports.com
I think the easiest way to get under the Sedins' skins is to have Finland play in Sharks' jerseys.

The Final Howl

Bohemian Rhapsody in Blue (a lyrical eulogy to the Toronto Maple Leafs) - Pension Plan Puppets

Friday's Coyotes Tracks - The Colonel Earns Himself A New Deal

2013-05-17T14:47:26Z

Coyotes News

Phoenix Coyotes Re-sign Rob Klinkhammer - Five For Howling
The Coyotes signed The Colonel to a two-year deal.

Moss, Korpikoski Advance to Semifinals at IIHF World Championship - Phoenix Coyotes - Features
Coyotes starting goalie Mike Smith suffered a heartbreaking shootout loss to Sweden.

Pastor still committed to buying Coyotes - Glendalestar.com
Pastor's first public comments since having his bid rejected by the league.

The Dave Tippett coaching watch for Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche - Puck Daddy
The speculation machine will crank up further the longer the ownership saga wears on.

News From Around the Hockey World

Sharks collapse late in the third, trail Kings 2-0 in series - Fear The Fin
San Jose scored 3 unanswered goals to take the lead and then it all fell apart.

Raffi Torres suspended for duration of Round 2 after head hit on Kings’ Stoll - Puck Daddy
I wonder what NHLPA thinks of this.

Fraser: How officials are graded and chosen for the playoffs - TSN
Toronto's favorite ex-official explains the process.

Adam Oates says he could beat up John Tortorella - The Washington Post
No love lost between the Caps and the Rangers.

Jack Adams: Boudreau, MacLean, Quenneville - Cross Checks Blog - ESPN
No real surprises among the group.

Alex Ovechkin played with fractured left foot in Games 6, 7 against Rangers - The Washington Post
We'd be surprised, but he's a hockey player.

The Final Howl

What went wrong? Excuses from the NHL's losers - Down Goes Brown

Phoenix Coyotes Re-sign Rob Klinkhammer

2013-05-17T01:03:25Z

The Phoenix Coyotes re-signed forward Rob Klinkhammer to a two-year deal on Thursday. The financials of the deal were not immediately made public.

Klinkhammer joined the Coyotes last off-season via free agency and played 22 games with the main club. In those 22 games, Klinkhammer scored five goals and 11 points while averaging nearly three hits per game.

The 2013 season was the first time the undrafted 26-year-old saw extended playing time as he entered the year with only 16 games of NHL experience with two different teams (Chicago and Ottawa).

Klinkhammer also played 53 games with the Coyotes' AHL affiliate Portland Pirates, scoring 14 goals along with 30 assists.

A fan favorite, the 6' 3" forward has earned the nicknames "Colonel Klinkhammer" or "DAS Klinkhammer" due to his physical play along with an unusual surname.

As of July 5, the Lethbridge, Alberta native would have become an unrestricted free agent.

Thursday's Coyotes Tracks - Moss, USA beat Russia

2013-05-16T14:30:12Z

Coyotes News

2013 NHL Draft Profile: Max Domi - Five For Howling
Jaime takes a gander at Tie's kid.

Samuelsson Displayed Scoring Touch During Impressive Season in WHL - Phoenix Coyotes - Features
The Yotes first round draft pick from last season had an excellent season in juniors.

The Phoenix Coyotes' ownership unrest continues - KJZZ.org
When THN's Ken Campbell speaks, you probably don't want to listen.

News From Around the Hockey World

2013 IIHF World Championship: USA Routs Russia, Advances to Semis - The United States of Hockey
Bryz and Varly melted down and Team USA took advantage.

Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks Game Recap - 05/15/2013
Hawks easily took care of the Wings 4-1 in Game 1.

St. Louis, Moulson, P. Kane named Lady Byng finalists - ProHockeyTalk
Be ready for cab driver jokes all day long.

Selke Trophy Finalists: Patrice Bergeron vs. Pavel Datsyuk vs. Jonathan Toews - Puck Daddy
Wyshynski with a Gordo mention.

Toronto's Game 7 Gut Punch - The Triangle Blog - Grantland
Reliving Monday night's pain by someone who lived it first hand.

Official: Islanders to Play Rangers at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 29, 2014 - Lighthouse Hockey
The NHL is bleeding this outdoor stuff dry. I'm not even talking about all the games.

2013 CHL MasterCard Memorial Cup Preview - The Hockey Writers
An overview of all four squads participating.

The Final Howl

Fake Exclusive: Alex Ovechkin and Adam Oates’ Late-Night Text Messages - Russian Machine Never Breaks