2017 NHL Draft Profile: Cody Glass (C, Portland Winterhawks WHL)

Throughout June, the FFH staff will be giving you in-depth profiles and thoughts on potential Coyotes draft targets in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft on June 23rd.

In their continuing search for stability up the middle of the ice, the Arizona Coyotes might come across a perfect fit with their No. 7 pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft.

Cody Glass is not receiving the hype of a Nolan Patrick or Casey Mittelstadt, but the 18-year-old Winnipeg native enters selection day on the highest of highs after a career year in the WHL.

Cody Glass - Flash Stats

WHL Portland Winterhawks - 137 Games - 42 Goals - 79 Assists - 121 Points - 56 PIM

World Junior U18 Championships - 3 Games - 2 Goals - 1 Assist - 3 Points

After a mediocre 27-point campaign with the Portland Winterhawks in 2015-16, Glass did not enter this past season as the sure-fire, top 10 pick he is now.

However, in 69 games in 2016-17, Glass was nothing short of dominant, scoring 32 goals and 94 points while registering an astonishing plus/minus of +31. Glass especially excelled during even strength situations, where his 63 points was the best among draft eligible players in all of the CHL.

The Canadian also represented his country at the U18 World Junior Championships this year, where he scored two goals in three games. In this spring’s WHL playoffs, Glass recorded 9 points in 11 games as well.

Glass’ playing style would also be a perfect fit in Arizona. The 6-foot-2 right-hander is a terrific two-way player who uses intelligence and vision to create chances, not just raw ability. We have seen both of those playing styles tested with the Coyotes, and the former usually wins out.

However, because of his more balanced style, Glass could slip behind more offensively skilled players like Owen Tippett and Mittelstadt in the draft, making his possible availability for the Coyotes seventh pick likely.

Recently, the rumor mill has started to pick up a lot of steam surrounding whether or not GM John Chayka will trade the team’s first rounder this year. But, if a player like Glass is still on the board when the team goes on the clock, there should be some serious considerations about staying put and adding some much-needed depth to their corps of centermen.

With Christian Dvorak, the franchise has one young, solid, NHL-caliber center who will be a part of the future. They might have another in Dylan Strome. And if Cody Glass is making his way to the podium on draft night as the seventh player picked, Arizona might be able to consider one of their long time weaknesses a potential, future strength.