ARIZONA COYOTES

ESPN.com gives Coyotes A- for Boedker trade

Feb 29, 2016, 3:42 PM | Updated: 3:49 pm

Arizona Coyotes' Mikkel Boedker during the an NHL preseason hockey game against the San Jose Sharks...

Arizona Coyotes' Mikkel Boedker during the an NHL preseason hockey game against the San Jose Sharks Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

LISTEN: Craig Morgan, Coyotes reporter

The Coyotes received praise Monday for their dealing of Mikkel Boedker to the Colorado Avalanche.

At an impasse with contract negotiations and young forwards in the prospect pool, Boedker was dealt to the Avalanche for Alex Tanguay, 2014 first-round pick Conner Bleakley and 2014 third-round pick Kyle Wood.

The trade was well-received by ESPN.com’s Craig Custance, who gave the Coyotes an A-.

Arizona is proving this season that the rebuild can be ahead of schedule, and did well to get two prospects in Bleackley and Wood that can help them in the short term, rather than picks.

If taken at face value, this is like getting a first- and third-round pick for Boedker, since that was when Bleackley and Wood were drafted.

The short term impact is a good note. Prospects like Dylan Strome, Laurent Dauphin are on the way in a hurry and Max Domi and Anthony Duclair are already thriving in their rookie seasons.

Grabbing two players that are in a similar age range to their top prospects is a benefit to the Coyotes.

Custance, however, went on to note the concerns about Bleackley.

That said, there are concerns. First, neither is signed, which raises a red flag for one team’s amateur scouting director.

“The fact that neither is signed tells you something,” texted the head scout. “Bleackley has been disappointing.”

To politely rephrase the thoughts from one scout, Bleackley may have some conditioning issues. Colorado coach Patrick Roy wasn’t thrilled with how he showed up to training camp.

On the flip side, Wood has impressed.

Wood, on the other hand, has progressed nicely since being drafted in the third round. The Coyotes’ system desperately needs defensemen, since the focus has been on drafting skill up front. Wood is a nice addition.

He’s a big guy (6-foot-5) with a big shot. He’s not going to end up in Arizona’s top four, but it’s safe to project him as a fifth or sixth defenseman who can move the puck.

“He’s a big dude,” said the scout. “You’d like for him to be a little more physical, but he’s got a bomb of a shot. He’s a big body who skates pretty well, more of a shutdown guy that has a good first pass, but huge body.”

With a group of prospects dominated by high-caliber forwards, Arizona needs defensemen.

The Avalanche received a B from Custance.

Arizona Coyotes

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

1 day ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

1 day ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

3 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

3 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

5 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ struggles in Dallas continue despite Clayton Keller stacking goals

The Dallas Stars extended their home points streak against the Coyotes to 19 games with a victory on Wednesday night.

7 days ago

ESPN.com gives Coyotes A- for Boedker trade