The Arizona Coyotes had a big decision to make tonight. Forward Barrett Hayton is in the first year of his entry-level contract, and with Thursday’s 3-2 loss Hayton has played 9 NHL games this season. If he plays one more game his contract won’t slide and the first year of his deal will be “burned”.
Originally drafted fifth overall by the Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Entry Level Draft, Hayton was billed as a skilled two-way center who was defensively responsible and could generate offense. Reviews of his selection were mixed at the time, but his play with this season, along with some other factors, have made the pick look better over the years.