Yes, agree, they tried it early in the Maloney era, 2007 to 2016, to build through the draft, but they were both unlucky in that they drafted in some poor talent years and they also made some bad selections. They also didn't do enough to gather as many picks as they could, just my personal opinion. Armstrong's made 42 picks in his five drafts as the Coyotes/UHC GM, Maloney took six drafts to select that many times, it's like an extra draft in one year less for Armstrong.
The Coyotes had three good years under Tippett, 2009/10/11, and then they just faded away again as they drafted poorly and made some poor decisions. I always thought Chayka was in over his head and he made more bad decisions than good, and it showed in the standings.
Anyway, I'm just glad to see them pick better, perhaps there's some luck involved there, but as they say, you've gotta be lucky to be good. Also, having played in the 80's with some guys in the organization, and against Plandowski when he played for the Lloydminster Lancers in the SJHL, I'll probably always follow them just for personal interest along with watching those kids get drafted and developed by the organization. Corey Schwab and I played together, he used to always get me free tickets, but those days are gone now....dang it!!
