3. Christian Fischer, F
How acquired: Selected with No. 32 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Arizona: 7 GP, 3-0-3; Tucson (AHL): 57 GP, 20-27-47
Fischer, 20, was second in scoring with Tucson of the American Hockey League last season. He played three games with the Coyotes in late January and scored in his first two. He played four NHL games in late March, proving his potential as a future top-six forward.
Fischer, in fact, could be that as early as this season because of his size (6-2, 212), hockey sense, heavy shot, strength on the puck, and maturity. Not only did he produce in Tucson, he played significant minutes in all situations.
Projected NHL arrival: This season
4. Kyle Wood, D
How acquired: Trade from Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 29, 2016
Last season: Tucson (AHL): 68 GP, 14-29-43
Wood, 21, who was selected by the Avalanche with the No. 84 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, was Tucson's third-leading scorer last season. He's expected to start this season with the Roadrunners but has an outside chance to be a call-up if the Coyotes have injuries on defense.
Wood is a hulking, 6-foot-5, 235-pound defenseman with a heavy right-handed shot, particularly his one-timer. He has a future on the power play, and the Coyotes believe he could be a top-four defenseman if he improves his skating.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season
5. Adin Hill, G
How acquired: Selected with No. 76 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Tucson (AHL): 40 GP, 16-14-6, 3.16 GAA, .906 save percentage
Hill, 21, was the No. 1 goalie in Tucson last season and figures to be again. That puts him third on the NHL depth chart behind Raanta and Louis Domingue.
The Coyotes like Hill because of his size (6-4, 198) and because they think he's a battler. The feeling is that Hill's game improves as the level he plays at improves. He had a solid rookie season in Tucson but must build on it.
Projected NHL arrival: 2019-20