Arizona Coyotes Future: Nathan Smith and Jack McBain

Jack McBain was the first to sign with the Desert Dogs on March 21st. He signed a two-year deal and hopes to recover from a leg injury soon to hit the ice for the Coyotes. McBain stated, «It's exciting to think about playing college hockey, Olympic hockey and NHL hockey all in one season.»

McBain stands 6'-4", 218 pounds and plays a physical game. He fits the mold that general manager Bill Armstrong is seeking to build a strong, hard to play against team going forward.

According to former Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers who was McBain's teammate in the Beijing Olympics, «He likes to get to the net front, he wants to go to the dirty areas, he wants to hit, create some havoc. He's not scared to get to those areas. It's something that's needed within the Coyotes.»

Turning to Nathan Smith, he signed the dotted line of a similar two-year contract as McBain's on April 10th. He is really being fast-tracked into NHL action, as he will be in the lineup on April 12th against the New Jersey Devils.

The unfortunate injuries to key starters Lawson Crouse (wrist) and Clayton Keller (surgery after a fractured leg) has opened up some opportunity for Smith to jump right into the action.

Smith tallied 19 goals, 31 assists in just 38 games at Minnesota State. The Coyotes acquired his rights in a deal with the Winnipeg Jets when they took over Bryan Little's contract. It only cost Armstrong a 2022 fourth-round pick.

Smith's attraction to Arizona was that he could play sooner there than what would have happened in Winnipeg due to the Jets being loaded already at center-ice.

Now the two youngsters can experience NHL level play and try to build some success in the desert.