Coyotes select Daniil But 12th overall

For their second pick of the first round the Arizona Coyotes went back to Russia with the selection of Daniil But.

But is a player we have seen General Manager Bill Armstrong go for, big. He is 6’5″, 203-pounds as a teenager and is already playing against adults.

The Yaroslavl born But played with fellow first-round pick Dmitri Simashev in the KHL and MHL last season, although he had more offensive production. In 15 games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl But registered two goals, he had 15 goals and 11 assists in 26 games with Loko Yaroslavl, and three goals and three assists in six games with Loko-76 Yaroslavl. He also had nine points (four goals and five assists) in seven MHL playoff games, and appeared in a KHL playoff game.

With two Russian players, the Coyotes are sending a message that they do not need to rush their first round picks. But seems like perfect player for GMBA, and hopefully will be fit the system when he is ready to make his North American debut.