Coyotes' Tippett: 'We're trying to fast-track some people to the NHL'

Arizona Coyotes coach Dave Tippett paid close attention to his team's development camp this year.

Tippett and his staff took a more hands-on approach due to the abundance of young talent the Coyotes are trying to develop. The camp was geared at fitness and individual skills with the hope a few prospects will be ready to play at the highest level in October.

"We're trying to fast-track some people to the NHL," Tippett told Sarah McLellan of The Arizona Republic. "So we have to give them as much attention as possible."

Tippett and general manager Don Maloney like what they've seen from players like Max Domi, Brendan Perlini, Anthony Duclair, Christian Dvorak, and Dylan Strome, who are all expected to earn a roster spot sooner rather than later. The talent on display at development camp has given Arizona some much-needed hope following a disappointing 2014-15 campaign.

"It got to the point where I had to forget about last year, and you're looking at the bright side of things," Tippett said. "Seeing a group of players as talented as we have out here right now is certainly moving in the right direction."

The Coyotes have struggled with fast-tracking prospects in the past. Kyle Turris was rushed into the lineup before he turned 20 and didn't emerge as an effective NHL player until he was traded to the Ottawa Senators, while Mikkel Boedker's development was seemingly stunted by a similar decision.

Maloney doesn't appear concerned about repeating those mistakes, and development camp has only made him more confident in his stable of prospects.

"I was really happy with what I saw here because it gives us hope that we're not just kidding ourselves," Maloney said. "We've got some unreal talent coming. We just have to hurry it along."