2023 Draft 18 months later: Arizona/Utah

By: Kaiden Brayshaw

The Coyotes turned heads (even mine) when they drafted Dimitri Simashev and Daniil But at picks 6 and 12 respectively. The team selected the players over higher profile players like Matvei Michkov and Zach Benson. The franchise was mocked for their selections, with Sportsnet listing them among the losers of the 2023 draft. Over the past 18 months, the two Russian prospects have begun to change the narrative around them. Later round picks, like Micheal Hrabal and Vadim Moroz are taking positive strides as well.

Dimitri Simashev

Simashev was drafted for his defensive versatility and has showcased his ability throughout his KHL tenure. His eye-catching skating helped rank him consistently among the top 15 players in his draft. His height (6-4), combined with his long reach and skating ability will help him grow into a top defensive defenseman in the NHL sooner rather than later. Simashev’s standout defensive game will pair him well with dynamic offensive defenseman, like Utah’s Sean Durzi.

Daniil But

Coming into the 2023 draft, But’s standout characteristic was his height. Standing at 6-6 But uses his size to create time and space for himself and his teammates. Height aside, But is a jack-of-all trades offensively. His strong shot and playmaking ability fits nicely in the deep winger core that Utah has constructed.

With both Simashev and But’s contracts ending once the KHL season finishes, look for them to be mainstays in the club’s roster before years end.

Micheal Hrabal

Hrabal was the starting goalie for Czechia at both the 2024 and 2025 world junior championships. In 2024, Hrabal struggled in the nation’s Broze medal game against Finland, allowing two goals on the first three shots before being replaced by backup goalie Jakub Vondras. In 2025, Hrabal redeemed himself, stopping 32 of 34 shots, helping his country win their second straight bronze medal. 2024 bronze medal game aside, Hrabal has proved himself since being selected 38th overall in 2023. In 2023-24, Hrabal boasted a 0.912 save percentage for UMass Amherst, playing in 30 of the schools 37 games, a high workload and a strong showing for the freshman goalie. In 2024-25, Hrabal hasn’t slowed down and is playing with a 0.924 save percentage through 19 games. A goalie's route to the NHL is long and unpredictable, but Hrabal was ranked 9th among affiliated NHL Goalie prospects by thehockeywriters.com and is Utah’s top goalie prospect. Expect Hrabal to develop away from the club for a few more seasons before replacing Connor Ingram or Karel Vejmelka.

Vadim Moroz

This season, Moroz has exceeded his KHL point totals from 2023-24 in 19 fewer games. Currently, Moroz has 24 points through 44 games, exceeding Daniil But’s 22 points in 43 games in the same league. Stats aside, Moroz’s 6-2 frame adds even more size to Utah’s pipeline, the Belarussian forward has exceeded his 3rd round, 88th overall selection. NHL clubs retain the rights to their drafted players playing in Russia indefinitely, so expect Utah to attempt to sign Moroz in the coming seasons.

Coyotes other 2023 draftees:

3rd round, 70th overall, Jonathan Castagna:

10 points through 17 games played for Cornell University, NCAA.

3rd round 72nd overall, Noel Nordh:

25 points through 22 games played for the Soo Greyhounds, OHL.

3rd round 81st overall, Tanner Ludtke:

1 point through 5 games* played for University of Nebraska-Omaha, NCAA.

*Sustained an upper body injury Oct. 25, likely to miss remainder of the season.

4th round 102nd overall, Terrell Goldsmith:

13 points through 37 games played for the Tri-City Americans, WHL.

5th round 134th overall, Melker Thelin:

0.922 save percentage and 2.11 GAA through 17 games played for Bjorkloven IF, Hockeyallsvenskan.

5th round 160th overall, Justin Kipkie

34 points through 40 games played for the Victoria Royals, WHL.

6th round 162nd overall, Samu Bau

7 points through 30 games played for Ilves Tampere, Liiga.

6th 166th overall, Carsen Musser

0.925 save percentage and 3.35 GAA through 2 games played for Colorado College, NCAA.