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Will the Coyotes trade the third overall pick?

Anaheim Ducks v Phoenix Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 23: General manager Don Maloney of the Phoenix Coyotes speaks during a press conference to announce the contract signing of Kyle Turris (not pictured) before the NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Jobing.com Arena on November 23, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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The Edmonton Oilers are going to take Connor McDavid.

The Buffalo Sabres are going to take Jack Eichel.

But what the Arizona Coyotes do with the third overall pick at Friday’s draft remains very much up in the air.

General manager Don Maloney has not ruled out trading the pick, which could be used to select a d-man like Noah Hanifin or a forward like Dylan Strome or Mitch Marner.

“We know we need assets,” Maloney said.

So perhaps the Coyotes trade the third overall pick for two later picks. Or perhaps it’s for a pick and a player that’s already in the NHL. Remember that the Coyotes’ payroll for next season, as we noted a couple of weeks ago, is currently well below the salary floor. They’ll need to add contracts at some point this offseason, whether through trade or free agency.

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Related: Coyotes ‘open for business’ as draft day nears