Coyotes expect to be active in free agency
The biggest smile from Arizona Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong on Monday during his end-ofseason media session came from a question about whether he looks forward to a full off-season to continue implementing his vision for the team.
Armstrong was hired last September, not long before the NHL Draft and free agency. There was little time for more than quickly assessing the Coyotes’ needs and making moves with the limited resources he had.
Eight months later, the Coyotes’ season is over, Armstrong and former head coach Rick Tocchet have parted ways, and outside of the now ongoing search for the next head coach, Armstrong doesn’t need to rush into anything. He now has a full offseason with key dates on the calendar that he and his staff can more effectively prepare for, and in July, he can lead the Coyotes through the draft for the first time.
“I’m excited about that,” Armstrong said. “I felt like coming through the door there was a lot going on. Just one thing after next. For me it’s a little time to reflect here, and finish out the plan that we’d started. And now you can just kind of organize your time and go at it instead of being under the gun 24-7.”
Armstrong began conversations with players about their futures with the Coyotes on Monday. In the weeks ahead, he’ll speak with agents as well to get a sense of who would like to return to the club and who will move on.
As was the case last season, the roster will see new faces. The contracts of six defensemen who saw NHL action this season, including Alex Goligoski, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Jordan Oesterle and Jason Demers, are set to expire.
Forwards Derick Brassard and Michael Bunting, and goalie Antti Raanta are also in line to become unrestricted free agents. The Coyotes have the right to match any offers for forwards Dryden Hunt, John Hayden and Lane Pederson as well as Conor Garland and goalie Adin Hill, both who are strong candidates to be re-signed.
So, also, is Goligoski,
it can be reasoned, because of his shot-blocking and ability to provide offense. Goligoski played in all 56 games and led the Coyotes in blocks with 108. He had points in 17 of his last 23 games.
“I thought I had a good year,” Goligoski said. “I’m open to anything. I’ve loved it here if this is it, and if it’s not, then great. I love playing here and I love the guys. You never know. It could be a long process, could be short.”
The Coyotes intend to be active in free agency, as Armstrong said there are holes to fill on the roster. The NHL’s free agency period opens July 28.
“We’re going to do it by obviously re-signing a few of our guys that are free agents but also getting into the free agent pool and making sure we find the right guys that’ll provide some identity for us,” Armstrong said. “I was happy with the group, the Johan Larssons and the (Tyler) Pitlicks from last year. They’re some key core guys that we’ve added into the mix and we look to do the same thing in free agency this year.”
Larsson and Pitlick were two forwards the Coyotes signed in free agency last season, but both ended the season out due to injury.
Garland was the team leader in assists with 27 but had a season in which he started strong with scoring production, then saw the goals tail off before an injury forced him out for six games. After he returned, he put up seven points in the final four games of the season and finished with 12 goals.
Garland was often the focal point of opposing defenses, especially early in the season. He said the business side of negotiations is not something he worries about.
“That stuff takes care of itself,” he said. “Of course I would love to be back here and hopefully the Coyotes want me back here, and that’s something we can look forward to for years to come.”
Bunting, 25, was one of the breakout players of the season with 10 goals and three assists in 21 games after getting called up from AHL Tucson, where he’d spent the previous four seasons.
He put up a hat trick in one game and seems set for an NHL contract this offseason.