On the Arizona Coyotes …
Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: The Arizona Coyotes have spoken with Anthony Duclair‘s camp about a new deal for the restricted free agent. Talks are expected to continue.
“It’s going to be a one- or two-year deal,” General Manager John Chayka said. “That’s where we’re at. We’ve talked. We understand where each other’s at.”
The Coyotes other RFA is Jordan Martinook, who is coming off a two-year, $1.225 million deal and career highs in goals (11) and points (25).
“It’s a pretty tight, comparable group,” Chayka said. “You have a good sense of where it’s going to end up. Whether they agree with that sense or not, then that’s where things get to the arbitrator, I guess. But we’re pretty firm on what we believe is the range. We’re in that range, so now it’s up to them if they want to make a deal or if they want to arbitrate. We’re comfortable.”
Contract talks with RFAs Tyler Gaudet and Marek Langhamer are ongoing.
The Coyotes search for their assistant coaches continues and there is no timeline. Rick Tocchet is looking for coaches who can think outside the box and are not “yes men”
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: Interview with Coyotes owner Andrew Barroway after buying out the Coyotes minority owners. Barroway on what this means for the Coyotes future in Arizona.
“We’re committed to Arizona long-term. This is where we want to be.
“We’re not relocating and I have no exit strategy here. My son would never forgive me. He (Jake) is transferring to the University of Michigan to study sports management and the plan is, when he is old enough, he’ll be the future governor (of the team). I’m not flipping it. This is a family enterprise. This is the longest long term you can picture — beyond my lifetime. I want this team to be in the family for generations.”
Barroway on what the Coyotes plan is for spending on players this season and beyond.
“Going forward, we’re not going to comment on our spending. I never thought it made any strategic sense to let other teams know what we’re going to spend or do, but I can tell you if John Chayka has people of value that can help us in the short term, I’m certainly open to it.”
Barroway on his decision to not bring Shane Doan back.
“I think the hockey decision was the right one, but I didn’t handle it as directly as I should have. I should have flown out personally and talked with Shane. I apologized to him for that and I apologize to the fans. He’s a bedrock of this community and I should have handled it better.”