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The big news on the Coyotes front is that they are on the verge of their first playoff spot in eight years. But there is old news that remains relevant: General Manager Don Maloney will not sacrifice what he considers top assets to bring in a player who might be gone at season's end.
The NHL's freeze on trades during the Olympics ended at midnight Sunday, and the window remains open until 1 p.m. (Arizona time) Wednesday.
Money is not the issue for Maloney; it's his belief that success is built and then ensured through a solid foundation. Any deal he makes would fit that parameter.
"I still believe we are growing this franchise," he said. "We expect to win. We're a playoff team, and we think when we get there we have a chance to win, so that's why we're looking (for) help, but . . . the price right now on some of these players, that's the challenge.
"This isn't a money decision for us right now. We've been able to save enough in our budget to give ourselves room for paying the next six weeks. This is more of the asset price that we have to give up to acquire, and a second-round pick and prospect for a guy for six weeks, that doesn't cut it for me at all.
"That's where maybe somebody else is wiling to pay, but I'm not. We think we're good enough, and we like the group. If we can find a way to be better, we'll do it."
Despite the season-ending knee injury suffered by Scottie Upshall, the Coyotes continue to play well. They enter their final 19 games in fourth place in the Western Conference. They have 79 points, a 10-point margin over No. 8 Calgary.
The Coyotes find themselves in a unique situation as a team looking to buy in a seller's market.
"Our mind-set has remained the same," Maloney said. "We'd like to have a little more depth in our blue line. We like what we have here now, but if we can improve that area that would be good. The strength of our team is our defense and goaltending, so if we help ourselves, that's our first priority in my mind."
The next priority would be offense. The Coyotes need another scorer, preferably one to improve a power play that is ranked 29th in the league.
"There's only quite frankly three or four teams that are actively looking to move people out, and there's the rest of us, trying to improve our teams," Maloney said.
He expects things to get "real serious here" soon, again adding a caveat.
"It's an interesting time, and we hope we can help ourselves a little bit, but not at the price of what I would consider 'A' assets. Regardless of the situation, we are not going to do that."
Coach Dave Tippett said he is concentrating on getting his team ready to return to the ice Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.
"My job is to focus on the players we have here, and that's what we're going to do," he said.
The NHL's freeze on trades during the Olympics ended at midnight Sunday, and the window remains open until 1 p.m. (Arizona time) Wednesday.
Money is not the issue for Maloney; it's his belief that success is built and then ensured through a solid foundation. Any deal he makes would fit that parameter.
"I still believe we are growing this franchise," he said. "We expect to win. We're a playoff team, and we think when we get there we have a chance to win, so that's why we're looking (for) help, but . . . the price right now on some of these players, that's the challenge.
"This isn't a money decision for us right now. We've been able to save enough in our budget to give ourselves room for paying the next six weeks. This is more of the asset price that we have to give up to acquire, and a second-round pick and prospect for a guy for six weeks, that doesn't cut it for me at all.
"That's where maybe somebody else is wiling to pay, but I'm not. We think we're good enough, and we like the group. If we can find a way to be better, we'll do it."
Despite the season-ending knee injury suffered by Scottie Upshall, the Coyotes continue to play well. They enter their final 19 games in fourth place in the Western Conference. They have 79 points, a 10-point margin over No. 8 Calgary.
The Coyotes find themselves in a unique situation as a team looking to buy in a seller's market.
"Our mind-set has remained the same," Maloney said. "We'd like to have a little more depth in our blue line. We like what we have here now, but if we can improve that area that would be good. The strength of our team is our defense and goaltending, so if we help ourselves, that's our first priority in my mind."
The next priority would be offense. The Coyotes need another scorer, preferably one to improve a power play that is ranked 29th in the league.
"There's only quite frankly three or four teams that are actively looking to move people out, and there's the rest of us, trying to improve our teams," Maloney said.
He expects things to get "real serious here" soon, again adding a caveat.
"It's an interesting time, and we hope we can help ourselves a little bit, but not at the price of what I would consider 'A' assets. Regardless of the situation, we are not going to do that."
Coach Dave Tippett said he is concentrating on getting his team ready to return to the ice Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.
"My job is to focus on the players we have here, and that's what we're going to do," he said.
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