Sarah McLellan

azcentral sports

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Coyotes continued to add to their pool of prospects Saturday during Rounds 2-7 at the NHL draft in Buffalo, but they also had the opportunity to begin exploring the free-agent market for more immediate roster help.

Teams were allowed to contact impending unrestricted free agents Saturday, giving them a six-day window to sell their situations and gauge interest ahead of the start of the signing period July 1.

During this time, however, players and teams are not allowed to enter into any agreements.

"We’ve made some calls already," General Manager John Chayka said. " ... We're looking to fill some of the holes on our NHL team. I think walking out of (the draft Saturday) we've got a better depth chart than we did before, but we still have a lot of work to do on our team. So you're hoping to maybe get a little bit more done, but there wasn't a lot of movement. I thought there'd be more movement. I don't think we missed anything. I think some teams are going to start circling back. We're in a good position."

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Arizona’s sales pitch certainly seemed to resonate with defenseman Alex Goligoski, who signed a five-year, $27.375 million contract Wednesday to bypass free agency after the Coyotes acquired his negotiating rights June 17 from the Stars. Had he reached free agency, Goligoski was poised to become one of the most-coveted options on defense.

“I’m a little biased, but I think there’s a real good opportunity to show players our vision or the future here and the type of team we’re building and how we can win and then all the great lifestyle components of being in Arizona," Chayka said. "That is very attractive for many people.”

The issue of where the Coyotes will be playing long-term came up during Goligoski’s visit to the Valley last Monday, and President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc answered it by filling Goligoski in on the team’s plans for a new arena – including where the site will be.

On Friday, LeBlanc announced that the Coyotes had identified a location in the Valley but he said the organization wouldn’t publicly reveal where it is until a real-estate agreement had been finalized.

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“In the situation with Alex, it was a question that came up,” LeBlanc said. “It wasn’t a very significant one, but that was the point when Dave (Tippett) or John asked me to jump in and provide that. I met with Alex and gave him a rundown, and obviously he left that with a fair degree of comfort as he should, and I think that will be a similar message Dave and John would have relaying to any potential free agents.”

Defense has been a focus for the Coyotes so far this offseason; aside from signing Goligoski, the team used four of their five draft picks to add blue-line prospects and also acquired Anthony DeAngelo (a right shot) from the Lightning in exchange for the 37th overall pick.

In free agency, the Coyotes could continue to bolster their back end while also looking at who might complement them up front.

"We're going to look for players we think add a lot of value, and the combination of their performance and their contract," Chayka said. "You like every player until they cost you some money, and then you start changing your perspective of that value. I expect us to improve our team through free agency."

Superstar Steven Stamkos, winger Kyle Okposo and center David Backes are among the intriguing forwards set to become free agents; asked if the Coyotes might pursue some of the most prized names this summer, Chayka said, "It's tough to say right now.

"I think we’re going to have some discussions," Chayka continued. "I think that's the best way to put it. We've got some cap room to spend. Those type of players at those terms and dollars are difficult to fit in. You've got a young growing team. Who's going to box you out in three, four years? That's the question that you ask. But I think anyone who's interested in those players should at least have a discussion to see where it ends up. That's the stage we're at."

This could be a busy week for the Coyotes. Qualifying offers for restricted free agents are due Monday, and the team is still in talks with captain Shane Doan on a new contract and hopes to get a deal done before Friday.

And when free agency does open that day at 9 a.m. Arizona time, exploring possibilities is a priority.

"We're going to be aggressive but patient, stay disciplined," Chayka said. "We have a good plan in place with contingencies along the way. We need to do something to improve our team through free agency."

Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.