Sarah McLellan

PNI

If there's any positive to be gleaned from the Coyotes' four-year existence as wards of the NHL, it's that General Manager Don Maloney had plenty of practice of piecing together a competitive roster under tight payroll restrictions.

And it looks like that skill set could come in handy this summer.

Although President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc told azcentral sports last week the team's budget will be in the "middle of the pack" when it comes to spending, Maloney said this week the team's payroll limit would be close to what it was last season.

According to the NHL salaries listed on capgeek.com for the Coyotes roster last season, that number hovered between $55 million and $57 million.

Considering the Coyotes already have $51.4 million on the books for next season, Maloney doesn't have a lot of wiggle room to operate, but that isn't an excuse he's willing to acknowledge.

"There's some flexibility right now," Maloney said. "There are other things we're doing that might create more flexibility, but right now there's some flexibility."

So, since it sounds like the Coyotes will have to be conservative with their offseason shopping, it's unlikely they'll be able to make a blockbuster addition when the free-agent-signing period opens Tuesday. But they still could be a desirable destination, especially considering their sales pitch already may be making the rounds.

For the second straight year, GMs were granted an interview window to talk to potential unrestricted free agents before the signing period officially begins. This process started Wednesday, and while contract details can't be hammered out, interest — on both sides — can be gauged.

"You will get a sense of what the players' expectations are in a general sense," Maloney said. "Then you'll kind of see if it's worth continuing talking."

In the past, it would have been easy for the Coyotes to be ruled out of certain player sweepstakes as soon as the signing period began if they didn't have the dollars and terms to compete with other suitors. Now, with time to talk in advance of the official negotiation, they can highlight what else they have to offer, and that could keep them in the conversation come Tuesday.

"I think it not only levels the playing field, it might even tilt it to the Coyotes' side a little bit," said Jarrett Bousquet of Titan Sports Management, which represents Nashville's Shea Weber and the Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson. "On the hockey side, you've got the owners and a good general manager and a great coach. So the hockey side is there. Obviously, it might be one of the top-five nicest cities in the NHL. So when people come in and really look at what Arizona has to offer, it's affordable, great schooling. It's safe, clean. Those type of things from a lifestyle perspective — that can be very attractive to a free agent."

This process, however, also means the Coyotes' own free agents can field calls from other teams.

The Coyotes aren't planning to bring back defenseman Derek Morris, but they expect to re-engage with forwards Radim Vrbata, Dave Moss, Paul Bissonnette and Jeff Halpern and goalie Thomas Greiss once those players figure out where their market value might land.

In that sense, this interview phase might not only help the Coyotes add players but it might ensure they're not overspending to keep their own.

And, as the Coyotes know all too well, every dollar matters.

"People want to do their due diligence — not just the players, but the team as well," Bousquet said. "So I think it would be advantageous to both sides going forward."

Reach The Heat Index at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic .com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.

Coyotes draft viewing party

What: Fans can watch first-round coverage of the draft on the arena video board. Goalie Mike Smith will sign autographs for the first 150 fans from 5 to 6 p.m. Kids can play ball hockey on the arena floor or take a shot on a goal, and the Coyotes will have two Zambonis and nets available for photos. Dressing-room tours will be available, and Arizona Coyotes merchandise will be for sale.

Coyotes' first pick: No. 12 in the first round.

When: 4 p.m. Friday.

Where: Jobing.com Arena.