Arizona Coyotes have work to do to get to NHL salary-cap floor

With a slew of contracts coming off their books this summer, the Coyotes clearly have to make additions as they reconstruct a roster that limped to a 29th-place finish last season.

And now they know exactly the minimum they'll have to acquire.

The NHL and NHL Players' Association announced the salary-cap range for next season on Tuesday, slotting the floor at $52.8 million and the ceiling at $71.4 million. The Coyotes will have to take on approximately $18.6 million to reach the floor, according to generalfanager.com.

The Coyotes have only 11 NHLers under contract for next season. Add in the cost of center Mike Ribeiro's buyout (about $1.44 million) and the retained salary in defenseman Keith Yandle's trade to the Rangers ($2.625 million), and the team's current cap hit is almost $34.2 million, according to generalfanager.com.

Last season, the Coyotes spent approximately $56 million and their budget for this season has increased, suggesting the team will easily meet the minimum.

While those budget parameters will guide General Manager Don Maloney's offseason spending, the Coyotes certainly have flexibility within the salary-cap range to maneuver and that could make them an attractive trading partner as some teams try to shed salary to get under the ceiling.

As an example, winger Martin Erat carried a $4.5 million cap hit last season but the Coyotes were on the hook for only his $2.25 million salary following a trade from the Capitals during the 2013-14 season. Deals like this one make sense for the Coyotes because they have the room to absorb higher cap hits while adding a budget-conscious salary.

"When the crunch starts coming where (teams) need to move contracts, that's when I think we'll be in a good position to take advantage," Maloney said.

Keep in mind, though, at least some of their payroll is expected to be eaten up by restricted free agents such as winger Mikkel Boedker, who is coming off a two-year contract worth $5.1 million. Qualifying offers to RFAs are due June 30, Maloney said, and the Coyotes are still debating who will receive offers.

The Coyotes don't expect to re-sign any of their unrestricted free agents before they're eligible to test the market, Maloney said, but could engage in talks once the signing period opens July 1. Erat, forwards Dave Moss and B.J. Crombeen and defenseman Andrew Campbell are the UFAs who finished last season with the Coyotes.

Viktor Tikhonov is also expected to reach the market after playing the past four seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia. The Coyotes hold his rights until July 1.

The Coyotes can start gauging the free-agent field Thursday when the interview process begins. And with general managers congregating in Las Vegas Tuesday for their annual end-of-the-season summit, trade talk is likely to increase before the NHL draft starts Friday in Sunrise, Fla.

"We know we have to make some deals to bring some players in," Maloney said. "But we also know we'll end up signing some free agents at some point , whether it's July 1 or September 1."

NHL DRAFT

What: Seven rounds of the 53rd NHL draft.

When: Round 1 Friday at 4 p.m. Rounds 2-7 Saturday at 7 a.m.

Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Fla.

TV: NBC Sports Network for Round 1; NHL Network for Rounds 2-7.

Coyotes draft viewing party and rally

What: Fans can watch first-round coverage of the draft on the arena video board and get a glimpse at the team's new home and away jerseys. Prospects Max Domi, Brendan Perlini and Christian Dvorak along with defenseman Connor Murphy will unveil the uniforms. Players will also be available to take photos with fans 16 and younger at a "selfie station." Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers will perform. Kids can play ball hockey on the arena floor or take a shot on an NHL goal, and the Coyotes will have two Zambonis and nets available for photos. Fans interested in pre-ordering the new jerseys can place their order during the event at the Coyotes Den.

When: 3 p.m. Friday. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. New uniforms revealed at 3:30 p.m.

Where: Gila River Arena. Enter at the main entrance (Gate 4).