Sarah McLellan

azcentral sports

It was painful for the Coyotes to have their magical playoff run two years ago come to a crashing halt against the Kings, but they should probably feel just as miserable this spring.

Despite losing Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final to the Rangers, the Kings still have a 3-1 stranglehold on the series. They're on the brink of joining the Blackhawks as only the second team to win two Cups in the salary-cap era, the closest offerings to modern-day dynasties, and they'll be on the ice in the fall challenging the Coyotes in the Pacific Division.

"You have to admire what they've done and where they're at," General Manager Don Maloney said. "But that's going to make us all better. That's our direct competitor as far as I'm concerned. We have to pick up our game."

But closing the gap might take longer than most fans want.

After meeting with ownership last week, Maloney is expecting to be given a budget for player payroll in the next day or two, but it sounds like he's bracing for a conservative limit.

"I think for us we really just have to look at mix and chemistry and character and maybe sacrifice some talent and skill and look for value," he said. "We're really going to have to be patient."

Giving prized prospect Max Domi a test run could be the splashiest move by the Coyotes considering Maloney is envisioning adjustments to the roster rather than big-name additions.

But a single player — especially a rookie — wasn't the reason the Coyotes missed out on the postseason the past two years, nor should it be positioned as the solution. And yet making the playoffs isn't the only priority of the ownership group. So is keeping the fan base committed and engaged.

Maloney believes that's accomplished by winning.

"There's not one or two players that we could add that would magically take our season ticket base up to 15- or 16,000, where we know it has to be to have sustainable success," he said. "It's a work in progress as far as I'm concerned."

Overspending in free agency to acquire cachet isn't necessarily the antidote. This summer's class isn't spectacular.

Thirty-something wingers Thomas Vanek, Jussi Jokinen and Marian Gaborik are probably the most appealing, but no one could blame Maloney for wanting to stay away from their price tags.

Internal options very well might be the wisest route to improvement, but that also shouldn't act as an excuse for remaining behind the curve. Even with the addition of Domi and perhaps a few depth forwards via free agency or trade, the Coyotes still look off pace of the Kings.

Being cautious could pay off in the future. This approach has benefited Maloney more often than not. But subtle adjustments might not cut it next season.

And that's OK if management is willing to wait for another Stanley Cup run. Fans, however, seem to be fueled by the hope it can happen sooner rather than later.

"We can't look at our group now and say we're going to turn around and play in the finals," Maloney said. "Realistically, that's not a realistic expectation. But we think if we make the right decisions, we can be a playoff team next year. And once we get there, just like we saw a couple years ago, anything can happen."

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