Dahlbeck, Moore showed promise in short Coyotes stint
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Coyotes cleared out their lockers on Monday after the worst season since the franchise moved to the Valley in 1996. Based on that 56-point result, it is fair to assume many of those players will not unpack those bags in the same room come fall.
"That's what always happens after the season if you don't hold up the Stanley Cup," forward Martin Erat said.
Erat, forwards B.J. Crombeen, David Moss and defenseman Andrew Campbell are unrestricted free agents this summer, while defensemen Klas Dahlbeck, John Moore, Brandon Gormley, forwards Mikkel Boedker, Mark Arcobello, Craig Cunningham, Tye McGinn and goalie Louis Domingue are restricted free agents.
Re-signing Boedker is a no-brainer, though GM Don Maloney joked he is "still arm wrestling" with Boedker's agent over a new deal.
As far as the other free agents, Dahlbeck and Moore are the most likely to be retained. Arcobello and Campbell could have some value on good deals and Domingue could spend some more time in the system. Coach Dave Tippet praised Dahlbeck's play and still sees room for growth in Moore's game after a tough situation replacing team and fan favorite, Keith Yandle.
The Coyotes also have a number of free agents in the AHL.
Tippett didn't hold back in his assessment of forward Lauri Korpikoski's performance this year.
"He had a poor, poor season," Tippett said. "He had one even-strength goal. He needs to have a big offseason and he needs to come back and re-establish himself as a good NHL player."
Korpikoski had six goals and 21 points and finished minus-27 in 69 games. He is signed for two more seasons at a total value of $5.7 million.
Dahlbeck, Domingue and forwards Henrik Samuelsson and Jordan Szwarz on Monday were assigned to Portland of the AHL, two days after the NHL season concluded.
Portland is currently tied with Springfield for the final playoff spot in the AHL's Eastern Conference with three games to play in the regular season.
Seven Coyotes will compete in the World Championships, which open this weekend in the Czech Republic.
Goalie Mike Smith (Canada), wing Martin Erat (Czech), wing Tobias Rieder (Germany), defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Sweden), defenseman Connor Murphy (USA), defenseman John Moore (USA) and center Mark Arcobello (USA) are the team's representatives.
Coach Dave Tippett will not take part.
-- Coyotes CEO, president and co-owner Anthony LeBlanc will represent the club at the NHL Draft Lottery on Saturday in Toronto.
-- Mike Smith won't come back to Arizona until a few days before training camp -- a shift from the past when he returned early to play what he termed "shinny hockey" with the team. After the World Championships he will spend much of the summer in his home outside Toronto and work with the goalie coach he's had since he was 12 years old, Jon Elkin.
-- Center Martin Hanzal said his recovery from surgery to repair a herniated disc is going well. He expects to be ready for training camp.
-- Maloney said there are a half dozen potential prospects if the Coyotes fall to the No. 3 pick in the NHL Draft. The Coyotes might consider trading down in the draft.
-- Maloney said there is no update on talks with KHL prospect Viktor Tikohonov, whose rights the Coyotes own until July 1, but added that if Tikhonov gets an "all-world contract" in the KHL, he could choose to stay after all. Tikohnov's team SKA Saint Petersburg, is two wins away from capturing the Gagarin Cup as league champs.
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