Instead of making hasty transactions with their NHL roster, the Arizona Coyotes instead shifted their focus to improving their young core and AHL affiliate in Tucson for a potential playoff run this season.
For Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka, the organization’s philosophy is that a winning culture in the NHL generally starts with success at the AHL level.
And that was the team’s focus leading up to Monday’s deadline, as the Coyotes complete two minor-league trades to add four skaters to their AHL roster in Tucson.
“You try to be proactive and try to come up with some creative solutions to try and facilitate a deal that can work for everyone and get something done,” Chayka said of how the day unfolded.