During a major summer renovation, the Coyotes added a No.1 center, two top-four defensemen and a new starting goalie.
But they didn’t patch every hole in their lineup
Arizona is starting the season without a captain, leaving the post vacated by Shane Doan empty and instead forming a leadership group.
Defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Niklas Hjalmarsson will be permanent alternate captains, while centers Derek Stepan and Brad Richardson and defenseman Alex Goligoski will share the third position.
“Why not try something new?” Hjalmarsson said. “I know they had an unbelievable captain for an eternity almost.