Improving the defense was a hard-to-miss theme of the Coyotes’ offseason as the team made a horde of moves, giving it numerous options for filling out the top-six.
“I think our defense is a playoff-caliber defense now,” General Manager John Chayka said. “I think we’ve got a good mix of veterans and youth. I think we’ve got a good mix of hard, heavy players with speed and skill.”
Leading the way: Oliver Ekman-Larsson returns to the No. 1 spot on the blue line after another successful season in which he led the team in points (55), scored 21 goals and set the NHL record for most game-winners in a season by a defenseman with eight.