The Arizona Coyotes walked into Gila River Arena Sunday with the ice awaiting them, and the knowledge that the regular season is only a week-and-a-half away.
Soon, the players will put on the uniforms and general manager Bill Armstrong doesn't have to spend as much time in a meeting room, with games to watch. First, however, there is training camp, which begins in earnest on Monday with the first skate.
It's far from a typical NHL season, starting three months later than usual as the league and its teams attempt to avoid the still-present coronavirus and play a 56-game schedule plus playoffs.