PHOENIX – The Coyotes have been among the more conservative operators this offseason, waiting for potential buyer Greg Jamison and long-term captain Shane Doan to decide their futures with the team before the front office could further retool the roster.
But in the weeks leading up to the scheduled open of training camps in mid-September, the pulse around the league has copied that of the Coyotes, slowing as uncertainty picks up with the approaching expiration date of the collective bargaining agreement.
"Everybody is in a holding pattern in regards to the deals they can potentially make," Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said. "The last number of years, August is a quiet month anyway, but this CBA makes it a little quieter than normal."
Discussions between the NHL and NHL Players' Association are ongoing, with each side already presenting a proposal, but the gap in negotiations appears wide. The current CBA expires on Sept. 15, and if a new deal isn't reached by then, the league plans to lock out the players.
With that possibility looming, caution has replaced the enthusiasm that kicked off the summer.
"I don't foresee a lot happening around here right now," Maloney said.
That could change if Jamison's bid to purchase the Coyotes is approved. With that could come the return of Doan, who has loitered on the sidelines of free agency in an attempt to remain with the Coyotes once they've secured new ownership.
"We're still waiting on our ownership situation to be resolved," Maloney said. "It's still trending positively. We're still very optimistic about it. Once that happens, hopefully we can re-sign Shane to a deal that works for both of us."
Maloney has remained in regular communication with Jamison, updating him on the team's plans for new player contracts and the status of talks with Doan.
"He's certainly been a part of keeping current on where those discussions are right now," Maloney said. "He's fully aware of where we're at from a hockey perspective."
Meanwhile, securing a contract extension for goalie Mike Smith also has been put on hold until ownership is resolved.
"When you start looking at big contracts (including the length of deals), you certainly want ownership to be included in the process," Maloney said.
Smith is entering the final year of a two-year deal worth $4 million, and although a deal isn't imminent, both sides have talked about an extension.
"We exchanged some ideas," Maloney said.
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