From a wins and losses standpoint, the Coyotes haven’t achieved what they had hoped would pan out to be a significant step forward from a 30-42-10 record a year ago. In fact, they’re currently on pace for a backward follow-up record of 20-49-15 this season.
But the ulterior motive for the Coyotes this offseason was to inject veteran presence into the roster that would better usher in a wave of youth into the NHL. So far, that plan seems to be working.
Take 21-year-old forward Brendan Perlini, for instance. The Coyotes’ first-round pick in 2014 spent 57 games with the team last season and notched 14 goals and seven assists in his first taste of the NHL.