Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney shopping around for deal

Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney has yet to see the 2013 version of his team practice, let alone compete in a game, but that hasn’t stopped Maloney from seeking personnel improvement.

In the days leading up to the start of training camp on Sunday, Maloney thought he might have been able to orchestrate a trade and have it waiting in the hopper to execute once the NHL and players’ association agreed to a memorandum of understanding Saturday night that officially ended the lockout.

But the potential deal fizzled as talk among general managers grows in anticipation of the start of the season on Saturday.

“I would have liked to have it done for the opening of camp, but it’s not there,” Maloney said. “It may never be there.”

It’s still entirely possible this particular deal resurrects itself, and that’s why Maloney won’t divulge the details on his shopping list, but it’s clear the Coyotes have an excess of defensemen and a need for scoring.

“We would like to improve up front,” Maloney said. “That’s no secret. To win a championship, you have to be strong through the middle of the ice, and if there was something that falls our way, sure.”

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