Stanley Cups: 0

2008-'09 record: 36-39-7, 79 points (4th in Pacific, 13th in West)

2008-'09 playoffs: Did not qualify

General manager: Don Maloney (171-192-41, 6th NHL year, 2nd team)

Coach: Dave Tippett (271-156-65, 7th NHL year, 2nd team)

Captain: Shane Doan

Top returning scorer: RW Shane Doan (31 goals, 42 assists, 73 points)

Top returning goalie: Ilya Bryzgalov (26-31-6, 2.98, .906)

Key additions: G Jason LaBarbera; LW Vernon Fiddler; D Jim Vandermeer; D Sami Lepisto; D Adrian Aucoin; LW Laurie Korpikoski; RW Radim Vrbata; D David Hale; LW Taylor Pyatt.

Key subtractions: C Brandon Prust; C Garth Murray; RW Steven Goertzen; RW Enver Lisin; RW Brian McGrattan; LW Nigel Dawes; LW Todd Fedoruk; D Ken Klee; D Dmitri Kalinin; C Stephen Reinprecht.

Top line: LW Peter Mueller, C Matthew Lombardi; RW Shane Doan

Top defensive pairing: Ed Jovanovski, Zbynek Michalek

Goaltending: His game slid significantly from strong Coyotes debut of the season prior, but Bryzgalov rebounded to backstop Russia to the world title in spring. Save percentage was steadily below .900 after all-star break and seem to become dismayed playing behind such a young, ineffective team. Athletic goalie with solid reflexes and quick hands.

Player to watch: D Sami Lepisto. Confident puck-moving rearguard was acquired from Washington for a fifth-round pick and at 24, may be ready to make jump full-time to NHL. Saw duty in seven games with Caps last season. Slick, skilled defenseman owns a potent shot. Named to all-tournament team at 2004 world juniors.

Icing: The Coyotes learned right before the start of season that coach Wayne Gretzky wouldn't return. He had been away from training and preseason games as the court battle over the team played out. Doan has the unenviable task of trying to keep the team together on the ice.

Outlook: Who’s the owner? What’s the future hold? It sounds like an Abbott and Costello routine, but it’s life in Phoenix. The last Coyote to have it this rough was Wile E.

Prediction: 77 points (5th in Pacific, 14th seed in West)

NHL TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS Teams listed in predicted order of finish; x-playoff team ATLANTIC x-Penguins x-Flyers x-Devils x-Rangers Islanders Vote: Winner? CENTRAL x-Red Wings x-Blackhawks x-Blue Jackets x-Blues Predators Vote: Winner? NORTHEAST x-Bruins x-Canadiens Sabres Maple Leafs Senators Vote: Winner? NORTHWEST x-Flames x-Canucks Oilers Wild Avalanche Vote: Winner? SOUTHEAST x-Capitals x-Hurricanes Thrashers Panthers Lightning Vote: Winner? PACIFIC x-Sharks x-Ducks Stars Kings Coyotes Vote: Winner?

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