LATEST | Coyotes GM makes a bold claim about the team's chances next season

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Cooper Godin
August 1, 2023 (9:23)

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Aside from the 2020 bubble, the Arizona Coyotes haven't qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2012 when they reached the Western Conference Final.

The team has plenty of young, talented pieces and in a matter of time, could be pushing for a playoff spot in the Central Division.

In an interview with NHL.com, Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong made a pretty bold claim about the team's 2023-24 campaign, saying they can take the next step and that next step would be playing meaningful games all season.

"Listen, we're going to have some challenges. We're going to have some moments we're not very good, but we've got an ability now to go into the ring from the first day of training camp. Now, we can take that next step. The next step for us is trying to play meaningful games the whole year and push to see how good we can become." Armstrong said.

Armstrong has done a fairly good job this summer in helping the Coyotes improve. He signed free agents Jason Zucker, Alex Kerfoot, Nick Bjugstad, Troy Stecher and Travis Dermott, while also re-signing Jack McBain and Matias Maccelli. Late last week, Armstrong also signed the team's top prospect Logan Cooley to his three-year, entry-level contract.

It's safe to say that despite off-ice issues in terms of their arena search, the Coyotes have a bright future, but pushing for a playoff spot this season may be pretty tough.

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