Phoenix Coyotes appear ready to embrace change

The Coyotes didn't waste any time transitioning into their off-season as players cleaned out their lockers, went through medical testing and had exit meetings with team brass Monday – only a day after their season ended.

General Manager Don Maloney revealed that goaltender Mike Smith suffered an MCL sprain to his right knee when Smith was injured March 24 against the New York Rangers. His expected recovery timeline from that injury was two to four weeks.

Maloney also said center Martin Hanzal was bothered by groin and hip issues.

Obviously, though, untimely injuries weren't the only reasons for a second straight non-playoff finish, and it sounds like the Coyotes are ready to embrace change this summer to rectify that.

"We certainly came into this year with the expectation to be a playoff team," Maloney said. "That to me is a minimum goal for this franchise. It didn't happen, and so now we have to figure out what went wrong and that's the job of myself and the staff and work with the coaches to get better and that's what we're all about here."