The Arizona Coyotes announced this morning that they have extended the contract of general manager Bill Armstrong. Financial terms and the length of the multi-year agreement were not released. The deal comes on the heels of what was a very busy summer for Armstrong and the Coyotes as they have added a lot of talent to their NHL roster including veterans Jason Zucker, Matt Dumba, Sean Durzi, Alexander Kerfoot and Nick Bjugstad.
PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan later reported Armstrong is now under contract for six more seasons – Armstrong signed a four-year extension, while the team picked up a previously existing option for 2024-25. He’s now under contract through the 2028-29 campaign.
The 53-year-old has been the Coyotes general manager since the 2020-21 season and has overseen a rather large rebuild during that time. Armstrong essentially stripped the Coyotes roster down to the studs and rebuilt it through drafting, trades, and free agency. Prior to joining Arizona, the Richmond Hill, Ontario, native worked in the St. Louis Blues’ scouting department from 2004-18. It wasn’t until the 2018-19 season that he earned a promotion to assistant GM before eventually joining Arizona.
The Coyotes have not qualified for the playoffs since Armstrong took over, and the team has only made the playoffs a total of four times since 2004. While they are once again going through a lean period, Arizona looks to be on the verge of a good run of hockey in the desert. Should they stay there.
The team will likely get a jolt from this summer’s signings and trades as well as top prospect Logan Cooley, who could be a difference-maker in Arizona as early as this season.
The signing of the coaching staff, Armstrong, and the player acquisitions this summer show stability within the hockey operations of Arizona, even if the team’s future off the ice is up in the air.
Dump all the vets for draft picks. Sign a handful of mediocre UFA,’s. Win nothing and aren’t expected to win anything. Sell only 4000 tix which fills the stadium. And for this you earn a 6 year extension. Has to be the best GM job in the league.
Totally ridiculous comment. Shows a lack of awareness of what Armstrong has done to reinvigorate this franchise. Just getting Vancouver to take the worst contract in hockey in OEL should have made him GM of the year.
Yep totally ridiculous. The amount of young talent is impressive. Not many marquee free agents will sign in AZ, so they need to home grow talent. People thought they were tanking last year and they didn’t even end up in the top 5 of the draft. Shows massive improvement.
I wish the Sharks would follow this same strategy. Getting rid of most Karlssons contract is a good start.
Armstrong said in his press conference. The stability and young talent will help bring FA to the Valley. Reupping the coaching staff was a big step forward to show stability in the people running the team. Best part is the owner has stayed out the team. Most owners today like to meddle in the team.