'Yotes Notes: Martinook Happy to Avoid Arbitration

GLENDALE --Forward Jordan Martinook will celebrate his 25th birthday on Tuesday without worrying about his next contract. That's because the restricted free agent and the Coyotes agreed to a two-year deal on Saturday.
Martinook filed for salary arbitration earlier this off-season and his case was scheduled to be heard on Wednesday in Toronto.
"I definitely did not want to go to arbitration," Martinook said. "It's just a process that RFAs take when you have it. I was definitely happy to get something done before Wednesday. It's my 25th birthday on Tuesday, and then I found out it's my agent's anniversary on the 26th, so the stars aligned and it's nice that we don't have to come to Toronto ... I'm happy I get to stay in Arizona for two more years. We've got a young team and we're trending in the right direction."

General Manager John Chayka said Martinook is a valuable asset whom he considers a top-nine forward when utilized properly.
"We're happy to have Jordan re-sign," Chayka said. "He brings a lot to our team. He's one of those young, veteran-type guys. He's only spent two years (in the NHL), but he's certainly a good person and he works extremely hard and is well respected by his teammates. We're happy to have him back."
The Coyotes have Martinook, who has played all three forward positions in the NHL, penciled in at left wing on the depth chart.
"I think he's a versatile guy," Chayka said. "Last year, he played in a lot of situations, obviously played center and wing and played up and down the lineup ... Jordan is a guy that's going to push the envelope and try continue to evolve and improve himself as a player, but he comes back to being that hard-working, heavy forecheck penalty killer that's added a lot of value to our team and played in a lot of key situations. He's a good guy to have at your disposal."

• In other news, Chayka also announced the Coyotes had signed forward Tyler Gaudet to a one-year, two-way contract, and that a deal between the team and goalie Marek Langhamer seemed imminent. Like Martinook, Gaudet and Langhamer were/are restricted free agents.
• Meanwhile, Chayka said negotiations with restricted free agent Anthony Duclair are ongoing. Duclair is not eligible for arbitration.
"We're still trying to determine the best value for the player and the team moving forward," Chayka said. "He's obviously a guy that had a unique two years. He had a great year his first year and then obviously struggled last year ... We're trying to find something that works for both sides."
• The search continues for two assistant coaches for Head Coach Rick Tocchet's staff.
"Hopefully we'll have something by next week to discuss," Chayka said. "We're still working through that process. I think it's just paramount to get the right people in the right spots, and to surround Rick with the right types of people to help him out. So, we're still working through that."
The most likely scenario is that the Coyotes will hire two assistant coaches for Tocchet's staff as opposed to hiring one associate coach and one assistant coach. That decision, however, is ultimately up to Tocchet, Chayka said.
• Chayka said assistant coach John Slaney likely will become an assistant coach for the Tucson Roadrunners, Arizona's affiliate in the American Hockey League.
"He's a real good organizational guy and a good person," Chayka said. "Players enjoy playing for him. Right now nothing is finalized, but that's the way things are trending."
Slaney has served as an assistant coach for the Coyotes since the start of the 2015-16 season. He was stationed in the press box during games the past two seasons as opposed to being behind the bench.