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Report: Coyotes close to re-signing Mike Smith

Los Angeles Kings v Phoenix Coyotes - Game One

GLENDALE, AZ - MAY 13: Goaltender Mike Smith #41 of the Phoenix Coyotes looks on during Game One of the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Kings during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on May 13, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. The Kings defeated the Coyotes 4-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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It’s still not known if the Phoenix Coyotes will start the 2013-14 campaign with a new owner or, for that matter, play another game in Glendale, but their goaltending situation is getting much clearer.

Mike Smith is close to inking a six-year extension with the Phoenix Coyotes worth around $5.7 million annually, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.

If he’s not re-signed, Smith will become an unrestricted free agent on July 5. The 31-year-old previously admitted that the uncertainty about the ownership situation was a consideration in these negotiations.

That being said, it helped matters when the Coyotes re-signed coach Dave Tippett, based on an Arizona Republic report.

Smith broke out in 2011-12 with a 2.21 GAA and .930 save percentage in 67 games. However, he was less consistent in 2013 and ended up with a 2.58 GAA and .910 save percentage in 34 starts.

If he’s off the market, then the best unrestricted free agent goaltenders could be Ray Emery, Evgeni Nabokov, and Ilya Bryzgalov.