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Coyotes got ‘complacent’ with ‘people being here too long,’ says GM

Anaheim Ducks v Phoenix Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 23: General manager Don Maloney of the Phoenix Coyotes speaks during a press conference to announce the contract signing of Kyle Turris (not pictured) before the NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Jobing.com Arena on November 23, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Some pretty interesting stuff coming out of the desert with regards to the future of the Phoenix Coyotes, per the Arizona Republic:

What everyone seems to agree on is that the chemistry of the group needs some tweaking. Besides internal options and free agency, the Coyotes are also open to executing trades — and the targets may be players 23 to 25 years old who complement enthusiasm with experience.

“We have to look at our group and say we need more energy,” [GM Don] Maloney said. “We need more hunger into our group, and maybe we got a little complacent with people being here too long.”

The longest-serving Coyote is captain Shane Doan, but his standing within the organization is about as good as it gets. Maloney also acknowledged Doan’s struggles this year stemmed from issues with conditioning after missing 12 games to Rocky Mountain fever.

So...who else has been in Phoenix too long? A look at some of the other long-serving players:

Radim Vrbata

The Czech sniper scored 27 goals with the Coyotes in 2007-08, then left to sign in Tampa Bay, then left Tampa Bay to play in the Czech Republic, then returned to Phoenix in 2009-10...and has been in the desert ever since. He had a down year in 2013-14, scoring just 20 goals and 51 points while being left off the Czech Olympic team. Vrbata’s a UFA this summer and one wonders if he’ll be back with the ‘Yotes.

Keith Yandle

He’s spent his entire eight-year career in Phoenix but has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the last two. A talented offensive defenseman that’s had his defensive abilities called into question, Yandle’s stats this season reflected that narrative: 52 points in 82 games, with a minus-23 rating (yes, yes, we all know the flaws of the plus-minus statistic.)

Yandle has two years left on his five-year, $26.25 million deal, one that carries an annual cap hit of $5.25 million.

Derek Morris

Has served two lengthy stints in Phoenix -- the first from 2003-09, the second from 2010-14. Morris was a healthy scratch late in the season, turns 36 in August and is a pending UFA. Feels like the writing’s on the wall here.

Though he’s not a long-serving Coyote, one figures the future of Mike Ribeiro will be discussed this offseason as well. The veteran center was a disappointment during his first year in Phoenix, a development compounded by the fact he was the club’s big free-agent splash last summer, signing a four-year, $22 million deal.

Ribeiro was also a healthy scratch late in the season, and Maloney acknowledged the struggles.

“I don’t want to stand up here and point the finger at Mike Ribeiro,” Maloney explained. “If he’s standing up here, he’s saying the same thing. He’s disappointed in himself and in his performance. You’d think that a guy of his age or Shane Doan’s age or Derek Morris’ age would be confident. But, their confidence goes in ebbs and flows.

“I think Mike got down on himself and in his play. He got in a rut and couldn’t get out of it.”