Report: Busy GM on the cusp of getting a deal done.

As the March. 2 trade deadline fast approaches, teams out of playoff contention are trying to shed UFA's like wildfire. The Arizona Coyotes are one of those teams. The good news for the Coyotes is they have possibly the most coveted player on the market in veteran center Antoine Vermette. GM Don Maloney has been a busy man. There is no doubt that he is receiving calls about Vermette from multiple teams in need of a playoff rental. However, they have yet to pull the trigger on a deal for the versatile forward. The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens have all been linked to Vermette as potential trade destinations. Maloney was on Arizona Sports 98.7 Wednesday morning discussing his strategy surrounding the trade deadline. “We have a clear price in mind for not only Antoine [Vermette], but any of our people here,” said Maloney. “We know we’re having a difficult season. We need to bring some young assets in. “We want to introduce more youth and speed into our lineup, which is what we plan on doing going forward.” Along with Vermette, Keith Yandle, Martin Erat and Zbynek Michalek are all rumoured to be available for trade before the deadline. The Coyotes seem to be on the cusp of making a blockbuster trade, but they are still holding out for a an even bigger return. “We have good assets. We have good people that other teams would like to acquire,” he said. “We’d just like a little bit more than is being offered right now.” “We know looking at our year we have to be quicker. We have to have a lot more energy into our group. We need to defend better. So all of those areas are going to be addressed. Hopefully a little bit right now at the trade deadline, but certainly in the offseason we think we can do some things to make us certainly a lot more entertaining next year.” There is no doubt Vermette will be dealt and it appears that Maloney's asking price is close to being met. The question remains, which team is going to pay up for him.