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No Nikolai Khabibulin. No Robert Reichel. But new coach Bob Francis rallied the Coyotes for 39 wins and 90 points last season. ESPN.com takes a Closer Look at Phoenix and what it needs to get better in 2000-01.

Season Review: Playing to potential

	Roenick

Jeremy Roenick's torrid start -- 46 points in the first 32 games -- reflected that of his team. The Coyotes blazed an early trail, winning 17 of the first 26 games. Unfortunately, that means Phoenix only won 22 of the final 56.

A major reason for the semi-swoon was Keith Tkachuk, who played only six regular-season games in February, March and April because of a nagging ankle injury. In the end, Tkachuk played only 50 games, and tallied the fewest goals (22) since his '94-95 season in Winnipeg. Shane Doan (25 goals), Travis Green (25), Greg Adams (19) and rookie Trevor Letowski (19) filled the goal-scoring void left by Tkachuk and Reichel, who remained in Europe over a contract dispute. All-Star defenseman Teppo Numminen was an impressive plus-21.

Sean Burke came over from Florida in a trade and played solid in net. Bob Essensa was superb early on, going 6-0 in November, but he ran out of steam as the season progressed, going 0-4-1 in his final five starts.

The Open Market: Some holes to fill
The Coyotes haven't been too active in the open market, and actually, have lost a few players of worth. The most notable names gone from the roster are Dallas Drake (St. Louis), Essensa (Vancouver), J.J. Daigneault (Minnesota) and Lyle Odelein (Columbus). That is quite a bit of veteran talent out the door. Of course, the changing ownership situation affects the team's ability and desire to acquire talent, but Brad May's nine goals isn't enough. And there are a few more unrestricted free agents the team could lose.

	FREE AGENCY
	Key unsigned free agents: Trevor Letowski, Mikael Renberg, Greg Adams, Sean Burke, Benoit Hogue. Signings/offseason acquisitions: Landon Wilson, Brad May, Chris Joseph, Travis Green, Philip Audet, Dan Focht, Eric Healey, Justin Hocking, Sergei Kuznetsov, Craig Mills.

Wayne Gretzky, part of the new ownership group, has intimated that he'd like to re-sign Khabibulin. It also has been reported that Gretzky might go after Claude Lemieux, who could help get the Coyotes to the second round of the playoffs. But Gretzky can't really do anything yet, and that's a problem.

How to improve: Is it possible?
Tkachuk at 100 percent makes an immediate and positive impact. But after that, there aren't many spots where the team could be better. They lost veterans, a decent backup goalie and two solid defensemen. Young guys like Letowski can pick up some slack, but they will be hard-pressed to make the line from last year completely taut.

The top three scorers are back, but it's revealing that Roenick had 30 more points than the next anyone else. And he had 78 points, not 100-plus.

Now, if the ownership situation gets settled in time, some players can be added to turn the tide. But for now, the holding pattern in Phoenix is taking the 'Yotes backward.

Brian A. Shactman is the NHL editor for ESPN.com.