The Coyotes signed DARCY REGIER to a multiyear contract to serve as Senior VP & Assistant GM. He previously spent 17 years as Sabres GM (Coyotes). In Phoenix, Sarah McLellan noted the Coyotes "finally filled out their front-office staff," as the assistant GM post "had been left vacant since BRAD TRELIVING left in late April" to become Flames GM. Regier's 17 years with the Sabres was the "longest tenure in team history -- before he was fired last November." Regier said Coyotes GM DON MALONEY gauged his interest in the position "quite a while ago." But he added that a "family trip overseas in May and then ironing out contract [details] pushed the hire back until July." McLellan noted the addition also "coincides with the beginning of a new fiscal year, which both sides saw as appropriate." Regier's duties will "cover the entire hockey operations department -- from working with the team's minor-league affiliate and scouting the pros and amateurs to being involved in adding NHL players, dealing with contracts and handling staffing issues" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 7/4). In Buffalo, Bucky Gleason writes Regier's experience "will serve him well with the Coyotes." His new position "appears to suit his personality." He can "concentrate on evaluating players and work behind the scenes without worrying about the hassles of dealing with the public and the pressure that comes with the top job." Maloney "certainly doesn't need to worry about Regier challenging him" (BUFFALO NEWS, 7/7).
