The Coyotes will have Schenn (6-foot-2, 229 pounds) work with Playfair and skating coach Dawn Braid to make his game more compatible with the quicker NHL.
"It's gotten so much faster, and you have to constantly be skating because there are so many more skilled, quick players that are dangerous," Schenn said. "It's a part of my game I want to enhance."
Schenn said his 43 games in Los Angeles after being traded to the Kings with forward Vincent Lecavalier on Jan. 6 left him impressed with the Western Conference.
"It's a different style of game, a lot of bigger bodies but a ton of skilled guys too," he said. "I enjoyed it personally. The Pacific Division is one of the most competitive, if not the most competitive division, in the League. Arizona has an up-and-coming team and it's an awesome chance to play there and grow with the team."
The Coyotes have eight defensemen with an NHL contract: Ekman-Larsson, Goligoski, Schenn, Kevin Connauton, Klas Dahlbeck, Zbynek Michalek and restricted free agents Connor Murphy and Michael Stone.
Chayka, who was named GM on May 5, has been looking to add a defenseman to play in the top four and said that remains a priority.
"We have lots of options," he said. "I don't think we're happy with where our overall group is, both forwards and defense. We're looking to improve and we have some depth to offer. There is still a lot to be played out in the market and we're going to continue to be active."