I'd say the team pulling up stakes and leaving is akin to the sky falling, as far as this forum and the subject matter herein is concerned. Of course I want a team here, but that is beside the point and (again) has nothing to do with my initial comment.
It is a poor severance, particularly when you consider how little they actually get paid, the unwritten logic being that part of the pay is being around the team.
Actually a pretty good post Jakey, different strokes for different folks and all, but man, this sure feels like losing...... and I HATE to lose.If AM doesn't win the auction I'm not sure how much I will watch Utah, or the NHL knowing we won't have a team here for years. I'm a hockey fan, but it doesn't consume my life like some others, especially at my age.
I think all the years of BS surrounding the Coyote's had a bit to do with it, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Life is too short.
It is wrapped up neat and tidy. There's no sense in rushing a team name/logo when you can do it this way, get fans engaged, give them time to get invested in the team, then do a big reveal down the road. Since the NHL let the King Clown and Clown Prince keep the Coyotes name, I'd say this is exactly how you should do it.
Yeah, it was, which also just shows Smith isn't the savior people think he is. Can't really blame him for not wanting to move everyone, but it would have been a nice and classy thing to do. Wonder if the hockey fans in the families of staff will follow the team to Utah? I doubt they'll be sticking it out for Meruelo, at the very least.
Not having a name for the team is way less embarrassing than playing in a 4600-seat arena and not being able to sell it out. The team without a name will be drawing way more than 4600.
I mean this is just false, that arena was routinely sold out.
100%...I'll be surprised if he even wins the auction let alone actually pulls of building that state of art arena they were bragging about. He wants to be one of the big dogs but I think the sad reality is he's not and that tail is going to stay between his legs.
I'm definitely never watching Utah. Screw that. I'm totally with you on everything that happened with the team sucking the joy out of it. Years of being shit on by the NHL and all the owners, decades of relocation drama, all the horrible teams and then Covid, I feel like they consistently pushed me away as a fan. But of all the things that happened, the worst was definitely waiting until they finally were building something that looked like it was going to work and not just a lightning in a bottle single season. They are set up to be adding high end talent for several years to come. That's when they move and that's why I wouldn't piss on Meruelo if he was on fire.If AM doesn't win the auction I'm not sure how much I will watch Utah, or the NHL knowing we won't have a team here for years. I'm a hockey fan, but it doesn't consume my life like some others, especially at my age.
I think all the years of BS surrounding the Coyote's had a bit to do with it, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Life is too short.
No, it wasn't. First season in there, sure. This past season? Rarely.
I agree, but I don't blame AM, at all. He came into a tough spot and did everything right and the organization as a whole was moving in the right direction. Then TED happened. Sure you can blame AM for that, but the NHL knew it could fail because of previous outcomes in other cities. IF TED had succeeded I would venture to guess you and others would be praising AM and the organization. I think the NHL started to realize that the Coyote's could very well be a playoff team as early as next year and did not in no circumstances want a NHL playoff game at the Mullet. There is a long list of people to blame over the years but AM would be at the bottom of my list.
I'm calling they will make the playoffs if we just get a 'medium' upgrade on the defense.
Like I give a f***.
Sorry but what do you mean “we”
That's a pretty big "that". And you can also blame him for f***ing with everyone by releasing that amazing looking arena plan, all the talk about winning the bid, etc. etc. all while planning a sale to Utah in secret. He used an already beaten and beleaguered fan base as a negotiating tactic.
He absolutely will be record setting along with many other Utah HCs since it’ll be year one.
You lost me with "I don't blame AM, at all." There's ONE person who couldn't keep the team playing in Glendale until he had a new arena built. That's the ONLY reason the team is gone. Bettman said it in the damn press conference. He paid what was it, $25 plus mil to get the ASU arena up to NHL standards and had to commit to x amount of years. You're telling me he couldn't have thrown Glendale $25 mil to entice them to sign a short term deal? Horse shit. Meruelo's arrogance is the only reason the team is gone. f*** that guy and his son. May they choke on that billion they made from their grift.
Who in the West will fall out of the playoffs so Utah can grab a wildcard?
www.hockey-reference.com
