Phoenix LXXV: It's Like Deja Vu All Over Again

[madhi19]

Now there's a can of worms.

I think the general consensus is that if it's QC, they'd have to play in the Pacific for a couple of years before realignment is reviewed.

I really want them to play in the west for a few years just for the sake of maybe winning the West. That banner would look so ironic in
Qc!

 

[Killion]

With the season ending for the team on saturday evening, the league will
make an announcement next week in conjunction with the AMUL signing.

... they wont be renewing the AMUL if they are indeed leaving town mesa.

and ya, comment made by Wings Defenceman Ian White during the Lockout; I gotta be honest; I personally think he's an idiot. Since he's come in, I think he's done nothing but damage the league.... hard not to agree, and here yet another example.

 

[MaskedSonja]

If there isn't an owner in place, and the NHL decides to run the team for another year (or two, or three) in Phoenix-can't see Tippett et al really being comfortable with possibly continuing uncertainty going forward, that would hurt the Yotes losing a coach who's really done wonders for them. Have to wonder if Mike Smith also decides to boot off (maybe back to TB?)

 

[Major4Boarding]

...or they are just concentrating on the playoffs?

I wouldn't be so quick to find full solace into that notion... that their gearing up for the playoffs, therefore the silence. Recall the 2010-2011 season (pre-playoffs and ultimately in the middle of the playoffs) and the situation with the Thrashers. Sorry to re-open old wounds, Thrasher fans:

April 10th, 2011 - Thrashers down to last game of season, unclear about future

However, there have been no serious negotiations beyond that preliminary step to date.

“Nothing is imminent,” co-owner Bruce Levenson told the AJC on Friday. “We continue to be involved in the process of sharing information with potential buyers about their interest in Atlanta. It is an ongoing process.”

April 10th, 2011 - Waddell: Thrashers ownership not talking to anyone about relocating team

It looks like the Atlanta Thrashers sale process is going to take a while.

Thrashers President Don Waddell talked to the press after Atlanta’s season-ending 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon and according to one of the team’s longest tenured employees, the process for the sale of Atlanta’s hockey team is still ongoing.

“It’s been a work in progress,” Waddell said. “We’re certainly going to continue to move forward and do everything possible to keep this team in Atlanta.”

Further

At least publically - for now - the Thrashers organization is denying that any sort of negotiations are in place to relocate the franchise. When asked if anyone in ownership was talking to folks looking to relocate the team, Waddell responded: “No. Not at all.”

Any sale of the team to local investors that will keep the team here is in the early stages, at best according to the Thrashers’ President. “We’ve had lots of people interested,” Waddell said. “We’ve had a couple of people move to the next step. Nothing is close at all. It’s a work in progress.”

April 20th, 2011 - Thrashers Get Support From An Atlanta Hero

ATLANTA -- Tom Glavine is searching for investors to try and keep Atlanta's troubled hockey franchise in Atlanta.

The former Braves pitcher told 11Alive's Fred Kalil and Jerry Carnes he could not afford the $80 - $100 million to buy the Thrashers himself, but is trying to find investors interested, and could end up a part owner.

Further

USA Today Hockey beat writer Kevin Allen said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman would likely want the Thrashers to stay put. "If you look at Gary Bettman's history as commissioner, he's always wanted to keep teams in the cities where they're located," said Allen.

Allen said his sources are indicating there at least one group interested in buying into the Thrashers and keeping them in Atlanta.

"I think right now there's no sense that the Thrashers are going to move," said Allen.

April 20th, 2011 - Bettman has 'no expectation other than to think' Thrashers will stay in Atlanta

“I think everybody agrees (the Thrashers owners are) looking for new ownership,” Bettman said. “As we have this conversation (on Wednesday), I have no expectation other than they are going to be in Atlanta.”
...

“If the Coyotes lose (on Wednesday), I assure you I have no announcement to make,” he said. “I have no deal. ... We still have time. … At some point if this doesn't come together, everybody's going to conclude that everything's been done and it's not going to work.

“It's not days and it's not years. Obviously we have to have this resolved before we release next year's schedule.”

April 28th, 2011 - WINNIPEG MAYOR DOUBTS COYOTES' RETURN; THRASHERS ON DECK?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=363831

According to sources, if a deal is made to keep the Coyotes in Glendale, there's a chance the Thrashers will move quickly into negotiations with True North to move the team to Winnipeg. A source close to the situation added that when it comes to relocation, there simply isn't anywhere else to go.

...

League sources say the negotiations to close the sale in Glendale are ongoing and that no decision has been reached yet, while all involved are hopeful a resolution can be reached no later than next week.

May 12th, 2011 - Bruce Levenson (ASG) Interviewed by Jeff Hullinger (11Alive)



I'm skipping the last 2 weeks leading up to the sale announcement. This current situation has had everything truncated to the front end. The gears are grinding, but the silence or lack of tangible news (and thus speculation) shouldn't be taken as simply gearing up for the playoffs.

Silence has never been an indication of anything in this mess.

I stopped getting responses from the CoG a month ago now, so something is up.

 

[majicman*]

NDA in effect explains a lot.

I would imagine that if the NHL were close to an actual sale, they would be loudly trumpeting the fact. I know that any other sale that's been "close" has had a lot of publicity, and I get the idea that they may want to try something different and stay away from publicity to help complete the sale, but I would imagine that Gary's ego would want to shove it in the face of naysayers if the team were close to staying in Glendale.

No news for Coyotes' fans is bad news.

 

[XX]

So is it confirmed that the NHL has yet to touch the second $25m in escrow? Possible hush payment in exchange for not blocking a relocation? Weiers would do that in a heartbeat.

 

[Killion]

So is it confirmed that the NHL has yet to touch the second $25m in escrow? Possible hush payment in exchange for not blocking a relocation? Weiers would do that in a heartbeat.

Yes, its' strange. Not sure what to make of it, whether its connected to the NHLPA's claims or what. As for it being a "hush payment"? Why would that be required? The Nhl's free & clear, open road if they want to take it and the money.

 

[OthmarAmmann]

The Darin Pastor and Anthony LeBlanc stories are essentially worthless.

We there is the entertainment value.

Submit written notice to Glendale of AMUL extension within 3 days of end of season. That's it. NHL retains control of Jobing.com and team has venue to play in for next season. There is date certainty with that. They extend or AMUL expires at end of next week. To stay in Glendale after that, the league would have to respond to the Glendale RFP; get a sub-lease from the eventual arena manager; or get the city to rescind the RFP and give the NHL another Prof Svcs agmt.

Professional?

.

Pastor?

 

[majicman*]

Dreger, just mentioned a "key" component to a deal. I guess members are busy getting ready to "watch" the NFL draft. 8pm est NFL network and ESPN.

 

[pondnorth]

Yes, its' strange. Not sure what to make of it, whether its connected to the NHLPA's claims or what. As for it being a "hush payment"? Why would that be required? The Nhl's free & clear, open road if they want to take it and the money.

Is it possible last years long playoff run cut losses to the point of the 25m in escrow (thought it was 20m) may be going to pay for some of this short season losses?

 

[TheLegend]

????? Bettman, Pastor, Gosbee--- last home game tomorrow night and not one word from any of these fraudsters!!! A shame the NHL leadership felt the need to deceive the paying patrons of the city of Phoenix and suburbs! More evidence that GB is a narcissist, only capable of enhancing his own over inflated ego!

And the significance of this latest rant is???????????????

 

[powerstuck]

I think the league must know something we don't, that is how it works.

As far as PKP, maybe he is waiting for expansion? Or doesn't want to pay an inflated price for a team? There has been no indication from PKP, the NHL or anyone as to how this is going.

Lack of news is just that...no news.

As far as I am concerned, many of us here on HF-BOH do believe an established team is a better asset than an expansion team.

So, unless Coyotes sale price is over $250M it should not be a valid enough reason for PKP to prefer EXPANSION over RELOCATION.

Is it possible last years long playoff run cut losses to the point of the 25m in escrow (thought it was 20m) may be going to pay for some of this short season losses?

Might be. As well a shorter season so if losses for 41 home games were the speculated $30ishM for last season, this season's 24 games could not have put the costs much over $20ishM.

 

[objectiveposter]

Darren Dregger just said Ice Edge and Gosbee are the front runners to buy the team and they may have a deal by next week...

 

[TheLegend]

Good enough for me. I consider you about the most well informed poster on this forum, so if your opinion is no strategic value in delay, then I put a lot of value on that.



Not definitely but the extension is only the sure way for the team to have a venue to play in next season. It doesn't seem probable that the NHL would allow a franchise to be homeless. So they'd either need to extend or have a relocation out in hand ...unless you want to venture into the dubious territory of side deals, conspiracies, or bid rigging schemes that would give the NHL certainty about using Jobing.com Arena without participating in the RFP process. I'm not inclined to believe there's the will or skill to pull something like that off.

Not to fan the conspiracy flames here but.... As was pointed out a thread or two back... Beacon has a history with Reinsdorfs and their backdooring of a sports facility management deal in CA that did result in a lawsuit.

However, I'm really agreeing with your outlook of it CF.

NHL really has no reason to go that route since they have a renewable AMUL at their disposal.

BTW.... IIRC the city and the NHL modified that agreement this past season to a month-to-month basis and the city wasn't being charged for it. Not sure where that puts it all in perspective, but I do remember that change.

 

[TheLegend]

Darren Dregger just said Ice Edge and Gosbee are the front runners to buy the team and they may have a deal by next week...

Can't be true..... it's not two weeks.

 

[majicman*]

Should be elated not ranting? Our friend believes he is getting his wish. The days are "pregnant" Nothing more to say.

And the significance of this latest rant is???????????????

A little too "tardy" to the party eh. I'm too busy watching the NFL draft, and already knew that.

Can't be true..... it's not two weeks.

 

[Killion]

Is it possible last years long playoff run cut losses to the point of the 25m in escrow (thought it was 20m) may be going to pay for some of this short season losses?

Honestly your guess is as good as mine or anyone elses'. I have absolutely no idea why the NHL would just leave $20M sitting in escrow for almost a year now when legally they had every right to withdraw it. Your suggestion does make some sense, as they had a deep run last year, losses not nearly as bad as they once were, not a whole lot of freebee's through the season etc...

Darren Dregger just said Ice Edge and Gosbee are the front runners to buy the team and they may have a deal by next week...

Interesting. Gosbee would absolutely get on the line to TSN, Sportsnet or whomever and absolutely refute/deny a false claim or story involving his name so theres got to be something serious going on here with this guy, and he's loaded. Mega-bucks.

The days are "pregnant".

They certainly are that. Good way of putting it.

 

[Ugmo]

Interesting. Gosbee would absolutely get on the line to TSN, Sportsnet or whomever and absolutely refute/deny a false claim or story involving his name so theres got to be something serious going on here with this guy, and he's loaded. Mega-bucks.

Won't they feel dumb that they got in after the old city council was offering hundreds of millions in subsidies?

 

[Mightygoose]

Darren Dregger just said Ice Edge and Gosbee are the front runners to buy the team and they may have a deal by next week...

This actually makes sense.

Now that the season is over the NHL will 'finish' their vetting process, have the white smoke rising out from the chimney of the Bettman Chapel, present their chosen one to the city.

From there it's time to try and suqeeze one last drop (or gallon) or blood from ye old Glendale Rock.

Ball goes back into CoG's court once again to save the team. If the offer doesn't suit Mr. Gosbee's liking. It's 'no thanks' and the NHL says 'we tried' and off to plan B.

One week sounds about right

 

[Llama19]

Now that the season is over the NHL will 'finish' their vetting process, have the white smoke rising out from the chimney of the Bettman Chapel, present their chosen one to the city.

From there it's time to try and suqeeze one last drop (or gallon) or blood from ye old Glendale Rock.

Ball goes back into CoG's court once again to save the team. If the offer doesn't suit Mr. Gosbee's liking. It's 'no thanks' and the NHL says 'we tried' and off to plan B.

One week sounds about right

Darren Dregger just said Ice Edge and Gosbee are the front runners to buy the team and they may have a deal by next week...

Link to video (approx. 3:05 time mark):

http://video.tsn.ca/videohub.aspx?dl=pipe42/latest/1/0/913270/clip/0#pipe42/latest

Hoo's there!

 

[majicman*]

No, resident experts here have stated Mr. Gosbee is a "fraud" etc. No need to "vett" anyone. Why portend to know the future?

This actually makes sense.

Now that the season is over the NHL will 'finish' their vetting process, have the white smoke rising out from the chimney of the Bettman Chapel, present their chosen one to the city.

From there it's time to try and suqeeze one last drop (or gallon) or blood from ye old Glendale Rock.

Ball goes back into CoG's court once again to save the team. If the offer doesn't suit Mr. Gosbee's liking. It's 'no thanks' and the NHL says 'we tried' and off to plan B.

One week sounds about right

 

[Ugmo]

Link to video (approx. 3:05 time mark):

http://video.tsn.ca/videohub.aspx?dl=pipe42/latest/1/0/913270/clip/0#pipe42/latest

"Some say there's a chance...."

Doesn't sound all that hopeful.

 

[Mightygoose]

No, resident experts here have stated Mr. Gosbee is a "fraud" etc. No need to "vett" anyone. Why portend to know the future?

Who says anything about Gosbee being a fraud?

All the league needs, is someone to shake the tree one last time and see what comes out one last time and he seems just the fit....cloudy the future is.....

 

[Llama19]

Our View: Private Council continues to rain on sunshine law

To quote:

"Four months in office, 14 scheduled executive sessions later, the Glendale City Council is still leaving us hanging out to dry.

The council has privately discussed an external audit, a forensic audit, the Jobing.com Arena management deal, the performance of two top city staffers, the Arizona Cardinals’ football training camp and more.

We get it; some matters need to be discussed away from the public’s prying eyes and ears. And many eyes and ears are locked on to Glendale’s negotiations with the NHL and potential buyers for the Phoenix Coyotes."

Source: http://www.azcentral.com/insiders/westvalleyeditorials/2013/04/25/our-view-private-council-continues-to-rain-on-sunshine-law/

Everything Coyotes related will probably be in one, marathon council meeting, as has been the case in previous presentations with 'potential' owners.

Hoo's there!

 

[majicman*]

Quote is in reference to the "time frame" on papers being completed, not the deal itself. Comment in reference as to not "expect" for a given that things will be completed "as early as next week". It helps to listen and not just hear what you want.

"Some say there's a chance...."

Doesn't sound all that hopeful.