1452 replies to this topic

[thedisappearer]

Because raw population is doing wonders for the Islanders or Coyotes, right? Population means nothing if that population has no interest in what's being offered.

Right. But that's the other half of the debate. We're discussing cities that are interested in what is being offered.

[betterREDthandead]

Because raw population is doing wonders for the Islanders or Coyotes, right? Population means nothing if that population has no interest in what's being offered.

Again though. Not the argument I'm making. Don't know how you figure I am. Having rabid interest in what's offered means nothing if there aren't enough people around.

[Cern]

Again though. Not the argument I'm making. Don't know how you figure I am. Having rabid interest in what's offered means nothing if there aren't enough people around.

I'm gonna have to shelf this for the moment, I'm far too deep into GRRRRR HULK SMASH RAGE mode at this game right now.

[LivoniaGrinder]

Before this bulls*** game I would have been pissed off about this news because I live in Phoenix. Now I just don't care. f*** the NHL, f*** Anaheim and most of all f*** GARY BETTMAN. I'll never spend another red cent on any NHL merchandise, tickets or video streams/centerice.

[F.Michael]

Anyone else here think Bettman is gonna find a way to screw things up even more (finding a way to void any sale to Balsillie, & allowing the team then to move to Vegas).

[sjradio]

A few things

1. When Copps Coliseum was constructed, it was designed to bring in an NHL team from expansion or relocation.
In fact Hamilton was one of the cities that was considered for the current Ottawa Senators.

2. Copps does hold about 17,000 for hockey, however the NHL's rules say that a team to be relocated or expanded to would have to have a building that seats 18.500 for hockey, whether that means that an existing arena has to be upgraded and expanded, or a new one has to be constructed.

3. Of course Bettman is against it, he's been against Balsillie getting a team for a while. He's been against Balsillie since he tried to buy and move the Pens, when he tried to buy and move the Preds. So Bettman will not stop now. Balsillie won't quit and neither will Bettman. If the NHL didn't come out as strongly against the Coyotes bankruptcy then he would be admitting that Bettman failed. He would have to admit that the relocation of the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix was a mistake... and that won't happen.

[webwing91]

#@$!$! . After watching that game I hear that the Coyotes filed for bankruptcy and will be moved. FFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As a hockey fan in Glendale, F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hockey could have survived here, make no mistake about it. Just terrible management, awuful coaching. Worst of all... Hamilton is getting a team poised for the future. Loaded with young talent that just needs a bit of grooming. With a little money this team will be quite competitive in no time. And just as I was telling everybody here how Shane Doan is the athlete in Phoenix that has given most to this city, in terms of commitment, yet no one knows who he is (longest serving pro athlete for the city). I wish Hamilton was getting what this franchise was four or five years ago, loaded with old over the hill vets that can't play, and absolutely no talent in the system. Atleast I would have time . After suffering through all those years of crap, finally some hope in the future and now this? I haven't cussed in my life... but this makes me want to. I'm so pissed right now... I really don't even have words. I knw many of you are going to respond with "get over it, hockey doesn't even belong in Phx" but I don't care. As a passionate fan of the sport, after watching the Wings lose to the freaking Ducks, and then hearing that I'm not going to have hockey here anymore... It sucks.


Feel your pain LivoniaGrinder.

[F.Michael]

A few things

1. When Copps Coliseum was constructed, it was designed to bring in an NHL team from expansion or relocation.
In fact Hamilton was one of the cities that was considered for the current Ottawa Senators.

2. Copps does hold about 17,000 for hockey, however the NHL's rules say that a team to be relocated or expanded to would have to have a building that seats 18.500 for hockey, whether that means that an existing arena has to be upgraded and expanded, or a new one has to be constructed.

3. Of course Bettman is against it, he's been against Balsillie getting a team for a while. He's been aginst Balsillie since he tried to buy and move the Pens, when he tried to buy and move the Preds. So Bettman will not stop now. Balsillie won't quit and neither will Bettman. If the NHL didn't come out as strongly against the Coyotes bankruptcy then he would be admitting that Bettman failed. He would have to admit that the relocation of the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix was a mistake... and that won't happen.

Thought the minimum was 15,000.

Edited by F.Michael, 06 May 2009 - 01:50 AM.

[sjradio]

A former co-worker of mine lived out in Portland and they built the Rose Garden according to NBA and NHL guidelines, in case they were ever to get an NHL team, which was 18,500. The same is true of the Sprint Center in KC, it holds 18,500. However I see that the Jobing.com arena in Glendale holds 17,799. So I could be wrong.

[Shoreline]

Hamilton would do fine. Bettman won't be able to stick to his guns now unless he can find a miracle buyer in an area with little interest toward a hockey club.

[Duck Guy]

Move them to socal.... Anaheim coyotes of Los Angeles

[F.Michael]

Move them to socal.... Anaheim coyotes of Los Angeles

Sacramento here we come!

[YoungGuns1340]

A former co-worker of mine lived out in Portland and they built the Rose Garden according to NBA and NHL guidelines, in case they were ever to get an NHL team, which was 18,500. The same is true of the Sprint Center in KC, it holds 18,500. However I see that the Jobing.com arena in Glendale holds 17,799. So I could be wrong.

Then it could be that NBA guidelines are 18,500, but not the NHL...

[cusimano_brothers]

If I heard correctly, a "side deal" was made without the League knowing about it. Balsillie's offer for the franchise: 212-million dollars. The League is going to let the courts decide the outcome.
Yeah, here's the story:
TSN.
Egos aside, the League is foolish if they don't look at this offer seriously.

[ManLuv4Clears]

Dickhead gets his two cents in:

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=4146333

I especially love this:

We generally try to avoid relocating franchises unless you absolutely have to," he said. "We think when a franchise is in trouble, you try and fix the problems. That's what we did in Pittsburgh and Ottawa and Buffalo prior to our work stoppage. That's what we did when the perception was that five out of the six Canadian franchises around the turn of the century were in trouble. We fixed the problems. We don't run out on cities."

Right, see Hartford, Minnesota, Quebec, and Winnipeg.

[evilmrt]

This is a horrible time for Arizona hockey fans. First Phoenix loses its minor league team, now they're probably going to lose its NHL team as well. That leaves one team in the whole state, the CHL Arizona Sundogs based in Prescott.

I hate to see it happen, but the team was just an utter failure in so many ways. If there is a buyer who wants to keep it in Glendale, AND has a solid turn-around plan....fine. But it has to be as attractive as a move to Hamilton/Kitchener/Waterloo...slim chances of that.

As far as Bettman not liking this....it may not matter at all....

From the azcentral article:

However, attorneys involved in the bankruptcy filing said a bankruptcy judge could overrule the NHL if the court finds the sale is in the best interest of creditors. Scudder added that the NHL may have to fight federal antitrust laws if it refuses to let the Coyotes move.

[CanadaBoy]

Bettman says NHL committed to Phoenix franchise

http://www.nhl.com/i...s.htm?id=421711

[evilmrt]

Wow, this is getting interesting...I'm going to attempt to do a round-up of current developments with the Coyotes:

While Bettman is staying firm on keeping the team in Arizona....NHLPA Director Paul Kelly came out in support of a move to Southern Ontario:

"Obviously if Phoenix could have gotten new ownership and new investment and turned it around and made it a profitable franchise, we would have been very supportive," he said in an interview.

"If that can't happen, and I have said it many times, I think the league should look seriously at putting another team in southern Ontario, either in Toronto or in the Hamilton-Kitchener area. There is incredible enthusiasm for hockey in southern Ontario. Certainly they could support a second team."

NHLPA supports Coyotes Move - CBC


Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper even threw in his support today (meanwhile no comments from even the Mayor of Glendale, let alone the Governor of Arizona or anyone else):

Stephen Harper says the region could support a second NHL club, which could become a reality if Research In Motion co-CEO Jim Balsillie has his way.

While Harper didn't want to comment specifically on the Balsillie deal, he did say he's tried to talk up southern Ontario to the NHL.

PM Harper on Coyotes move


KHL League owner Alexander Medvedev has expressed his desire to purchase an NHL team, and made comments about Quebec City in particular:

"We have considered 10 opportunities, we have short-listed three and we continue to look at these three teams," Medvedev said Tuesday at the IIHF World Hockey Championship. "We will just make our due diligence.

"It's a very strange situation when real hockey (cities) like Quebec don't have an NHL team."

KHL Owner wants an NHL team - TSN


And finally, an article on why Phoenix isn't to blame for the Coyote's trouble, and a new legal hurdle for the NHL and Bettman to overcome if they want to keep the team in the desert:

"An overt incentive of taxpayer dollars to bail out the Coyotes to keep them in Glendale would ring serious alarm bells," said Clint Bolick, lead attorney for the Goldwater Institute, good enough to sport a 2-0 record in the U.S. Supreme Court. "We don't think the taxpayers should be asked to throw good money after bad, and we would be very interested in challenging further taxpayer subsidies.

"If people want to gamble on hockey in the desert, we prefer they not do it with taxpayer dollars."

So, even if the Coyotes rally to find a new buyer with an array of concessions, a watchdog group can sink them into legal Jell-O. And at that point, Bettman may be forced to pull up stakes and concede his private battle with Jim Balsillie, the BlackBerry billionaire who has already tried to purchase the Penguins and the Predators.

Arizona Republic article on Yotes

This is a mess and we'll find out more at tomorrow's court hearing in Phoenix.

Edited by evilmrt, 06 May 2009 - 03:27 PM.

[The Enforcer]

Good riddance, I look forward to a new team in Canada. f*** bettman.....

[DatsMyWings13]

Good riddance, I look forward to a new team in Canada. f*** bettman.....

Nicely put.