The Phoenix Issue

for those not voting for the first option…

I’ve stated my support for the ‘Yotes and their fans before, and I’m stating it again.

Also, I think I am allergic to sharp implements…

Tough, tough question. I think the big fear with the Reinsdorf bid is that he’s going to want an out clause and put the fans through this again in five years, but the market, like Nashville, likely deserves its second chance. It will be a long, long road to profitability for them.

Unrelated to that question, however, the NHL really should find a way to get into Southern Ontario and get another huge revenue producing team in the mix. There are plenty of people not named Balsillie who would step up to own said franchise; the league should get onboard with making this a priority if (a) a team has to move at some point or (b) there’s expansion.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last three months, rumblings about the legal issues Phoenix is currently facing have managed to worm their way into your consciousness.

Wait, there’s a hockey team in Phoenix!

Balsillie thinking they could move the team to Hamilton before the season starts just shows how little he cares about the rest of the league. It would be a nightmare for schedule changes or travel, especially for the rest of the Pacific. He just wants his new toy. And the guy wonders why the BoG rejected him as an owner…

Keep it six. Even if it means there’s six games every season that I get way more worried about than I should.

Why can’t the Coyotes stay in Phoenix, Balsillie doesn’t get a team, and Atlanta moves to Canada and we’ll all be happy.

But in the end, I’m a West Coast Hockey Fan. I root for the teams in so called “Non-traditional markets.” Because if the Coyotes move, it’s not going to be long before some igloo-dwelling, Tim-Horton chomping, oot and abooting, Leafs rootin’ Canadian extremist says that hockey doesn’t belong in California and insists the Sharks move to Regina /end snark.

There is already one group of fans (those in Winnipeg) who have had to see this team uprooted. I hate to ask another group of fans go through the same thing because I think the financials and the logistics work better somewhere else. It’d be hypocritical on my part.

Honestly, I don’t think any team in a non-traditional market should be moved unless nobody shows up when the team is successful. Actually, that should be the watershed for all teams – playoff team, low attendance, then you move. Of course teams that have been bad on the ice for the past few years aren’t going to do well – unless they are Montreal or Toronto, that is. But those two should serve as the exception, rather than the rule as some fans seem to think.

I really do think that Phoenix can be a viable hockey city, as long as the right group of people are in charge and they have a competent coach. And then maybe they can have their own version of the Jamie Baker goal.

[…] the Maple Leafs are attempting to block a second Ontario team

It would be a third Ontario team, yes? Ottawa is the second.

My only concern is getting and keeping butts in the seats.

If they can do that, and commit to doing that for the foreseeable future, then all should be good.

Maybe we should trade Ehrhoff, Cheech and Luko for Doan and some picks! Those 3 marquee Sharks players sure will help get some butts on the seats in Phoenix! And what’s Doan done anyway? We’d be doing them a favor!

(/End Dreamland)

Hockey needs to spread, and staying in PHX would help that. Plus, a move to anywhere besides Las Vegas, really, would throw off the divisions.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’d be absolutely down to watch hockey at the Cow Palace again :)