Where in the World will the Phoenix Coyotes go?

**Ryan F** · #1 05-13-2009, 09:40 PM

So, it's no secret to hockey fans that the Phoenix Coyotes are performing very poorly financially and are draining the NHL of money. CEO of RIM (makers of BlackBerry) Jim Balsillie has offered $212.5-million US for the team, but with the stipulation that the team be moved to Southern Ontario - either a second Toronto team, Hamilton (between Toronto and Buffalo), or somewhere else. Balsillie has tried before to purchase the Nashville Predators, but NHL commissioner Gary Bettman put a stop to that.

Bettman seems to be completely against the deal, and has even stated he would like to see a team in either Las Vegas (seriously?) or Kansas City. The legal battle that is about to ensue will be a big one and is being watched just as much as the playoffs right now. To complicate matters even more, Coyotes owner has filed for bankruptcy protection and will now be taken up in court later this month.

Websites like Make it Seven have shown that a majority of Canadians want a 7th team in Canada (it is our game, after all), and would support it. Why have a team in the desert that can barely sell any tickets, when it can be moved to Ontario and have fans that would actually support it.

Now I ask, what do you think of all of this? Where do you think the Coyotes should go, or should they stay?

Komatz70 · #2 05-13-2009, 10:06 PM

I think Winnipeg should get a team back...Its only right we should have the return of the Jets...

**Leo C** · #3 05-13-2009, 10:18 PM

I already know the Hamilton name from the AHL or EHL. I think bringing the Winnipeg Jets back would be cooler. I even forgot the Phoenix Coyotes existed after Roenick came to the Flyers. I just remembered they were around a year ago.

Kyle L · #4 05-13-2009, 11:50 PM

I think they should move to Canada...I'm not sure what other good hockey markets there are in the U.S.

Fastdawg07 · #5 05-14-2009, 01:20 AM

Well, what about Seattle? I mean, its not known for hockey, but its up near Canada, in the US and could provide a rival with Vancouver in the Upper Northwest. That and it could stay in the Pacific Division and wouldn't need realigning.

**Jimmy B** · #6 05-14-2009, 01:38 AM

Seattle, Washington would be a good place, other good cities I think would be:

Portland, Oregon
Salt Lake, Utah
Indianapolis, Indiana

Of those cities, I'd love to see is Salt Lake City, having hosted the 2002 Olympics, they should be able to support a hockey team.

**Ryan F** · #7 05-14-2009, 02:05 AM

I can see Seattle, and maybe Salt Lake City working out for a team, but in the end I do think Canada deserves and needs another team.
I'd really like to see an old team come back, Winnipeg Jets or Hartford Whalers (not Canadian, but still) especially.

89magnumxl200 · #8 05-14-2009, 10:33 AM

Canada deserves another team, but not in Ontario.Winnipeg and Quebec are much more deserving Canadian cities than Hamilton. As for US cities (which won't happen) I'd say Milwaukee, Seattle, and Hartford. I would say Cleveland, but they're so latched on to LeBron's balls right now that they don't really have the time for hockey.

Fastdawg07 · #9 05-14-2009, 02:59 PM

I definitely think Canada needs a team though. I was just throwing out Seattle because outside of Vancouver there really aren't any teams in the Upper Northwest.

Michael C · #10 05-16-2009, 03:32 PM

I don't see why Las Vegas woudl be such a bad choice. The city itself have over a half million live in population. Tourists would provide a bust in attendance. The county has a population just under 2 million. The city has been trying to get in professional teams. They were fighting for the Montreal expos before they went to DC.

Why Should Canada get a 7th team.

**Ryan F** · #11 05-16-2009, 05:04 PM

Las Vegas would probably be the same as Phoenix. I doubt the arena would be very close to the strip, meaning that tourists would have to travel off the strip to see them. If Vegas were to get a sports team, their best bets would probably be baseball or football.

Apparently someone else put in an offer of around $120mil to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix. It would be beyond stupid if they took that offer. The owners can take $212.5mil to move the team to an area where the team would have tons of fans and support (equaling lots of sales and revenue), or take much less money and keep the team in a market that clearly doesn't really care for hockey.

Canada should get a 7th team because Canada can actually support hockey teams. Arenas are either always sold out or near capacity. We've already lost two teams to the US, one to a market that failed (Winnipeg to Phoenix) and one that isn't so bad (Quebec City to Colorado). Oh yea, it's also our game.

**Ryan F** · #12 05-20-2009, 10:33 PM

The National Post did a great live update thing from the bankruptcy court yesterday.
Live, from bankruptcy court, it's the future of the Phoenix Coyotes - Posted Sports

Some of the best quotes:

Quote:

4:56 p.m. Judge Redfield Baum is taking issue with the NHL's claim the proxy agreements — under which they took control of the team — are not clear. He referenced a long "run-on" sentence.
4:57 p.m. Baum made reference to 600 or 700 court documents he has had to read in this case.
5:01 p.m. "Are the words 'sole' or 'exclusive power' in there? I don't remember." — Baum.
NHL lawyer says not explicitly, but the meaning is there.
"So, the answer to my quesation is no?" — Baum.
5:05 p.m. Judge Baum: "To save the suspense, I'm not going to rule from the bench today."
5:13 p.m. NHL counsel stammering, struggling to convince Baum they were in as much power and authority as they claimed.
5:43 p.m. Salerno on relocation: NHL wants to keep the Southern Ontario market for itself — implied expansion fees, etc. — which leaves them in conflict in this case.
Judge says, "I'll leave that one alone for the moment."
5:47 p.m. "This team does not make money in this market ... The NHL in this market, it's like a dog chasing a car." — Salerno
6:27 p.m. Salerno (for Moyes): The Coyotes could lose up to $30-million if they are forced to stay in Phoenix next year.
6:36 p.m. Judge Redfield T. Baum ordered the NHL and Phoenix Coyotes into mediation in an effort to determine who is in control of the team, ordering them to return with a report on May 27. Court is in recess.
7:20 p.m. NHL is prepared to fund the Coyotes through the sale process, to make sure they survive.
7:28 p.m. Baum: sale of the Coyotes should be an auction, with the suggestion the highest bid wins. Does not rule out NHL's ability to vet those bidders.
8:20 p.m. Baum: Further briefs on sale, relocation due on June 12. Oral arguments on June 22.
8:32 p.m. Arguments continue. Salerno, lawyer for Moyes, is still pushing to see the alleged interest/bid for the Coyotes from Jerry Reinsdorf. Reinsdorf is chairman of the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bulls.
8:33 p.m. Baum and Salerno, discussing the desire to see the Reinsdorf interest, are interrupted by someone listening in on the phone. That person, who was not identified, said "f----- eh." It was carried on the speaker, throughout the court. Judge Baum was not amused.

Seems like the NHL made anything that Moyes had to sign confusing to understand, also looks like they're trying to hid any other offer for the Coyotes. My guess is because it's far below Balsillie's offer. The mediation will do nothing as both sides are firm on their stances that they each own the team. If the sale does go to an auction and the team is allowed to move, it's no question that the Coyotes will be in Ontario in 2 seasons.

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