All Things Hockey:

[zurch1818]

As the resident Coyotes fan on the site, I can say the ownership over the last 5 years or so has not been the problem. Their owners have actually been decent. They even traded for Taylor Hall in 2019.

Although their stadium is/(was?) decent, I feel their location has been their problem.  It is in Glendale (a western suburb) right next to the Cardinals stadium and most of the money is in the eastern suburbs (Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Gilbert, etc). With traffic, it can be a 0:45 minutes to 1:15 minutes away through downtown Phoenix which just isn't really feasible for a snowbird population with other team loyalties. This is why Tempe was so attractive. They actually played last year in aptly named Mullett Arena, the brand new 5,000 seat ASU arena last year.

I wasn't a fan of theirs until maybe 2011 or 2012 when I got good with them in the video game and was blacked out of watching the Wild (no FSN+ access) and thought they could move to WI someday, so I don't know why they built the stadium in Glendale in 2003. My guess is it must have been political.

I'm also excited for their upcoming youth. It has the feel of the 2005 to 2008 Brewers. Hopefully if they relocate, it will not be in a city I despise.

[homer]

I lived in AZ when they were looking at sites for the new arena. The one on Scottsdale Road south of Old Town would have been really cool. I forget why they didn't go that route. I think there were concerns about traffic and highway access. There was also talk about a light rail extension up Scottsdale Road but that didn't happen so maybe that played into it.

[owbc]

9 hours ago, zurch1818 said:

As the resident Coyotes fan on the site, I can say the ownership over the last 5 years or so has not been the problem. Their owners have actually been decent. They even traded for Taylor Hall in 2019.

Although their stadium is/(was?) decent, I feel their location has been their problem.  It is in Glendale (a western suburb) right next to the Cardinals stadium and most of the money is in the eastern suburbs (Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Gilbert, etc). With traffic, it can be a 0:45 minutes to 1:15 minutes away through downtown Phoenix which just isn't really feasible for a snowbird population with other team loyalties. This is why Tempe was so attractive. They actually played last year in aptly named Mullett Arena, the brand new 5,000 seat ASU arena last year.

I wasn't a fan of theirs until maybe 2011 or 2012 when I got good with them in the video game and was blacked out of watching the Wild (no FSN+ access) and thought they could move to WI someday, so I don't know why they built the stadium in Glendale in 2003. My guess is it must have been political.

I'm also excited for their upcoming youth. It has the feel of the 2005 to 2008 Brewers. Hopefully if they relocate, it will not be in a city I despise.

My understanding is that the move to Glendale was a result of clashing with the Suns' ownership and the Suns' arena not being designed for hockey. Obviously it was a poor decision in retrospect. Then the NHL had to take over the team in 2009. The saga with Glendale has been well documented over the past 10 years. The current ownership supposedly didn't pay rent because of a "clerical error" (yeah right) and now they play at a 4,500 seat college arena because there are no better options. The current owner sees the team as little more than a piece to add value to his real estate investments, and they once again embarrassed themselves by failing to fund or plan a proper a "YES" vote campaign and apparently had no backup plan for losing. 

I'm kind of shocked at your optimism to be honest. The product on the ice has been consistently terrible for years now. I know they bought up bad contracts in exchange for draft picks and a brighter future, but after watching them play the Kraken three times in March/April, I didn't see anything redeeming about them. I don't mean to be harsh but they didn't look like a team that is going to be competitive for at least a few more years. 

Anyway, I don't mean to dunk on the Coyotes, but the above is just my perspective from being an NHL fan and reading blogs/reddit/etc. I really wish the best for the Coyotes...I lived in Miami and went to Florida Panthers games during some of their lean years, many people wanted them to relocate but they did finally turn things around. I just don't see how it happens in Phoenix and I think this latest setback is going to be the last straw for the NHL. 

Speaking of the Panthers...what a game last night! 

[zurch1818]

Oh that would have been awesome if they played in south of Scottsdale. Too bad that didn't work out. It's really odd that places like NY, LA, Boston, Chicago can successfully host multi sport facilities but Phoenix could make it work.

I hear you on my overoptimism. Maybe I just like rooting for teams that performed like the 2002 Brewers. Using that analogy maybe we are in 2003 or 2004.

I do like the direction this new GM Bill Armstrong is going after having a team of relatively expensive aging defensemen. They were more fun to watch last year (not setting the bar too high). I was expecting them to be just as bad as the year prior but they exceeded my expectations. They have a wealth of talent coming in the wings, so we will see what happens. It's hard rooting for Logan Cooley on the Gophers. The Badgers have been Coyotes bad lately, so it isn't the end of the world. I'm glad to see he's playing another season in Minnesota as that is good for his development.

I agree with the Panthers! They are who I want to win it all this year. The one team I don't want is Vegas. I have some coworkers that don't want Dallas because they took the Wild out and they used to be the North Stars.

[nate82]

The NHL will try until there are no options left in Phoenix to keep the team here.  For whatever reason the NHL will not let go of Phoenix even if it means the team plays in a college arena. 

I don't see the NHL moving the Coyotes to Milwaukee unless Milwaukee moves to the southwest.  That is the only way the city of Milwaukee would be getting the Coyotes. 

[homer]

On 5/20/2023 at 2:38 AM, zurch1818 said:

Oh that would have been awesome if they played in south of Scottsdale. Too bad that didn't work out. It's really odd that places like NY, LA, Boston, Chicago can successfully host multi sport facilities but Phoenix could make it work.

I think a big part of the issue is that the cities you mentioned have generations of fans. It gets passed down from grandpa/grandma to dad/mom to kid. In Phoenix I bet half the population moved there from someplace else and brought their allegiances with them. That could change over time as people stick around and put down roots.

[LouisEly]

On 5/17/2023 at 10:49 PM, brewguy03 said:

I thought that Houston was a possibility...the largest US market without the NHL.  I've not seen Austin in a lot of reports.  Is it because it's growing rapidly?

That, and because there is no other big-four pro sports competition.  MLS is the only other pro game there.  Round Rock has a AAA baseball team.  San Antonio is 75 miles away.

[owbc]

2 hours ago, homer said:

I think a big part of the issue is that the cities you mentioned have generations of fans. It gets passed down from grandpa/grandma to dad/mom to kid. In Phoenix I bet half the population moved there from someplace else and brought their allegiances with them. That could change over time as people stick around and put down roots.

I used to feel this way but after moving around to a few different cities I think it comes down to winning and marketing. It's not an "if you build it they will come" type thing like it would be if they put a team in Quebec City. 

 

[SomewhereInTime]

Thirty years living in Milwaukee I see zero World Series appearances, just over one year living in Las Vegas and the Golden Knights are in the Stanley Cup Finals, it's just that easy for some isn't it?  No pain and years of failure, just straight to a championship appearance in year 1 of following a team.

[Outlander]

Went to the Admirals Western Conference Finals game tonight. Fun game that they won. Good crowd for a Thursday Night.

Kind of bizarre going to a game at the arena as I remember going there as a kid to see the Bucks. I know they have remodeled over the years but still very much as I remember during the 80's and brining back memories long forgotten.

[yourout]

Rolled the dice and purchased a couple of UW mens hockey Sat night season tickets.

Hopefully Hastings can resurrect this once great program.

[stoutdude04]

On 8/26/2023 at 9:50 PM, yourout said:

Rolled the dice and purchased a couple of UW mens hockey Sat night season tickets.

Hopefully Hastings can resurrect this once great program.

I renewed our 4 as well.  Semi annoyed that the first 'slap shot' game is actually Sunday.

[nate82]

Let’s go Hawks!!!!!

 

[yourout]

On 8/31/2023 at 2:34 PM, stoutdude04 said:

I renewed our 4 as well.  Semi annoyed that the first 'slap shot' game is actually Sunday.

I know it's very early but so far so good.

Sure would be nice to have an elite hockey program again.

[homer]

On 10/11/2023 at 9:02 PM, nate82 said:

Let’s go Hawks!!!!!

 

Connor Bedard has me back on the 'Hawks bandwagon

[nate82]

1 hour ago, homer said:

Connor Bedard has me back on the 'Hawks bandwagon

It has been bleak the last few seasons.  Even if they have a bad record it is nice to have something to be excited about again.

[nate82]

I love watching the Leafs lose.  It is like watching the Cardinals, Yankees or Red Sox going through a losing season.

[yourout]

Bucky goes into Houghton and knocks off the 17th ranked team 4 to 2.

Improves to 4 and 1.

[yourout]

Bucky completes the road sweep with a 5-2 win.

Off to a 5 and 1 start for the first time in 19 years.

[LouisEly]

Bucky already ranked at #14

[yourout]

31 minutes ago, LouisEly said:

Bucky already ranked at #14

Big series this weekend at the Gophs.

Nice to be excited about it again.

Should be fun year and looking forward to the next home game against Michigan. I'm glad I picked up a couple of season tickets.

[stoutdude04]

I am pretty excited.  The team looks like they have better d-zone coverage which was something I constantly complained about the last few years.  Nice to get a few wins, but this weekend should be a good barometer of where this team is at.  Even getting swept but competitive would be fine with me. 

[owbc]

On 10/14/2023 at 9:16 AM, nate82 said:

It has been bleak the last few seasons.  Even if they have a bad record it is nice to have something to be excited about again.

The Hawks are certainly going to get better, but I LOLed when I watched some of the opener and saw Ryan Donato out there with Bedard and Hall. Clearly they have some work to do to build a team around their star. 

Nice to hear that the Badgers are doing well, I'll have to tune in if they are on BTN. 

[LouisEly]

1 hour ago, owbc said:

The Hawks are certainly going to get better, but I LOLed when I watched some of the opener and saw Ryan Donato out there with Bedard and Hall. Clearly they have some work to do to build a team around their star. 

Nice to hear that the Badgers are doing well, I'll have to tune in if they are on BTN. 

They're on BTN tonight.  8PM Central, 6PM Pacific. 

Looks like only two more games on BTN the rest of the season - Dec. 8th vs. Penn State, and Feb 17th vs Ohio State.  Everything else is BTN+.

https://uwbadgers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/schedule

[homer]

On 10/16/2023 at 9:17 PM, nate82 said:

I love watching the Leafs lose.  It is like watching the Cardinals, Yankees or Red Sox going through a losing season.

I like the Leafs... I like all the Original 6. I think it's good for hockey when they are. successful.