NHL Making Contingency Plans for Arena-less Coyotes? (All Relo Speculation Here)

[Fugu]

Do not discuss the Glendale and Coyotes legal and business details here, but what the NHL will have to consider if they have to relocate the team on short notice, and possible short- and longterm landing spots. Thank you.




http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/sto...lled-options-las-vegas-seattle-toronto-quebec

Click to read more...

 

[varsaku]

Just move the team to either Hamilton or Quebec City. They have the stadium and also a lawsuit with the city will be expensive and time consuming. What if goes half way into the season and the city wins the case. The Coyotes will be forced to move mid season and make the NHL look like a Bush league.

 

[cheswick]

I think in reality the only realistic solution for next season is Quebec. I don't see them going to Seattle without a guaranteed arena solution. Alternatively I could see them working wih Glendale on a one year deal and playing a lame duck season prior to going to Vegas.

 

[OG6ix]

I think in reality the only realistic solution for next season is Quebec. I don't see them going to Seattle without a guaranteed arena solution. Alternatively I could see them working wih Glendale on a one year deal and playing a lame duck season prior to going to Vegas.

Paul Allen might want the team if he can get it on the cheap. That leaves seattle and vegas as the two expansion cities.

Hamilton and QC will continue to have no NHL tenant.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[BattleBorn]

I think in reality the only realistic solution for next season is Quebec. I don't see them going to Seattle without a guaranteed arena solution. Alternatively I could see them working wih Glendale on a one year deal and playing a lame duck season prior to going to Vegas.

If they're coming here they can play at the Grand Garden Arena. MGM has stated they can make plans for it to happen if it really needs to come to that.

The Grand Garden is attached to the MGM Grand casino. If that turns into an issue the Thomas and Mack Center may be an option. It was the home of the IHL Las Vegas Thunder and has plenty of capacity, but there will likely be a conflict with the scheduling of the National Finals Rodeo in December as well as UNLV basketball.

 

[Phil Parent]

It will be either Vegas or Quebec.

I'll give it to Vegas. The alignment deal works better, and Quebec fans won't care to root for an expansion team.

But said expansion team better be promised when it happens and they do move to Vegas.

 

[cutchemist42]

If the NHL suffers a lame duck season....I wonder when you add up all the revs/exps....will it truly have been worth it? Honestly, a lameduck season could have losses around $20-30 mil probably.

Anyhow, the only places that might work right away is Quebec or maybe KC/Hartford/Hamiltonetc. (pull an OKC/NO situation?)

 

[Mightygoose]

My opinion, if they do need to move quickly, they'll do Portland.

I think Vegas and Quebec are being saved for expansion (and Seattle pending arena), they'll prefer to keep the franchise in the west.

if they're really desperate, they'll work with what Mr. Allen is willing to pay.

 

[LadyStanley]

I'm guessing that their old downtown arena still has ice facilities.

Doing a 1 year deal with Suns might be the easiest.

Coyotes might only be able to get sponsorship deals for boards and ice and any LED signage.

Not a good deal financially. But at least they could transfer local sponsors.

 

[Jumptheshark]

how big is the the Arena in downtown phoenix? IF it is suitable it makes the most sense

 

[Howler Scores]

I'm guessing that their old downtown arena still has ice facilities.

Not sure the differences but they do about a week's worth of Disney on Ice every year there. So ice is put down for them to skate on.

http://www.usairwayscenter.com/events/detail/disney-on-ice-presents-lets-celebrate

 

[hisgirlfriday]

Here's an Oregonian columnist speculating on Paul Allens possible interest to bring them to Portland.
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/or...l?hootPostID=a7820131ba5bb077bc08d75292def24d

 

[varsaku]

Not sure the differences but they do about a week's worth of Disney on Ice every year there. So ice is put down for them to skate on.

http://www.usairwayscenter.com/events/detail/disney-on-ice-presents-lets-celebrate

MOD
The US Airways Center is like Barclays Center, which is designed for basketball and not hockey. The US Airways Center also has obstructed views.

 

[LadyStanley]

how big is the the Arena in downtown phoenix? IF it is suitable it makes the most sense

Big enough.

The Coyotes mainly left because the sight lines weren't great (and they weren't the main tenant).

IF the Coyotes move back to downtown Phoenix AND get a good working relationship with the Suns (main tenant/leaseholder) -- with good "cuts" on the parking, concessions, in-building sponsorship for hockey games -- then MAYBE they'll be able to continue doing a long term relationship and perhaps work with PHX or Scottsdale for a new 2-anchor tenant arena.

If not, PHX would only be a short term option and they'll be looking for a long term relocation option.

 

[Jumptheshark]

I think if they can get a one year deal--the downtown arena makes the most sense

 

[GordonGraham]

My choices

Phoenix
Portland
Quebec city(last resort)

not in the running (Seattle, kc, lv)

 

[Jumptheshark]

Here's an Oregonian columnist speculating on Paul Allens possible interest to bring them to Portland.
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/or...l?hootPostID=a7820131ba5bb077bc08d75292def24d

he gag order is currently in full effect in the Blazers organization. Nobody is talking hockey because when you're interested in making that buy you don't hold those conversations publicly.

pretty much standard SOP

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Release the Kraken!

 

[BF3]

Seattle or Vegas.

 

[Howler Scores]

MOD
The US Airways Center is like Barclays Center, which is designed for basketball and not hockey. The US Airways Center also has obstructed views.

Correct, 4,200 of the seats have an obstructed view. Thats almost 26% of the seats. Never went for hockey but its like the rattlers. In another thread I showed its about 15 yards in arena football that is cutoff on one side of the arena:

http://www.seats3d.com/afl/arizona_rattlers/sec_121_1.html?price_plan_selected=&

Phoenix Councilmember Michael Nowakowski and Mayor Greg Stanton have discussed bringing them back to Phoenix in hopes of using this leverage to build a new arena. Obstructed views are one problem the Coyotes would have in the short-term. Also, the breakout of suite and concession revenue is an issue since that drove them away in the first place.

 

[Fugu]

Seattle or Vegas.

Neither has a completed or pending (in Seattle's case) arena.

 

[BattleBorn]

Neither has a completed or pending (in Seattle's case) arena.

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

Kinda sucks, because from what I've heard, GRA is a pretty nice arena.

 

[LeafShark]

In order of likelihood

1. Las Vegas
2. Quebec City
3. Phoenix
4. Glendale

The potential losses are too great to try to fight this. The damage is done.