This was the plan....

[LAIslanderFan]

I for one like what's happening with the Coyotes. They were never going to make the playoffs, they
have a multitude of exciting young players to watch. They'll have an incredible prospect pool coming up
the next few years and I look forward to seeing the team next year with the additions of Cooley and Guenther full-time. I think BA will have a lot of cap space next year to add some interesting veterans, not to mention this years draft class. From a hockey fans perspective, come the end of the season, those expensive tickets at the Mullet will be quite affordable on the secondary market. You can bet I'll be going to quite a few games as the season winds down.

 

[LuckyNumber11]

I echo the not caring as much right now as others. Combination of the East valley move/high ticket prices+crappy on ice product+I don’t have Bally. Perfect cocktail to not care too much. I’ve watched more Avs hockey this year than Yotes just because it’s more accessible to me with Hulu and ESPN+

 

[Coyotedroppings]

So why is everyone so down? We sold every player we intended to or had to. Maybe one pick is about 15 spots lower than we wanted.

So the arbiters of all knowing egos in the other fanbases hate us? What else is new?

We aren't spending to the cap? Well, with the $25 millon annex and $40 million down payment, pretend we're spending $65 million more than we are right now. That's a cap team.

Things aren't looking like a lock for the vote? We're the two more weeks crowd. 14 years of this. Even if the vote passes, we all know it isn't over till construction finishes. Money could run out at any moment. No point in being depressed about it early. All of you know that.

I'm totally perplexed why the fan base is acting like this is one of the darker weeks in franchise history. This was the plan. We even have things to enjoy in this last leg. Hayton is finally turning a corner. Most every one had him written off 4 months ago. Soderstrom and Kolyachonok might finally be ready to take the next step. Every player they are calling up will be playing with purpose. Jenik, Smith, Kesselring will all be fighting to make it to the NHL. We aren't getting Bedard or Fantilli. Fine. This is still the best scouting and development group we've ever had. We'll be working in 2-3 new good players every year for the foreseeable future. There's a lot to look forward to. Let's enjoy the team while we have it.

Good post, but what makes you think we won’t get one of the top two? This roster has been seriously gutted and there is still time and luck….. we’re due to shed the curse of the Avco Cup one day, hell even the Cubs got ‘em a WS.
As for
The general attitude, this always happens and the team was fairly competitive and most importantly, fun to watch.

 

[knich]

I am one of those in the camp that BA is still doing a fantastic job. He got what he could for Chyc...his injury issues have always held back his value. BA rolled the dice he could get a better deal but somewhere along the way he was restricted from taking money back. It is what it is.

My only issue is we have 100 draft picks and we can only sign like half. So, hopefully we start looking to add sooner v. later. BA said in one conference that the Yotes would be competing for the playoffs (not the Stanley Cup) in 5 years. That made me nervous. He later said the Yotes are halfway to their goals. That made me feel better.

I agree the arena vote will determine the future direction or perhaps existence of this team. I hope they are doing all the right things in that regard.

One final comment...let's not dump on AM too quickly. He has spent a ton of money not even knowing if there is a franchise in the future. Also...we have a Management and Scouting staff that is on par with any staff in the NHL. He paid a lot for that. He has also added top uniform designer, added marketing/outreach, charities etc. This is not an owner who has handled this franchise on the cheap.

 

[rt]

I’m not conceding that BA got less for Chychrun than I expected until I see where the Ottawa pick ends up and what BA does with the extra budget.

If the pick ends up 13th and he gets a pair of 2nds for a dump, then the return is better than expected.

If the pick is 16th and BA manages only a 2nd, well, that’s around the expected, I think. In terms of total value.

 

[knich]

I’m not conceding that BA got less for Chychrun than I expected until I see where the Ottawa pick ends up and what BA does with the extra budget.

If the pick ends up 13th and he gets a pair of 2nds for a dump, then the return is better than expected.

If the pick is 16th and BA manages only a 2nd, well, that’s around the expected, I think. In terms of total value.

I agree time will tell, which is always the case except maybe with Bedard. My point is I think in terms of what he could realistically get for Chyc without retaining salary I think he did a great job. On every trade there is a roll of the dice that your trade will result as intended. I think he did the best he could regardless of outcome.

 

[Jakey53]

Soderstrom, Kolyachonok, McCartnery, Jenik

That remains to be seen.

 

[hbk]

That remains to be seen.

Well 2 of the 4 already up. Who’s out of waiver eligibility because they either play or likely get claimed a la Valimaki.

 

[SpaceCoyote]

I think BA will have a lot of cap space next year to add some interesting veterans

The team is already at the cap floor with the current roster next season, with the exception of a few journey men/reclamation projects I don't for see us adding much especially with our restrictive budget.

BA mentioned in his post deadline interview he could have gotten more back from Chychrun if the team was willing to eat 5m in salary. Really disappointing he couldn't get approval for that, it's internal restrictions such as that which will only drag out this rebuild even longer.

 

[CoyoteDave]

I think BA most likely got what he could for Chyc. He got bent over on Ghost. That will end up being the steal of the year on trades. That alone may have put Carolina over the hump and brings them a Cup.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

I think BA most likely got what he could for Chyc. He got bent over on Ghost. That will end up being the steal of the year on trades. That alone may have put Carolina over the hump and brings them a Cup.

I agree...Ghost is grossly underrated.

 

[Jagged Ice]

I think BA most likely got what he could for Chyc. He got bent over on Ghost. That will end up being the steal of the year on trades. That alone may have put Carolina over the hump and brings them a Cup.

I hope you're right about Carolina. I want to see them in the finals.
My preferred order is Tampa, Carolina, New Jersey, NYI, NYR, Pittsburgh, Boston then Toronto for that conference.
I want the Wild to win the West but they never get close. They're quite often a playoff team that exits the first round like the Leafs. They're over their hump and lately have been playing quite well. Solid goaltending and added Klingberg in the closing minutes of the TDL.
It's likely Vegas or Dallas again. Edmonton can't stop goals and Seattle's not quite there and weak in net as well. LA isn't going to the finals.

 

[knich]

I think BA most likely got what he could for Chyc. He got bent over on Ghost. That will end up being the steal of the year on trades. That alone may have put Carolina over the hump and brings them a Cup.

He got what he could. We know how great Ghost has been and so does BA, but did the rest of the hockey world? BA needed draft capital and ownership didn't want to pay more. It would have cost a lot to resign him. Ghost is going to get a huge contract...not for his work in AZ but for his work in Carolina.

 

[rt]

I didn’t think Ghost would get more than a 3rd without retention. The most I was really hoping for was a 2nd if we retained the max on him. On a contender he’s likely a PP specialist. And most contenders don’t need that. So you’re left with only a few options.

 

[GhostofTommyBolin]

people should me more upset with the eastern teams who sold a lot for the arms race. Some of these teams face each other and will be out in the first round.

EDIT: my biggest concern with all of this is …. How do up and coming kids who’s lives revolve around social media feel about this organization? Bedard for one…If we won the lottery ..I can’t imagine the bad press and controversy… as someone said before.. quietly draft Fantilli and slip under the radar.

First part: why would people be upset with Eastern teams for trading assets to try and win a Cup this year? That makes zero sense.

Second part: I agree. If the top pick lands here, be prepared for the social media backlash, i.e. "Bettman fixed the draft for the Coyotes!" But the organization gets shit on--and rightfully so, a lot of the time--daily regardless, so what's one more thing to get piled on about? But I do agree in today's world, as dialed in on everything as these kids are, playing here doesn't look too appealing right now. I doubt he'd pull a Lindros/Eli Manning move, but who knows?

If the TED vote goes through(and even if it does, I'm not going to believe it's real til I'm sitting in the arena on opening night) it'll look more appealing to someone like Bedard.

 

[GhostofTommyBolin]

1) The upcoming 40m payment is a lot of money, probably even for an owner of a hockey team. So, Meruelo is trading for low-cash / high cap contracts like Weber / Voracek to save some money / potentially get better loan terms -- I don't like it, but I can understand it (esp because his gate receipts ie revenue are limited for the next few years)

Supposedly Meruelo's net worth is around $2 billion, so it seems to me if he's a legit owner then coughing up $40 million shouldn't be an issue. (And yes, I know that $2 billion doesn't mean he has it in cash.) He only bought the Coyotes to prove to the NBA that he can own a pro team so they come calling down the road, so it's in his best interests to make this work.

 

[Jamieh]

First part: why would people be upset with Eastern teams for trading assets to try and win a Cup this year? That makes zero sense.

Second part: I agree. If the top pick lands here, be prepared for the social media backlash, i.e. "Bettman fixed the draft for the Coyotes!" But the organization gets shit on--and rightfully so, a lot of the time--daily regardless, so what's one more thing to get piled on about? But I do agree in today's world, as dialed in on everything as these kids are, playing here doesn't look too appealing right now. I doubt he'd pull a Lindros/Eli Manning move, but who knows?

If the TED vote goes through(and even if it does, I'm not going to believe it's real til I'm sitting in the arena on opening night) it'll look more appealing to someone like Bedard.

On the Lindros thought only, Bedard is a wonderful young man with a great Family. He will play where he is drafted and give his all, he has already proven this by playing in Regina and not wanting out at trade deadline.

 

[GhostofTommyBolin]

On the Lindros thought only, Bedard is a wonderful young man with a great Family. He will play where he is drafted and give his all, he has already proven this by playing in Regina and not wanting out at trade deadline.

Plus, both the Lindros and Manning things were rarities; they're the only two instances I can remember that happening.

 

[GhostofTommyBolin]

Forbes keeps track of billionaires worldwide, and of the 2578 on their list, Meruelo is nowhere to be found.

Forbes Billionaires 2022: The Richest People In The World

So the narrative of "We finally have an owner with deep pockets that's gonna turn this around" maybe isn't something we should be the house on, eh? Maybe he's got investors for TED lined up around the block, I don't know, but is it concerning? Sure is.

 

[wbwing]

Forbes keeps track of billionaires worldwide, and of the 2578 on their list, Meruelo is nowhere to be found.

Forbes Billionaires 2022: The Richest People In The World

So the narrative of "We finally have an owner with deep pockets that's gonna turn this around" maybe isn't something we should be the house on, eh? Maybe he's got investors for TED lined up around the block, I don't know, but is it concerning? Sure is.

I think everyone realizes this isn't Paul Allen or Jeff Bezos. No one here betting anything on it and has no say in it anyways. There's definitely risk, but he's put up the money so far. And he is richer than Moyes/NHL/IceEdge/Barroway... so, we'll take what we can get. If he actually hits on this district and the gambling license he is doing nothing with, he'll be comfortably on the list 10-15 years from now.

 

[87turbobuick]

Starting this year I record the games and then fast forward to the goals and the rare fight. From 1998 til now we have been fed a line of BS that has not subsided, I no longer care.

 

[Baby Doaner]

Forbes keeps track of billionaires worldwide, and of the 2578 on their list, Meruelo is nowhere to be found.

Forbes Billionaires 2022: The Richest People In The World

So the narrative of "We finally have an owner with deep pockets that's gonna turn this around" maybe isn't something we should be the house on, eh? Maybe he's got investors for TED lined up around the block, I don't know, but is it concerning? Sure is.

A quick google search will tell you what you want to know. His net worth, as of 2023, is 2B.

 

[Dirty Old Man]

Forbes keeps track of billionaires worldwide, and of the 2578 on their list, Meruelo is nowhere to be found.

Forbes Billionaires 2022: The Richest People In The World

So the narrative of "We finally have an owner with deep pockets that's gonna turn this around" maybe isn't something we should be the house on, eh? Maybe he's got investors for TED lined up around the block, I don't know, but is it concerning? Sure is.

If there's one thing I've learned hanging out in the business of hockey forum the last...12 years? 14? It's that Forbes isn't necessarily gospel at pretty much anything. Are they a better source than say...me? Sure. But you wonder how thorough they are sometimes, given some of things I've read over the years.

 

[BAdvocate]

Seems to me the Red Wings rebuild is at least 2 years ahead of the Coyotes and look at the players they decided to move at the deadline (according to Yzerman because the team was not a contender for the Cup - make the playoffs maybe but not close to winning a cup)
I suspect BA is in line with Stevie Y's thoughts and some folks will be pissed at who is jettisoned for picks/prospects at the deadline the next two seasons.

I think the core Keller/Crouse will continue to have their names out there, but it will be the Schmaltz types whose contracts are up in the next 2-3 years who are the likely trade deadline casualties.

This is the plan.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Plus, both the Lindros and Manning things were rarities; they're the only two instances I can remember that happening.

Elway

Forbes keeps track of billionaires worldwide, and of the 2578 on their list, Meruelo is nowhere to be found.

Forbes Billionaires 2022: The Richest People In The World

So the narrative of "We finally have an owner with deep pockets that's gonna turn this around" maybe isn't something we should be the house on, eh? Maybe he's got investors for TED lined up around the block, I don't know, but is it concerning? Sure is.

iirc, he has loans lined up.