Jeremy Laura: LaLonde praises Lyon, Rangers next challenge, AZ slapped w/strange penalty

The league should have been done with AZ after they skipped on the rent and were kicked out of Glendale. Seems like the Newfoundland Growlers were given swift termination, why can't the NHL be as decisive!

The league should have been done with AZ after they skipped on the rent and were kicked out of Glendale. Seems like the Newfoundland Growlers were given swift termination, why can't the NHL be as decisive!
- HenryHockey

Unfortunately Newfoundland built up a big tab. AZ refused to pay the rates under the new owner. If I lived in that state it would be enough for me to never vote for an arena again. Still trying to figure out how many buildings that franchise has played in.

The ECHL has separate owners but affiliations. The affiliation is supposed to help bring in the fans. I’ve never been to Newfoundland, but I’ve heard it’s like a world unto itself. The native language (kissing a fish), very different gig. Toronto is a metropolis. You can find everything there. The Canadian exchange rate has caused real issues on top of completely different type of economy. Still trying to figure it all out. Sucks for those kids, hope they find a way forward.

The league should have been done with AZ after they skipped on the rent and were kicked out of Glendale. Seems like the Newfoundland Growlers were given swift termination, why can't the NHL be as decisive!
- HenryHockey

And now they’re for sale. The owner wants 1B. This owner has been a nightmare:

According to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has contacted multiple parties, including groups inside and outside the state, to gauge their interest in buying the franchise. He’s seeking an asking price of $1B, $50MM more than the Senators sold for when Michael Andlauer purchased the club last summer.

And now they’re for sale. The owner wants 1B. This owner has been a nightmare:

According to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has contacted multiple parties, including groups inside and outside the state, to gauge their interest in buying the franchise. He’s seeking an asking price of $1B, $50MM more than the Senators sold for when Michael Andlauer purchased the club last summer.
- Jeremy Laura

Yeah I just seen that! I would guess they have a debt as big or bigger then the Sens as well!

"Bettman has stated the league will return to the Phoenix market in the near future if the Coyotes relocate. They’ll likely hold off on doing so until a suitable, more central-location venue becomes available, however."

Bettman should live there full time to babysit them then!

"Bettman has stated the league will return to the Phoenix market in the near future if the Coyotes relocate. They’ll likely hold off on doing so until a suitable, more central-location venue becomes available, however."

Bettman should live there full time to babysit them then!
- HenryHockey

Owners seems to be pretty stupid as a group.
Bettman cost them likely hundreds of millions propping up failed franchises like Arizona.
Those "expansion fees" don't begin to cover the real loses.
What's 40 million to billionaires they got from expansion when they need to spit out millions for "revenue sharing" every season?

In the final 7 game stretch Detroit is sitting just outside of the wildcard spot and Lyon is being credited as part of the reason for that station.

I mean... he is THE reason they're in the hunt

I mean... he is THE reason they're in the hunt
- tmanv

In the hunt, Yeah, well, in that vain, he is also the reason they lost their playoff spot!
It is still a TEAM sport.

Had Husso not been injured so often this season... I have no doubt that LaLonde would still be playing him despite Lyon proving is a much better goalie. Just bad coaching decisions by LaLonde.. including not playing Sprong this last stretch of 5 or 6 games.

Looks like Sprong is in the lineup tonight... finally. Rasmussen is out day-to-day so probably won't be playing. Walman on the third defensive pairing tonight... weird. Edvinsson on the 2nd defensive pairing with Petry.

Definitely like the way Edvinsson is playing. Hoping he can add a little bit of snarl to his game and play a little more physical. This kid looks very comfortable for only being 21 years-old and playing very well in the top 4.

THIS ⏫️⏫️

The 'Yotes are a drain on the NHL. It's like a broken marriage; hate to see it end, but the emotional & financial drain just isn't worth it.....

EDIT: I was replying to H2's post, 1st under the lead.....I don't like Mondays (I know it's Friday, but feels like a Monday...🙄).

"Bettman has stated the league will return to the Phoenix market in the near future if the Coyotes relocate. They’ll likely hold off on doing so until a suitable, more central-location venue becomes available, however."

Bettman should live there full time to babysit them then!
- HenryHockey

Is the hilarity of it all that the team was originally in the Phoenix area?

THIS ⏫️⏫️

The 'Yotes are a drain on the NHL. It's like a broken marriage; hate to see it end, but the emotional & financial drain just isn't worth it.....
- mcmastermike1968

I’m still trying to figure out how many owners (including the league) they’ve had. Had to change from Phoenix Coyotes to AZ Coyotes w/move, last group sold to current owner who is selling to (?)

I mean... he is THE reason they're in the hunt
- tmanv

I think the combo of Kane joining and Lyon being forced into action both weigh heavily. But, Lyon has stolen his share of games

Yeah I just seen that! I would guess they have a debt as big or bigger then the Sens as well!

- HenryHockey

The additional money any new owner has to invest (or ownership group) could easily put them in the conversation. No arena, a roster dump with an inability to retain. Ottawa’s books kept them in the same arena. I have to think a demand refurb a nearby arena and get to the 12-15k capacity mark will be part of any deal. But, expansion is on the way, right?

And here’s the spin cycle: https://www.prohockeyrumo...uction-for-new-arena.html

Now the coyotes are almost guaranteed to go unopposed in purchasing 95 acres, they even have a mock up of the new arena! (Forget the 2 failed mockups this past year) and the owner is going to pay for the whole thing! No mention of last night’s turn of events, the timeline to build an arena. I’m guessing last night dropped like a lead weight

Unfortunately Newfoundland built up a big tab. AZ refused to pay the rates under the new owner. If I lived in that state it would be enough for me to never vote for an arena again. Still trying to figure out how many buildings that franchise has played in.

The ECHL has separate owners but affiliations. The affiliation is supposed to help bring in the fans. I’ve never been to Newfoundland, but I’ve heard it’s like a world unto itself. The native language (kissing a fish), very different gig. Toronto is a metropolis. You can find everything there. The Canadian exchange rate has caused real issues on top of completely different type of economy. Still trying to figure it all out. Sucks for those kids, hope they find a way forward.
- Jeremy Laura

In college, I worked with the Huntington, WV Blizzard, and ECHL team, doing their media stuff. Good team, great players(Kyle Kirkpatrick who was from the Detroit are, had a great time re-living Wings memories, etc...). They were originally affiliated with the Pens, then CHI, then nothing. They drew strong crowds, robust food & swag sales. Believe they were active for 4yrs. Affiliation kept them afloat, so when they list that affiliation, there was no way to sustain the overall budget lay-out. They folded and it sucked for the town, the staff, and players.

Farm teams are expensive. If the big club is floundering, the downstream impacts are just as severe. I cannot imagine any bus-league teams in the ARZ system having a good feeling. They're gonna be swimming in debt. $1bn sell price for the 'Yotes, I'd assume includes financial committments to the bus-league teams? There's absolutely ZERO chance the 'Yotes could survive being in a college arena, none. I mean say the avergae ticket in the college arena is $50, seating's about 4,500....the team's only making $225k.....that's about what Heiskinen makes in one game (exaggeration, for sure).....Not sustainable. The hidden debt is going to be astronomical.

In college, I worked with the Huntington, WV Blizzard, and ECHL team, doing their media stuff. Good team, great players(Kyle Kirkpatrick who was from the Detroit are, had a great time re-living Wings memories, etc...). They were originally affiliated with the Pens, then CHI, then nothing. They drew strong crowds, robust food & swag sales. Believe they were active for 4yrs. Affiliation kept them afloat, so when they list that affiliation, there was no way to sustain the overall budget lay-out. They folded and it sucked for the town, the staff, and players.

Farm teams are expensive. If the big club is floundering, the downstream impacts are just as severe. I cannot imagine any bus-league teams in the ARZ system having a good feeling. They're gonna be swimming in debt. $1bn sell price for the 'Yotes, I'd assume includes financial committments to the bus-league teams? There's absolutely ZERO chance the 'Yotes could survive being in a college arena, none. I mean say the avergae ticket in the college arena is $50, seating's about 4,500....the team's only making $225k.....that's about what Heiskinen makes in one game (exaggeration, for sure).....Not sustainable. The hidden debt is going to be astronomical.
- mcmastermike1968

Now read today’s releases. The league is in damage control after the quick hits last night. Running cover, taking loans without naming sources, debt tabs, announcements of expansion, press releases that expansion isn’t a rush, then revisiting in later feels like the league is trying to get some confidence generated while things are genuinely in flux. All of a sudden Arizona is in great shape to win a land bid in June and probably won’t even have to bid against anyone! The owner is going to pay for a stadium and even has a picture of what it will look like! (Never mind the failed mock ups and meetings this year and the sale announcement last night). Get popcorn

I’m still trying to figure out how many owners (including the league) they’ve had. Had to change from Phoenix Coyotes to AZ Coyotes w/move, last group sold to current owner who is selling to (?)
- Jeremy Laura

It's scary that there's such a blind desire to have a team in AZ that massive debt becomes irrelevant. If I was a perspective buyer, there's NO way I'd keep the team there. SLC is wanting a team, Quebec City, Houston....there are other, more viable locations that have the desire & infrastructure to support a NHL team.....AZ doesn't. At all. I seriously want to see the hidden debt, it's got to be absolutely massive.

Now read today’s releases. The league is in damage control after the quick hits last night. Running cover, taking loans without naming sources, debt tabs, announcements of expansion, press releases that expansion isn’t a rush, then revisiting in later feels like the league is trying to get some confidence generated while things are genuinely in flux. All of a sudden Arizona is in great shape to win a land bid in June and probably won’t even have to bid against anyone! The owner is going to pay for a stadium and even has a picture of what it will look like! (Never mind the failed mock ups and meetings this year and the sale announcement last night). Get popcorn
- Jeremy Laura

It just feels like watching video of the Hindenbeg....ya KNOW it's tragic, and you hate seeing the loss, but you know there will be improvements coming out of the tragedy. Whichever city gets the 'Yotes should learn valuable lessons....as the the rest of the teams, I HOPE.

Had Husso not been injured so often this season... I have no doubt that LaLonde would still be playing him despite Lyon proving is a much better goalie. Just bad coaching decisions by LaLonde.. including not playing Sprong this last stretch of 5 or 6 games.

Looks like Sprong is in the lineup tonight... finally. Rasmussen is out day-to-day so probably won't be playing. Walman on the third defensive pairing tonight... weird. Edvinsson on the 2nd defensive pairing with Petry.

Definitely like the way Edvinsson is playing. Hoping he can add a little bit of snarl to his game and play a little more physical. This kid looks very comfortable for only being 21 years-old and playing very well in the top 4.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Read something the other day that the deal for Lyon was to have him in GR, then all the G issies arose across the NHL, and waiver concerns, and, and, and....Husso seems to need a ton of work. Lyon needs a bunch of work as well, but nothing near what Husso needs (Lyon's got some sort of puck-dar helping him track the puck & move....). When issues started with Husso, there was no reason not to work Lyon into the line-up. None. That whole Lyon-thing was mis-managed. Not saying he'd have saved the season and won us Lord Stanley's Chalice, but he'd gotten us more wins.

Again, there's NO way we make the SCF. NONE. But having some stability in net sure as hell woulda made the team better. Reimer played several games completely outta his mind. We have a G issue, no doubt. But we had the ability to work through them (aside from injury) right at our disposal and failed to do so. That's a gross mis-management incident. Sitting Sprong? Why? Unless there's a conduct issue, he was one of the better players on the ice. Makes zero sense to me. There's stuff out there we don't know, to be sure, but dang....

I mean, think about it, though. With all of these issues, we're still in the hunt!! With this roster! With these issues..... This IS a foundationally good team.

Owners seems to be pretty stupid as a group.
Bettman cost them likely hundreds of millions propping up failed franchises like Arizona.
Those "expansion fees" don't begin to cover the real loses.
What's 40 million to billionaires they got from expansion when they need to spit out millions for "revenue sharing" every season?
- StargateSG1

It isn’t even that much. By the time an expansion makes all the “payments” the original amount has been hit by natural inflation rates (assuming no spikes or dips). Even Seattle had to make sure to get the last payment in before the draft or it would have been pushed out.

The NHLPA is plenty upset that expansion fees are part of HRR. The obsession with the AZ market and pretending that the team wasn’t originally affiliated with Phoenix is a head scratcher

Read something the other day that the deal for Lyon was to have him in GR, then all the G issies arose across the NHL, and waiver concerns, and, and, and....Husso seems to need a ton of work. Lyon needs a bunch of work as well, but nothing near what Husso needs (Lyon's got some sort of puck-dar helping him track the puck & move....). When issues started with Husso, there was no reason not to work Lyon into the line-up. None. That whole Lyon-thing was mis-managed. Not saying he'd have saved the season and won us Lord Stanley's Chalice, but he'd gotten us more wins.

Again, there's NO way we make the SCF. NONE. But having some stability in net sure as hell woulda made the team better. Reimer played several games completely outta his mind. We have a G issue, no doubt. But we had the ability to work through them (aside from injury) right at our disposal and failed to do so. That's a gross mis-management incident. Sitting Sprong? Why? Unless there's a conduct issue, he was one of the better players on the ice. Makes zero sense to me. There's stuff out there we don't know, to be sure, but dang....

I mean, think about it, though. With all of these issues, we're still in the hunt!! With this roster! With these issues..... This IS a foundationally good team.
- mcmastermike1968

for sure. The video embed shows LaLonde talking about the plan for Lyon at the beginning of the year. Says as much but early goalie injuries leaguewide made waivers an issue

And now they’re for sale. The owner wants 1B. This owner has been a nightmare:

According to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has contacted multiple parties, including groups inside and outside the state, to gauge their interest in buying the franchise. He’s seeking an asking price of $1B, $50MM more than the Senators sold for when Michael Andlauer purchased the club last summer.
- Jeremy Laura

Add to the hilarity? Last night’s link to this quote is gone. Can find the original source but it’s been “modified” after a likely phone call