Jeremy Laura: Wild Card Hokey Pokey for 4 teams. Arizona articles deleted and changed?

looks like the auction date is set for Jun 27 now. https://land.az.gov/reports-notices

I get the feeling that Bettman will finally look elsewhere if the land auction is not won by Meriuelo and Co.

looks like the auction date is set for Jun 27 now. https://land.az.gov/reports-notices

I get the feeling that Bettman will finally look elsewhere if the land auction is not won by Meriuelo and Co.
- stefano76

Go to the article, I’ll repost in this comment. Even if the paperwork was filed today, that doesn’t guarantee a June auction. The AZ state constitution gives the board 240 days to reappraise and review any upcoming auctions. The auction has to be publicized in writing for 10 weeks, but if there is a review it could push the auction back all the way to November. This auction was original supposed to happen in 2025 as of a month ago. After last night’s releases and changes there is a lot of muck surrounding this.

According to the Arizona state constitution, there must be an auction advertisement in print media for a minimum of 10 weeks before the auction. The state would have 240 days from the board of appeals’ approval of that auction on March 14 to hold it.

In other words, the land auction at minimum would not take place until mid-June but would not have to be held until Nov. 9.

According to the state constitution, “the department shall reappraise or update the department’s original appraisal of property to be leased, exchanged or sold if the board of appeals’ approval of the lease or sale occurred more than two hundred forty days before the auction.”

The drafting of an auction notice had not yet been completed as of Thursday, the Arizona State Land Department told Arizona Sports.

looks like the auction date is set for Jun 27 now. https://land.az.gov/reports-notices

I get the feeling that Bettman will finally look elsewhere if the land auction is not won by Meriuelo and Co.
- stefano76

Final thought, the Utah Jazz ownership has apparently had an offer extended since 2022. Building? Check. Fan access? Check. But the NHL decided to go with the college arena instead? None of that makes any sense at all

Phoenix is a much larger metro area than Salt Lake City. I do hope they get forced to move to SLC. The arena ARI plays in is a disgrace to the entire NHL and no way can it be profitable with <5k seating capacity. It's unwatchable on TV feeds as well due to terrible camera angles. The league needs to put seating capacity and/or gate revenue requirements into NHL owner stipulations because that arena is way below acceptable standards.

Phoenix is a much larger metro area than Salt Lake City. I do hope they get forced to move to SLC. The arena ARI plays in is a disgrace to the entire NHL and no way can it be profitable with <5k seating capacity. It's unwatchable on TV feeds as well due to terrible camera angles. The league needs to put seating capacity and/or gate revenue requirements into NHL owner stipulations because that arena is way below acceptable standards.
- jfkst1

This is dead on. When the new owner left Gila, it was noted he refused the payments. Now articles are saying the team was “kicked out”. I’ve started to read the 325 page report, the updated public notice, and some of the dates aren’t meshing at all. As of yesterday the development office was called and said nothing had been filed. The filing date is now listed as 3/29 on the paperwork. The league is pushing this and ignoring any possible complication. Where was the urgency for the past 2 years with offers on the table?

Phoenix is a much larger metro area than Salt Lake City. I do hope they get forced to move to SLC. The arena ARI plays in is a disgrace to the entire NHL and no way can it be profitable with <5k seating capacity. It's unwatchable on TV feeds as well due to terrible camera angles. The league needs to put seating capacity and/or gate revenue requirements into NHL owner stipulations because that arena is way below acceptable standards.
- jfkst1

Revenue requirements might not fly, but seating capacity should be a must. Add to that sub 5k that it’s primarily accessible by students who get $25 tickets.

I also read somewhere yesterday that the Yotes were banned from signing players to new contracts for next season, for now

Go to the article, I’ll repost in this comment. Even if the paperwork was filed today, that doesn’t guarantee a June auction. The AZ state constitution gives the board 240 days to reappraise and review any upcoming auctions. The auction has to be publicized in writing for 10 weeks, but if there is a review it could push the auction back all the way to November. This auction was original supposed to happen in 2025 as of a month ago. After last night’s releases and changes there is a lot of muck surrounding this.

According to the Arizona state constitution, there must be an auction advertisement in print media for a minimum of 10 weeks before the auction. The state would have 240 days from the board of appeals’ approval of that auction on March 14 to hold it.

In other words, the land auction at minimum would not take place until mid-June but would not have to be held until Nov. 9.

According to the state constitution, “the department shall reappraise or update the department’s original appraisal of property to be leased, exchanged or sold if the board of appeals’ approval of the lease or sale occurred more than two hundred forty days before the auction.”

The drafting of an auction notice had not yet been completed as of Thursday, the Arizona State Land Department told Arizona Sports.
- Jeremy Laura

Fair enough and thanks!

I as well do not know why Bettman and Co are still so fixated on hockey in AZ... further, hopefully nothing will come out of the rumoured interest with Anson Carter and Atlanta...Atlanta couldnt support/keep a team twice... i dont think third time's a charm. As a Canadian, i'd love to see a team in Quebec City, but failing that, i think there are better cities out there than Atlanta.

I also read somewhere yesterday that the Yotes were banned from signing players to new contracts for next season, for now
- StargateSG1

PHR had published that, I reposted the link. They were able to do ELC signings. This whole thing is getting more bizarre. In a write up last year I mentioned a “rumor” that the NHLPA was going to get involved in the AZ situation through audits, etc. something must have been said between the Manager’s meeting and yesterday that pushed everything forward. What’s being overlooked in terms of this bid are:
The 240 day period in the state constitution if land value should be reassessed. 200 acres at 85 million could be easily reassessed especially if a home developer (or retirement community) wants to take a look. The winning bid can be contested for 30 days after the auction. Etc, etc, etc.

Fair enough and thanks!

I as well do not know why Bettman and Co are still so fixated on hockey in AZ... further, hopefully nothing will come out of the rumoured interest with Anson Carter and Atlanta...Atlanta couldnt support/keep a team twice... i dont think third time's a charm. As a Canadian, i'd love to see a team in Quebec City, but failing that, i think there are better cities out there than Atlanta.
- stefano76

If both Ryan Reynolds and Snoop Dogg walked away from the Ottawa deal (with their respective groups) a team in Atlanta once costs are assessed, fees, taxes, etc is going to be a hard sell.

Quebec would be awesome, but the exchange rate that hurt the franchise last time is an issue again. I still wonder why the ECHL team that closed didn’t look to Quebec as a relocation possibility

Also, why is Arizona so important to the league that multiple stadiums, owners and even names have surrounded the relatively short tenure of this relocated franchise?

I'd guess because Phoenix is the fifth highest population city in the US and growing instead of shrinking (NY, CHI, LA, PHI all losing people). Houston is #4, but not sure if Texas can handle another NHL team?

Also, why is Arizona so important to the league that multiple stadiums, owners and even names have surrounded the relatively short tenure of this relocated franchise?

I'd guess because Phoenix is the fifth highest population city in the US and growing instead of shrinking (NY, CHI, LA, PHI all losing people). Houston is #4, but not sure if Texas can handle another NHL team?
- Chunk

Houston was mentioned in expansion (along with New Mexico, Utah and Atlanta). Your point emphasizes the question, will 200 acres really hit the market at its current evaluation with no other bidders involved? When the team lost the “phoenix” part of the name and Gretzky, it’s just been in constant flux. Including a GM caught tampering in one of the most blatant setups we’ve seen (inviting kids to do workouts). It’s all bizarre.

I thought it was interesting that AZ took two Russian players with their two first round pics last year at #6 and #12. Both players were projected late 1st round pics, and both had KHL contracts. They didn't want anyone they would need to sign to a ELC within a few years. Not only that, but they passed over the top Russian player in the draft (and Ryan Leonard) to take a Russian player projected to go very late in the 1st round.

Perhaps by the draft, they were thinking they were going to lose Cooley as he didn't sign for about a month after the draft and there were rumors he wasn't going to sign. They may have just figured they'd draft players they wouldn't have to worry about for a few years while everything got worked out.

I thought it was interesting that AZ took two Russian players with their two first round pics last year at #6 and #12. Both players were projected late 1st round pics, and both had KHL contracts. They didn't want anyone they would need to sign to a ELC within a few years. Not only that, but they passed over the top Russian player in the draft (and Ryan Leonard) to take a Russian player projected to go very late in the 1st round.

Perhaps by the draft, they were thinking they were going to lose Cooley as he didn't sign for about a month after the draft and there were rumors he wasn't going to sign. They may have just figured they'd draft players they wouldn't have to worry about for a few years while everything got worked out.
- bluelineenforcer

Interesting. Philly just had a bit of a reversal in fortunes with a KHL prospect. I’m wondering if the draft format will affect the interview processes at all. It sounds like teams are staying put a bit more. Though, to be fair, you don’t often hear of interviews moving the needle (exception of Seider who got a lot of attention for doing interviews with every team)

Interesting. Philly just had a bit of a reversal in fortunes with a KHL prospect. I’m wondering if the draft format will affect the interview processes at all. It sounds like teams are staying put a bit more. Though, to be fair, you don’t often hear of interviews moving the needle (exception of Seider who got a lot of attention for doing interviews with every team)
- Jeremy Laura

I've heard some stories about interviews changing things. Brian Burke talked about some on Spittin Chicklets years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rahdi0gr-rM&t=437s

I've heard some stories about interviews changing things. Brian Burke talked about some on Spittin Chicklets years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rahdi0gr-rM&t=437s
- dcz28

I know people give him a lot of grief, but I love listening to Brian. Very good clip. Thank you!

Chairot is terrible. That power play goal is all his fault. He had a chance to ice puck and for whatever reason hesitated then coughed up puck. Just brutal