2 hours ago, Math said:

 

That is dramatically true... In fact, the NHL bought the franchise $1 billion and the Smiths bought the team from the League at a price around $1.2 billion reportedly. So it's a benefit of $200M to be shared between all the other team. Yipee, win-win deal, everybody's happy!

 

But technically, it's not a true relocation per se. Utah inherits all hockey assets related to the Coyotes but the logo, name and team history are frozen and will stay inactive for the time being. Meruelo has been given these guarantees but he has to have an arena ready in five years. He must first win a land aunction that is set in late June (again, in a terrible location btw). If he wins, he still needs to come with a project and build this thing. Considering that it takes 1 to 1.5 years to construct it, a real project has to be achieved and accepted in 3.5 years approximately. So there are many hurdles to overcome. If he fails to win the aunction bid, he's toast, which I truly hope: he has been an awful owner and it's crazy that the League still considers him to reactivate the franchise in the future.

I curious if Meruelo loses the bid, could it be another person pick up the ball and try to put a team back in Phoenix?  If it happens I wonder if the Suns would allow it? Unless their owner buys the team!

5 hours ago, Math said:

 

For the same reasons that the Nordiques left and that the Oilers — yes, even the Oilers — were that close to be packing for Houston: small market, no revenue sharing, no salary cap, exchange rate, growing salaries, obsolete arenas, higher taxes, and also a new commisoner who was tasked to grow and develop the League with new markets in the south, where the potential is.

 

But hockey will be back in Arizona some time for sure. Two conditions to be successful however to start: 1) if a decent and properly located arena is built and 2) not with Meruelo as an owner. If at least one of the two conditions is not fulfilled, it's a no-go.

I heard that Meruelo received $1 billion on top of the price of the team. In case he wins the bid for the land somewhere near Tempe. (Seriously) I am not sure how true that is!

26 minutes ago, Math said:

 

Yeap, that was the catalyst of many other epic mistakes and failures that this franchise has made in terms of marketing, management, business and sports-related fields.

To be brutally honest, I actually liked the team and having a team in the desert. 

I'm not sure of the reason why they left Winnipeg? 

On 5/6/2024 at 12:28 PM, yave1964 said:

PRESEASON OUTLOOK Went out and added erik Karlsson to an already old core, the thought was he may be the tipping point that carries them deep in the playoffs for another run with the old guys.

 

FINAL RECORD 38-32-12 6TH in Metro, missed the playoffs.

 

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR Tristan Jarry led all goaltenders with 6 shutouts, not tied, he led the league by himself with those shutouts. HOWEVER, when he was not shutting people out Jarry went 13-25-5 with a 3.44 goals against and a bad .880 save pct. 

 

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR On February 27th Erik Karlsson scored in OT to defeat the Canucks, they were on a 5-1-1 streak, they caught the Islanders and quotes after the game said they were right in it and going to fight for a playoff spot.

 

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR They fell flat from there, losing 7 of their next 8, forcing them to face facts that the season was done and trading Guentzel to the hated Hurricanes.

 

WHAT WENT RIGHT He wont get Hart votes but Crosby was brilliant as ever with 42 goals and still the games best faceoff man. Malkin chugged along with 67 points, second on the team and for once played all 82 games. Karlsson and Letang were solid building their hall of fame creds. Rust popped in 28 goals. Reilly Smith came on hot at the end and was decent, as was Rakell. Drew O'Conner had a surprisingly good year. Under the radar Marcus Pettersson was the steady rock on the back end. Nedjelcovic was very solid in net nearly forcing an inmprobable playoff push late. Bunting was ok after coming over. 

 

WHAT WENT WRONG Jarry was God awful other than those 6 shutouts. Guentzel was sadly traded away. Jeff Carter was barely usable and retired at seasons end. P.O. Joseph did little and looks like a potential first round bust. The Penguins rotated retreads like Hinostra,  Harkins, Acciari, Puljujarvi, Nieto, colin White all of whom did absolutely nothing other than take up roster spots. They played (ineffectively) 

because the kids such as Gruden, Shea, Ludvig and Zohorna were even worse. A pathetic farm system didnt produce for the bottom three on defense or bottom six at forward. Karlsson, Letang, Malkin all scored decently I guess but none moved the needle and are now another year older.

 

 FREE AGENTS Carter retired. Nedeljkovic was brilliant at times but is an UFA and the Pens may not be able to bring him back. About it.

 

TOP PROSPECTS Sam Poulin is the darling in Pittsburgh but i dont see it, he is a floater who can score a bit, i doubt he ever hits 45 points in a year ever. Puustinen is NOT a prospect, he and Zohorna play in the NHL because of desperation and because someone has to. Owen Pickering is a meh, C level defensive prospect as is St. Ivany, nothing more. I do like Joel Blomqvist and if big Ned leaves he will inherit the 1B role and may surprise.

 Very limited talent pool and they traded away their first round pick this year and next.

 

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS Are they done? Man i dont like this team, Crosby was brilliant but whined a lot this year, i mean whined even more than he usually does. Malkin, Karlsson, Letang all were good but none were close to their peak. The farm system is horrible, Jarry lost confidence. I dont see them going further.

  Do they resign Guentzel? All signs point to no, Guentzel didnt want to leave but there is a time to take your game elsewhere.

  

  The team is old and slow, rust and Ryan Graves may be dealt for futures at or before the frenzy begins......

I agree with the majority of what you said. Letang made a lot of stupid mistakes. Type of mistakes a person who is learning the game would make. Malkin takes to many penalties. Karlsson seemed confused about what was going on with the team. 

Crosby whined alot more than he did because he was the only one who gave a hoot. Jarry lost confidence because of the fact no one cared. I wouldn't be surprised if Nedeljkovic left (I hope he signs with the Penguins!). Why would Guentzel want to come back? (I listen to games on the NHL app instead of watching the games because of my work schedule.)

On 5/2/2024 at 7:22 PM, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

 

And the crazy thing is, there were times going back many years where the Coyotes looked like they were gonna start building a winning tradition.
I really do believe it comes down to ownership and/or management.
I mean, it wouldn't be the first time the front office or the ownership group has torpedoed their own franchise, whether by design or pure ineptitude.

In fact, before I came on board this forum, I was a mod at a general sports forum where my department was hockey....and we had quite a number of Coyotes fans posting regularly in their sections.
There ARE fans who want hockey in Arizona....but I am guessing its hard to build upon that small buy loyal following, or even KEEP those they do have if ownership themselves are clown show.

Ship has sailed for this franchise, but if the NHL ever wanted to re-insert a team in Arizona, AND they have an owner who knows hockey, cares about hockey, or at the very least, hire good hockey people and stay out of their way, then I say hockey in the desert could still work.

I think and I am guessing that the mistake was moving from Phoenix to Glendale. 

I'm going to miss this team! Not sure exactly why?

If the former owner of  the Coyotes is able to purchase the land outside Tempe,(I think it's Tempe?) Will he get an expansion team called the Arizona Coyotes? (Seriously) 

8 hours ago, NHL HHOF said:

 

So far, they are still making the playoffs. They have to win all three of their remaining games, and Washington and Detroit have to keep losing.

Let's hope the Pens finish 23rd in the standings. Which I believe is the goal of management. The team wants an early tee time. 

35 minutes ago, NHL HHOF said:

 

Because they've got Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. They could win another Stanley Cup.

They could if they truly wanted to. I actually believe their goal is an early tee time. 

Pens need to finish 23rd in the standings to keep their 1st round pick. This also would guarantee their golf game start the moment game 82 ends. My question is why would they want to make the post season? 

On 3/23/2024 at 6:50 AM, NHL HHOF said:

Hopefully Detroit and Washington both make it into the playoffs this year, knock out Philadelphia to make it. I need both, Ovechkin and Kane in the playoffs this year in the east. Pittsburgh-Crosby-Malkin are not making it this year, but hopefully we don't have to wait another season for Malkin's 500th goal. Dallas Stars and Joe Pavelski will make it to the playoffs this year.

To be honest,I'm guessing around the 27/28 season before the Tuxedo Birds make it back to the post-season. I'm hoping the rebuild is quicker than that.

19 hours ago, Brewin Flames said:

Guentzel traded to Hurricanes by Penguins for Bunting, 2 draft picks

Has 52 points in 50 games; Pittsburgh also receives forward prospects Ponomarev, Koivunen, Lucius

© Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

ByNHL.com

@NHLdotcom

March 07, 2024

Jake Guentzel was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday for forward Michael Bunting, forward prospects Vasily Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen, the rights to forward Cruz Lucius, a conditional first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft.

 

Carolina also received defenseman Ty Smith in the trade.

 

The first-round selection will become a second-round selection in the 2024 draft if Carolina does not advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Pittsburgh, which will retain 25 percent of Guentzel's salary, also won't receive the fifth-round pick unless the Hurricanes win the Cup.

 

Guentzel has 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 50 games this season but hasn't played since Feb. 14 because of an upper-body injury. However, the 29-year-old forward is skating and is eligible to come off long-term injured reserve on Sunday.

 

Guentzel is in the final season of a five-year, $30 million contract ($6 million average annual value) he signed with Pittsburgh on Dec. 27, 2018, and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

 

“The decision to trade Jake Guentzel, with his contract set to expire this offseason, was one of the most difficult decisions that I have had to make in my time in management," Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas said.

 

"In my first season with the Penguins, it has become quite clear why Jake means so much to his teammates, all Penguins staff and the City of Pittsburgh. Jake’s competitiveness, tenacity and spirit, combined with his talent, have produced some of the greatest moments of this era of Penguins hockey.

 

A born and bred Pittsburgh Penguin, Jake has become a pillar in the community and fan favorite for all the right reasons. We cannot thank Jake and his family enough for their contributions to the Penguins since he was drafted in 2013, and wish him our very best.”

 

 

Guentzel's name had been brought up in trade rumors since February, when Dubas said he could be dealt in order to add youth the Pittsburgh's roster, which is the oldest in the NHL (30.8).

 

"Obviously, we didn't do a good enough job handling a lot of that noise that's going on around the team," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said following a 6-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

 

"Jake means an awful lot to these guys. When you win championships together, there's a certain bond there that's hard to put into words."

 

Selected by the Penguins in the third round (No. 77) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Guentzel has 466 points (219 goals, 247 assists) in 503 regular-season games. He also has 58 points (34 goals, 24 assists) in 58 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2017.

 

"He's a great player, great teammate. A friend," Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. "I think he did everything he possibly could in his time here. Just a privilege to play with him for the course of that time. Great memories. It was just a privilege, like I said."

 

Smith, who was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the first round (No. 17) of the 2018 NHL Draft, has 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) in 51 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.

 

The 23-year-old has 47 points (eight goals, 39 assists) in 123 NHL games.

 

The Hurricanes (37-19-6), who defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 on Thursday, are in second place in the Metropolitan Division, four points behind the New York Rangers.

 

“Jake is an elite goal-scorer and playmaker who has produced at a high level for his entire NHL career,” Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said.

 

“Ty is a young, offensive-minded defenseman who will provide us with another reliable option on the blue line. We’re thrilled to bolster our lineup as we compete to bring the Stanley Cup back to Raleigh.”

 

Bunting has 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 60 games this season, his first with the Hurricanes after signing a three-year, $13.5 million contract ($4.5 million AAV) on July 1.

 

Selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the fourth round (No. 117) of the 2014 NHL Draft, the 28-year-old forward has 162 points (70 goals, 92 assists) in 247 regular-season games with the Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Hurricanes. He also has five points (two goals, three assists) in 13 playoff games.

 

Ponomarev, who was selected by Carolina in the second round (No. 53) of the 2020 NHL Draft, has two points (one goal, one assist) in two NHL games this season. The 21-year-old also has 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 41 American Hockey League games with Chicago and Tucson.

 

Koivunen, 20, was selected in the second round (No. 51) in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists) in 57 games with Karpat in Liiga, Finland's top professional league.

 

Lucius, 19, was selected in the fourth round (No. 124) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He leads the University of Wisconsin with 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 32 games as a sophomore.

 

The Penguins (28-25-8) are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight season after qualifying in each of the previous 16. They are currently eight points behind the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning, who are tied for the first wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

Always reading this type of post no matter the team!

53 minutes ago, Brewin Flames said:

UFA after the season ends...

Thanks! That tells me there is a chance he will come back. An outside chance, none the less, a chance!

2 hours ago, Brewin Flames said:

 

 

Scoop is that they are trying to get a 8 year deal in place before 3 pm....

I heard 9 million over 6 years. Pens offered 8.5 over 5 years. 

Is Guentzel a RFA?

5 hours ago, thegx.ca said:

...bail back over to Pittsburgh?

I was hoping that would happen! 

I would be pissed if I were the Canes tho.

On 2/26/2024 at 6:03 AM, RonJeremy said:

Jagr was there, they had to .

The team does not want to make the playoffs. I hoping Jagr could change that logic. 

I'm throughly surprised that Pittsburgh won this game. Especially when the don't really want to make the playoffs. 

12 hours ago, RonJeremy said:

You can say that about a lot of NHL teams. There are so many teams with much more talent than the Flyers who are totally underperforming this year. On paper we are a bottom ten team. We have Torts who gets the most out of the least and we have a bunch of other teams underachieving. That’s the only reason we are in a playoff spot. You also have  two defensemen who basically did nothing for their entire careers, that are having breakout seasons in their UFA contract years. Don’t be fooled this team has a long way to go in the rebuild.

I agree on the rebuild. The Penguins traded Nylander and a conditional 2026 6th round pick for Bernstein (sp). I not sure why Pittsburgh is trading away draft picks.

2 minutes ago, GratefulFlyers said:

Petersen has made a couple nice saves. The first 2 - a wide-open Crosby and a Rust perfect deflection - weren't soft goals by any stretch of the imagination. The PP goal - right or wrong I always cut goalies slack when their team is down a man.

 

The 4th goal was ... not good. I would say "deflating" but the Flyers don't seem to deflate this season. But now they need 3 in a row or at least 2.

 

 

I really surprised the Pens are winning! 4-3.

1 hour ago, RonJeremy said:

You can say that about a lot of NHL teams. There are so many teams with much more talent than the Flyers who are totally underperforming this year. On paper we are a bottom ten team. We have Torts who gets the most out of the least and we have a bunch of other teams underachieving. That’s the only reason we are in a playoff spot. You also have  two defensemen who basically did nothing for their entire careers, that are having breakout seasons in their UFA contract years. Don’t be fooled this team has a long way to go in the rebuild.

Yes I agree on the rebuild!  That's why I say they don't want to win. 

37 minutes ago, RonJeremy said:

I sense a loss coming. You had an emotional 2-1 loss to the Rangers at home, now your on the road ,back to back games against a rested team that needs the win alot more than the Flyers do. 

Your statement would make sense if the Penguins wanted to make the playoffs.  For some reason they rather play golf after game 82!

35 minutes ago, RonJeremy said:

I sense a loss coming. You had an emotional 2-1 loss to the Rangers at home, now your on the road ,back to back games against a rested team that needs the win alot more than the Flyers do. 

Pens don't want to win! Flyers 6-1. Pens score 1 if they are lucky.

Pens traded this years 1st rounder to obtain Eric Karlsson. (This pick is top 10 protected.)from San Jose. They will forfeit another year 1st rounder if they finish 23rd or lower. I suspect the Pens will trade Jake Guentzel to replace that years pick. Yet this organization is starting to really pissing me off. 

1 hour ago, IllaZilla said:

Unfortunately the Wild are committed to winning. They just don’t have the talent to do much. 
 

They’ll probably do just enough to get into the playoffs and then flame out. Or just miss the playoffs and get a 15-20 pick. Continue the cycle of mediocrity and the “Wait ‘til NEXT season!” mantra…

Pens just lost to the Islanders 5-4 in overtime. They are looking to get to one of the top 5 picks. The players want an early tee time. Like as soon as game 82 ends. 

Maybe the Wild, like the Penguins, are winning just enough to look like they're not trying to tank?

On 2/6/2024 at 8:26 AM, IllaZilla said:

 

I read that and it basically is the same thing they've been saying all year: We've got to play better. Well, duh.

Kris Letang said the Pens are not committed to winning. It sounds like the Wild are on the same path.