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Bieksa and the Jets

October 15, 2010, 11:37 AM ET [ Comments]
Peter Tessier
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Bieksa to the Habs? Perhaps. Perhaps not too, the guy has to make it to the deadline or January if he is to be traded and there must not be too many injuries to Vancouver as well. To complicate any deal involving Bieksa the Canucks need to have some call up options should and/when the injuries happen if oe before Bieksa is moved. This is regardless of Salo's return, then there is the whole cap situation.

There is one consistent thing to Bieksa- he has stated at times that he is not opposed to going back east, closer to family and friends. For the Canucks it will be a choice of retaining half-nut or half-assed before losing them as UFAs.

The Phoenix...err Winnipeg situation gets slightly more complicated with some more details leaking about about golden boy financier Mathew Hulsizer. Go read Dave Shoalts' article in the Globe and Mail sports section for a complete review...

There are two points from Shoalts which I will touch on...

First:

The NHL governor said many of his peers are not keen on seeing the Coyotes return to Winnipeg, which they left in 1996. But if the alternative is that each team owner has to write a big cheque to cover the NHL’s losses on the Coyotes, “we will go to Winnipeg,” the governor said.


This quote should be looked at quite carefully. What it says (if accurate) is the BOG is not sold on the move, at least as a significant majority. It also says the BOG/owners probably have more financial issues than we are aware about (no kidding) and have no desire to prop up franchises. Probably even less desire or ability to even consider contraction. Glendale has 250,000 people greater Winnipeg about 700,000. Forget greater Phoenix there has been 15 years to draw from that fan base and it has not proved successful. Clearly though the BOG or one anonymous governor, feels that the lesser of two evils is better and that is a good thing and a bad thing for Winnipeg.

Second:

According to a story in the Republic, the city owes $500-million on sports facilities it built to attract professional teams to Glendale, including a $180-million investment in Jobing.com Arena. That is a staggering sum for a city of 250,000 people. Thanks to the recession, entertainment and retail developments that were supposed to spring up to provide the revenue to pay the debt have either failed to materialize or are bringing in a fraction of the projected income.


This is ugly. Very ugly and concerning for anyone who pays taxes. Here's the kicker though:

Given that the entire sports district around Jobing.com Arena raised just $13-million in sales tax in 2009, it does not seem likely a “community-facilities district” would produce enough revenue to cover the city’s obligations to the Coyotes’ owner.


The City is in for $500 million and can only raise 13 million in taxes in the very area designed to cover losses for the team. At an $80 average ticket price in the MTS centre a team in Winnipeg would draw that revenue from gate alone in 11 games. The Coyotes require 29 games for the same amount with their average per game gate take of $450,000 from last year. It's not hard to see that no one to come to the table wants to put their money on the line in these market conditions. They are preying on the city and it's $500 million stake to add a few more dollars each year in hopes of reducing the damage, and if not there will certainly be an out clause.

Citizens of Glendale get out now!!! I respect your enthusiasm and passion but you are going down a slope, which even in a hockey saturated market such as Winnipeg, they would not go down 15 years ago. Don't do it!

Easy for me to say though, I'm biased.

So what's going on in Winnipeg these days? The MTS Iceplex was opened in September. I was there at the opening for business reasons and had a chance to talk to some folks there as random business guy not 'shady' hockey blogger.

First off, MP Steven Fletcher, Premier Greg Selinger, Mayor Sam Katz and a host of municipal politicians were in attendance for the grand opening. The Wheat Kings were practicing, the fitness facility was open and free food for everyone smiles all around but not a mention of NHL hockey until after the 'official' proceedings.

I cornered a particularly interesting person, (tip given to me from a family member) and had a chat. Here's what was said in a 'Cole's Notes' form.

There is a complete and total strategic plan for the relocation of a team to Winnipeg.
True North Sports has met all requirements by the NHL (hence the Iceplex) for a team
Winnipeg's economic feasibility has been studied in several economic factors
The provincial and federal governments are on board. (this is very important for other reasons) (I am personally against government involvement unless it is a loan structure to be repaid)
The ownership group has proceeded to provide open results of due diligence to NHL
All current luxury box lease holders have given a 100% commitment to a fee schedule based on a NHL tenant.
There may be testimonial work being done by NHL players who say they would play in Winnipeg. (My interpreted paraphrase- still trying to understand the cryptic message it was said in.)

Why is the federal government support so important? First off the Feds put themselves in a very awkward situation when they announced support to an arena/team initiative in Quebec City. Out west that information was not received well. There are more than a few other projects which would like some federal dollars. Two arenas in Alberta, a new stadium in Regina and Winnipeg as well are projects needing dollars, federal dollars. What if the Feds already had a plan in place? What if the Winnipeg conditions are the breeding ground for any future project funds for the rest of the country in relation to pro sports?

I think the Feds want to be involved in any Winnipeg team project because it gives them leverage for future requests. They can influence if not dictate the terms of involvement based on previous commitments. The Feds will be quietly involved in this process should it get to a point where a team comes to Winnipeg, and like all politicians, they will make a huge noise if it happens taking much of the accolades.

+++++

Game Day!

The Canucks visit the Kings tonight and fans are probably hoping for two things, better officials and less bonehead penalties in the game.

Regardless of how Canucks fans feel the Anaheim game was called the team gave the officials lots to work with that night. The game should have been a 6-2 Vancouver win but when players don't convert on chances you keep the other team in it.

Raymond and Kesler are due to score at some point- in most games (of 3) they have done everything right when it comes to offense the puck just needs to go in and it will. I have faith. For the defense though there are still some kinks to work out. One thing I noticed against Anaheim is the top 6 still are not used to each others tendencies. This 'issue' is corrected over time and require more communication and awareness.

For the forwards a few guys have to change things up, Torres and Samuelsson in particular. I expected Torres to spend more time in front creating chaos than he has and I have expected Samuelsson to get more shots on the rush from Hank and Dan. So far he has seemed a step behind most nights to me.

The Canucks have said they are 'holding on to tight' and need to relax a bit and get into 'their game'. Tonight against a new rival would be a good time to start. As of now I have not heard on any lineup changes but will Tweet info as I see it.

www.twitter.com/Teddier


Enjoy the game!
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