Not me!! Thanks my man!!!
- James_Tanner

Thoughts on Desiigner - Panda?

Sounds like the same problem Edmonton has with too many forwards and no D. Yes they can draft a defenseman who will be two or three years away or why not trade their pick for a good D man who can play right now?

Same goes for their forwards. Why not trade a Domi etc to fill a hole on your back end? Drafting a D man this year won't help them not suck next year.

I'm sorry James. But the Coyotes have had good teams in the past who had terrible attendance. Winning isn't enough in this market...nothing may be, short of getting a downtown arena.

But having an actual homegrown star would help, there's no disputing this. This may be a situation where the Coyotes make a trade that makes the team worse but the attendance better and they consider it a huge success.
- djamon

No. You are completely wrong, which is why I wrote 2000 words saying so.

The Coyotes have had one, maybe two years of decent success, but never have had a team that is annually competitive.

Thoughts on Desiigner - Panda?
- twiztedmike

I'll get back to you.

Sounds like the same problem Edmonton has with too many forwards and no D. Yes they can draft a defenseman who will be two or three years away or why not trade their pick for a good D man who can play right now?

Same goes for their forwards. Why not trade a Domi etc to fill a hole on your back end? Drafting a D man this year won't help them not suck next year.
- sparky

Would Anaheim trade Josh Manson? Could they get Mark Ptsysk (or however you spell it) out of Buffalo? Those guys would stabilize the back-end and not cost too much.

They could grab TJ Brennen out of Toronto for free, he's UFA.

Then I fully expect them to aggressively pursue someone like Cam Fowler, Kevin Shattenkirk or Travis Hamonic with a combination of prospects and high picks.

Two of Toronto's biggest stars ever, Salming and Sundin, were Swedes. Toronto is a place where a lot of talent comes from, but when their best player was Sundin, people liked him better than guys from Toronto.

Larkin is the first "homegrown" player Detroit has had in my lifetime. People love Larkin, and are very excited about him, but almost nobody I ever talk to about him mentions that any part of it is because he's from around here.

People like good players who play for their team, nobody cares where they come from.

No. You are completely wrong, which is why I wrote 2000 words saying so.

The Coyotes have had one, maybe two years of decent success, but never have had a team that is annually competitive.
- James_Tanner

I'm sorry, but the evidence completely contradicts your entire blog. Phoenix actually has some runs of success (3 straights years of top 10 teams) and they finished in the bottom 2 of attendance each of those years. As a matter of fact they've had bottom 10 attendance numbers in every year of their existence, INCLUDING THEIR FIRST YEAR IN THE LEAGUE.

Millions of words have been written about why this team is a financial disaster, but their on ice product is not the problem at this point. I'm not advocating trading for Matthews at all, but if the Coyotes couldn't translate having a truly local superstar on their team into greater attendance figures then they should lose their team immediately. (Instead of 3 years from now when it'll likely happen).

You're assuming ticket sales = attendance. Just because they're selling 78% of their tickets (which is what the ESPN attendance figures are based on), that doesn't mean that's how many people actually come through the gate. For a cellar-dwelling team like the Coyotes, there's probably 1000-2000 "sold" tickets that go unused every game.

MacInnis is a load. He was very impressive in the series against the London Knights. While the Rangers were eliminated in 4 games - MacInnis stood out not only for his size but for his skating and his hands. The Yotes stole this guy in the 2nd round.

You're assuming ticket sales = attendance. Just because they're selling 78% of their tickets (which is what the ESPN attendance figures are based on), that doesn't mean that's how many people actually come through the gate. For a cellar-dwelling team like the Coyotes, there's probably 1000-2000 "sold" tickets that go unused every game.
- tkecanuck341

Those attendance figures should not be taken seriously. A pretty big chunk are giveaways and brought no money.

Those attendance figures should not be taken seriously. A pretty big chunk are giveaways and brought no money.
- djamon

That's what I just said...

I'm sorry, but the evidence completely contradicts your entire blog. Phoenix actually has some runs of success (3 straights years of top 10 teams) and they finished in the bottom 2 of attendance each of those years. As a matter of fact they've had bottom 10 attendance numbers in every year of their existence, INCLUDING THEIR FIRST YEAR IN THE LEAGUE.

Millions of words have been written about why this team is a financial disaster, but their on ice product is not the problem at this point. I'm not advocating trading for Matthews at all, but if the Coyotes couldn't translate having a truly local superstar on their team into greater attendance figures then they should lose their team immediately. (Instead of 3 years from now when it'll likely happen).
- djamon

Stop being sorry. You don't have to feel bad about being completely wrong. Odds are, it'll get you on the radio eventually.

Gimmicks do sometimes work. Mike Underwood is one of the most marketable hometown players in hockey, and the Predators gave up over market value to get him, and it's not because of his on-ice play.
- jmatchett383

FIFY

Good blog Tanner.

I agree, icing a long-term winner is more important than acquiring the hometown boy.

It may not be a good idea to trade OEL for the hometown kid, but...

Stop being sorry. You don't have to feel bad about being completely wrong. Odds are, it'll get you on the radio eventually.
- James_Tanner

Come on, just look up some facts, rather than slinging insults. I know some people on here treat you fairly poorly, but all I've done is disagree with you. No need to become childish.

Great blog James. The Yotes should take blue liners with the two first round picks. And winning is everything! It wont matter where the players are from, if the team stinks.

Come on, just look up some facts, rather than slinging insults. I know some people on here treat you fairly poorly, but all I've done is disagree with you. No need to become childish.
- djamon

Dude, I was only joking around. I gave you my take, you gave me yours. No point in arguing about it all night.

Gimmicks do sometimes work. Mike Fisher is one of the most marketable hometown players in hockey, and the Predators gave up over market value to get him, and it's not because of his on-ice play.
- jmatchett383

Agree with Tanner. The only area I see where this works is in Junior hockey. I know attendance increases in "small" cities with a local kid on the team where ticket prices are around $10 and beers at $3. If you go to major markets and are spending $80 a ticket and drinking $10 beers sorry, but to get folks back you better be winning.

While I not fundamentally opposed to the idea that OEL is more valuable than Mathews, I think your strong stance is silly. Some project Mathews to have the skill and leadership qualities of a toews. And while you may think his hometown connection is silly, the reality is there are a lot of studies that suggest the closer the player is to home, the higher chance you can retain them the bulk of their career. Austin Mathews worshipped the coyotes growing up and is the first superstar that might actually long to play for the coyotes. That is a big deal, that you are massively underestimating. Especially considering OEL's contract will be up by the time the coyotes start to be contenders, (and by the time this chychtun/sergachev become worthy of the top pairing). You also take that trade in isolation. If you fix the defense with some of the trades you outlined a few weeks ago, it's not as crazy to think a trade involving Mathews and OEL could happen. Personally I think Leblanc tipped his hand when e said "the coyotes won't trade OEL for the first pick"...in other words they want more...it's a negotiating tactic. I doubt they will get more out of Toronto so it's a moot point, but I am sure they would love an offer of a top defensive prospect and Mathews for OEL. Thanks for reading!

No. You are completely wrong, which is why I wrote 2000 words saying so.

The Coyotes have had one, maybe two years of decent success, but never have had a team that is annually competitive.
- James_Tanner

I just don't get why you feel you can say this. It's just straight up not true. I grew up during the tkachuk/Roenick years and we were a spectacular team with a lot of playoff appearances and yet low attendance. The problem then was an undersized rink made for the NBA with restricted view seating. The problem now is PRIMARILY the location and secondarily the poor play. I had to give up my season tickets because I simply can't get to the games in time and I live right by Phoenix. Good play obviously increases ticket sales, as does good marketing, but having an arena in the middle of farm fields an hour away from most of it is fanbase is an insurmountable mistake. Move them to Phoenix or Tempe and they will flourish, add in great play and some players to root for and it will be one of the top markets, due to its size, 20 years of in state fans, and the best base for out of state fans given our winter climate.

Good blog Tanner.

I agree, icing a long-term winner is more important than acquiring the hometown boy.
- Tumbleweed

No such thing as a "long-term winner" in the salary cap era.
Both Chicago and LA have had sustained success in the salary cap era. And both may be headed on a downward trend.
It may be splitting hairs, But there will not be any more long term winners as long as there is a salary cap. I think the success that the Hawks and Kings enjoyed is about as long as any team will enjoy winning. Unless you are happy with just making the playoffs, Then i guess both teams may continue to have success.

Agree with Tanner. The only area I see where this works is in Junior hockey. I know attendance increases in "small" cities with a local kid on the team where ticket prices are around $10 and beers at $3. If you go to major markets and are spending $80 a ticket and drinking $10 beers sorry, but to get folks back you better be winning.
- wrister

$3 a beer

Show me the way!

No such thing as a "long-term winner" in the salary cap era.
Both Chicago and LA have had sustained success in the salary cap era. And both may be headed on a downward trend.
It may be splitting hairs, But there will not be any more long term winners as long as there is a salary cap. I think the success that the Hawks and Kings enjoyed is about as long as any team will enjoy winning. Unless you are happy with just making the playoffs, Then i guess both teams may continue to have success.
- camfor

What about the Blues and Red Wings who've made almost all of the playoffs in the last 20 years, or the Penguins and Capitals, who've been competitive every year since the inception of the salary cap? I'm not thinking your theory is based on reality.

No such thing as a "long-term winner" in the salary cap era.
Both Chicago and LA have had sustained success in the salary cap era. And both may be headed on a downward trend.
It may be splitting hairs, But there will not be any more long term winners as long as there is a salary cap. I think the success that the Hawks and Kings enjoyed is about as long as any team will enjoy winning. Unless you are happy with just making the playoffs, Then i guess both teams may continue to have success.
- camfor

how about just build a winning team?

gutting the team to acquire a Center when defense is the biggest need will ensure a losing team for another +5 years.

with the pieces in place now, playoffs in a couple years isn't unrealistic for the yotes. would be crazy from a hockey perspective to throw that away.