The Ongoing Coyotes Sale Thread

[flambers]

Originally Posted by getbak

Keep in mind, most UFAs are married.

It's one thing for a player to want to play in a big-time hockey market and be mobbed everywhere he goes. It's a lot different when he has a wife who's sitting at home during those long road trips in January, or standing idly by while her husband is mobbed everywhere he goes.


I was reading a story the other day about one of Gretzky's kids, who's a top baseball prospect who has already accepted a scholarship to play college ball in San Diego, and is now waiting to find out how high he'll go in the MLB draft. In the story he talks about how different it is to see how his dad is treated in Canada versus the States. Here, he can't go anywhere without being recognized, there, he's just another kid's dad (it also helps that he goes to the same school as Will Smith's kid).

For sure, there are players who want nothing to do with playing for a Canadian team.

On the other side, there are players who want to play in a pure hockey market ......

[Muta]

Originally Posted by getbak

Keep in mind, most UFAs are married.

It's one thing for a player to want to play in a big-time hockey market and be mobbed everywhere he goes. It's a lot different when he has a wife who's sitting at home during those long road trips in January, or standing idly by while her husband is mobbed everywhere he goes.


I was reading a story the other day about one of Gretzky's kids, who's a top baseball prospect who has already accepted a scholarship to play college ball in San Diego, and is now waiting to find out how high he'll go in the MLB draft. In the story he talks about how different it is to see how his dad is treated in Canada versus the States. Here, he can't go anywhere without being recognized, there, he's just another kid's dad (it also helps that he goes to the same school as Will Smith's kid).

Meh. If you really want to make it work, playing in a hockey-mad city and having a family, you can definitely do it. Conroy comes immediately to mind.

I still think the weather and non-recognition in public get tossed around too too much as excuses. Even with a family, I'd much rather be recognized and pushed that much more on the ice, within an electric atmosphere. If you love hockey, you'll live it as much as you can.

Don't get me wrong - there are players out there that are comfortable taking it easy and playing in obscure locations for those reasons. However, I wouldn't want to be that type of player.

[kipperfan]

Anyone out there saying that Winnipeg will not have a problem acquiring players (VIA free agency) is coming across as very disingenuous IMO. I think, if done right, the franchise could survive for a good long time, but to think it won't be one of the, it not the least favoured destination in the league is pretty foolish IMO.

And I hate to say it, but the Jets (or whatever they may be called) are going to suck immediately upon arrival, Jets fans thinking they're going to be getting a playoff team are in dream land. The vast majority of the team has their contracts up for renewal this offseason and with the comments we've already heard in public, I would be shocked and appalled if they don't loose many of them, including the teams lynch pin Bryz.

My predication - Jets are announced as returning to Winnipeg ASAP, they battle Oil for last place next year (God only knows who will win that epic battle) and will miss playoffs for at least first 3 years in Winnipeg, possibly longer.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

The vast majority of the team has their contracts up for renewal this offseason and with the comments we've already heard in public, I would be shocked and appalled if they don't loose many of them, including the teams lynch pin Bryz.

I'm sure they would lose some players, but there are only so many jobs in the NHL to be had.

[You Need a Thneed]

Phoenix has made the playoffs before with players no one else wanted.

Good management making the team a good team to play for overcomes any negativity from being a "nowhere" city, IMO.

I think that would be key for Winnipeg, run the team well, and have the right perks for players.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

will miss playoffs for at least first 3 years in Winnipeg, possibly longer.

I don't really agree with your doom and gloom situation, but if you're going to miss the playoffs, doing it right off the bat is the best time to do it. The honeymoon period last a few years and fans will come no matter what the product is on the ice. Just look at the Wild.....they've more or less sucked for years with the most boring product in the league, and they've only recently had any form of fan backlash.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by troutman

I'm sure they would lose some players, but there are only so many jobs in the NHL to be had.

The good players are all that matter, if they lose Jason LaBarerra and Eric Belanger nobody is really going to care much (and for good reason). If, for example, they lose Bryz, I simply see no easy way of replacing him and frankly, just losing him alone makes them a non playoff team rather easily. If they lose Turris or Boedker as RFA's, even with compensation they'd recieve in the form of draft picks, it would set the team back years. They currently have no goaltenders signed for next season and have 2 defencemen (Derek Morris and R. Klesla!!!) signed past next season.

Add all of this to the "rumour" that the team captain, best player and only one that has every played in Winnipeg on the current roster does not want to go back, and you got a heap of problems if you ask me.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Phoenix has made the playoffs before with players no one else wanted.

Good management making the team a good team to play for overcomes any negativity from being a "nowhere" city, IMO.

I think that would be key for Winnipeg, run the team well, and have the right perks for players.

Phoenix is making the playoffs because they have one of the best coachs in the league (and if they can hold onto him, I admit that will give them a decent chance most years) and the most underrated goaltender in the league. Not because of Vernon Fiddler, Eric Belanger and friends.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I don't really agree with your doom and gloom situation, but if you're going to miss the playoffs, doing it right off the bat is the best time to do it. The honeymoon period last a few years and fans will come no matter what the product is on the ice. Just look at the Wild.....they've more or less sucked for years with the most boring product in the league, and they've only recently had any form of fan backlash.

Thats a fair point, and I never said the timing might not work for them, in fact a couple of posts back I conceded the Jets should work with good management and proper planning. It just seems to me, especially from reading threads on the subject in this forum, that many "soon to be" Jets fans are expecting to see a clone of the current Phoenix Coyotes team playing in Winnipeg next season, and I personally don't agree with that premise.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

The good players are all that matter, if they lose Jason LaBarerra and Eric Belanger nobody is really going to care much (and for good reason). If, for example, they lose Bryz, I simply see no easy way of replacing him and frankly, just losing him alone makes them a non playoff team rather easily. If they lose Turris or Boedker as RFA's, even with compensation they'd recieve in the form of draft picks, it would set the team back years. They currently have no goaltenders signed for next season and have 2 defencemen (Derek Morris and R. Klesla!!!) signed past next season.

Add all of this to the "rumour" that the team captain, best player and only one that has every played in Winnipeg on the current roster does not want to go back, and you got a heap of problems if you ask me.

In first with the customary Bouwmeester for ___DOAN___ joke.
I think this team will have somewhat the look of Bad News Bears... Mind you, they already do to a large extent, but if they lose Bryzgalov they will be in tough. As long as Tippett/King are there, I think the team will be at least as competitive as Minnesota. If they are smart, they will lock Tippett into a Trotz/Ruff life-time arrangement...

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by troutman

I'm sure they would lose some players, but there are only so many jobs in the NHL to be had.

Exactly. Plus add in the salary cap and certain teams' budgetary concerns. At the end of the day there is a finite number of jobs and cash to go around.

Players are free to roll the dice in Russia if they don't like their NHL options.

[Scrollbar]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

And I hate to say it, but the Jets (or whatever they may be called) are going to suck immediately upon arrival, Jets fans thinking they're going to be getting a playoff team are in dream land. The vast majority of the team has their contracts up for renewal this offseason and with the comments we've already heard in public, I would be shocked and appalled if they don't loose many of them, including the teams lynch pin Bryz.

You will be appalled if the Jets didnt lose a lot of free agents? Are you for real?

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Add all of this to the "rumour" that the team captain, best player and only one that has every played in Winnipeg on the current roster does not want to go back, and you got a heap of problems if you ask me.

He and his family have undoubtably put down roots in the area which would make it harder to leave. If the team relocates, he will have to play somewhere else, like it or not.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by Scrollbar

You will be appalled if the Jets didnt lose a lot of free agents? Are you for real?

Yep

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Underdog

The whole notion that QC is a better market than the Peg is laughable. You think Winnipeg will have a tuff time attracting players? Now ask them to move to a city with a similar climate but higher taxes and where EVERYONE speaks french. QC isn't Montreal people.

There are a significant number of players who don't speak English as their 1st language, so I don't think the French thing is an issue. Besides, Quebec City is a very touristy city and it isn't too hard to get by with English. Quebec City is a beautiful city and one of the more unique ones in North America. Aesthetically, it has a leg up on Winnipeg.

While both cities are cold on any scale (as are practically all Canadian cities), Quebec City averages about 4 degrees warmer in the winter, so it is slightly better in that regard.

I'm not talking about financial viability, but I can think of a lot of reasons why someone would rather live in Quebec City over Winnipeg.

[afc wimbledon]

As long as the league has a salary cap Winnipeg will be able to sign players, UFA or not.

[Scrollbar]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Yep

You will be struck with fear, dread, or consternation?

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

He and his family have undoubtably put down roots in the area which would make it harder to leave. If the team relocates, he will have to play somewhere else, like it or not.

Right, I think that kinda goes without saying.

Doesn't however mean he has any desire to move his family back to Winnipeg, a place he's already lived in and played professional hockey in. Maybe his wife and kids dont enjoy cold weather? Maybe he doesn't? Maybe the Doan family likes watching live MLB baseball and NFL football? Who knows. All I know is there is rumour that the guy has no interest in going back, could be total BS, but more likely it is based around facts.

Sorry dude, Winnipeg is simply not a desirable place to be for most people (not saying Calgary is either so please dont go there), esspecially considering the world class cities that currently have NHL teams.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

As long as the league has a salary cap Winnipeg will be able to sign players, UFA or not.

nm

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

As long as the league has a salary cap Winnipeg will be able to sign players, UFA or not.

Sure, but the quality of players is at issue. Especially if Winnipeg ends up with an internal cap lower than the overall cap.