[Rumour] Coyotes owner put in letter of intent to buy 41 acres of land in Mesa, Arizona

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

If you care that much you should ask Scorp where the information came from.

I've followed enough news about major development projects in the U.S. over the years to know that this kind of litigation is not at all unusual. There's generally a NIMBY or two who wants to kill any given project; they are most often unsuccessful.

I'm honestly rather surprised that anyone wouldn't regard this as common knowledge. I'm beyond surprised that anyone would think of it as propaganda put out by the Meruelo group.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Jordan!

I would be 100% be on board for a complete team re-branding to be honest.. The name Coyotes has a stink to it. Has that ever been done in pro sports? Phoenix Scorpions?

Phoenix Snowbirds

[Reggie Dunlop]

Phoenix Kleenex

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I don't see how that would be possible TBH. Would have to be at least three more seasons at Mullet. No way they are breaking ground in June/July. They haven't even bought the land yet and all the architecture, etc would take a lot of time.

It's kind of funny though because I do think the Goalposts keep moving.

The arena needs to be downtown in Tempe in Mesa in Scottsdale .... adjacent to Scottsdale will be fine!

I hope it works for them but really I don't see how a location adjacent to Scottsdale (let's assume it's north of Scottsdale) is really a better location than anything else.

I don't know the obsession with trying to build their own arena. I haven't been in Arizona for a few years now (because of school and now on a military base in the East) but as far as I know the population in Arizona (especially Phoenix) is growing at a crazy pace because of Californians moving. Lots of commercial being made everywhere and becoming a top place to live in with weather. I do know people like the grid system they have too. So easy to know where you're going street wise. A very organized place.

Back on topic, it was kind of a blessing in disguise they aren't in Glendale anymore. No one wants to make that drive. They do for the Cardinals, but that's 8/9x a year. Yes, they didn't make their payments and had financial trouble and conflict with Glendale as a whole, but I am so glad they aren't there anymore.

Unless this Mesa/Phoenix/other city goes through, I find it hard for them to find a home in Arizona. My first go-to would have been to the Phoenix Suns and see if the building could be shared. Lots of other teams do it. As far as I know, the previous Suns ownership said hell no. I am not sure about the new group, but I would be doing everything within my power to try and get the Coyotes playing downtown. Feel like that would be the best way to get everyone back over there. However, I will be quick to point out that I have NOT looked into the Phoenix Suns ownership and if that is something they would be willing to do. My guess is no, I would imagine it's already been tried.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I've followed enough news about major development projects in the U.S. over the years to know that this kind of litigation is not at all unusual. There's generally a NIMBY or two who wants to kill any given project; they are most often unsuccessful.

I'm honestly rather surprised that anyone wouldn't regard this as common knowledge. I'm beyond surprised that anyone would think of it as propaganda put out by the Meruelo group.

Litigation of this type seems rare. Dismissing it as some nuisance lawsuit is factually incorrect.

Phoenix killed the Tempe stadium deal in 2001 with the same tactic. Why ignore that? You're saying it's common knowledge that this time would have been different?

[Lanny_McDonald]

The Suns arena (Footprint Center) is not setup for hockey and after the $230 reno completed a couple years ago it is a non-starter. Footprint is a dedicated basketball/concert facility now and the renovation did not do anything to any ice making facilities in the building. I spoke with one of their executives at a retreat and he stated that if an event that needed ice was booked they would have to bring in temporary ice making systems. For example, Cirque du Solei is a regular performer at Footprint and they are bypassing Phoenix and going to Tucson with Crystal (ice show) largely because of availability of an ice surface. Without discussing the atrocious sightlines for hockey there are too many hurdles to jump there to be viable.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

The Suns arena (Footprint Center) is not setup for hockey and after the $230 reno completed a couple years ago it is a non-starter. Footprint is a dedicated basketball/concert facility now and the renovation did not do anything to any ice making facilities in the building. I spoke with one of their executives at a retreat and he stated that if an event that needed ice was booked they would have to bring in temporary ice making systems. For example, Cirque du Solei is a regular performer at Footprint and they are bypassing Phoenix and going to Tucson with Crystal (ice show) largely because of availability of an ice surface. Without discussing the atrocious sightlines for hockey there are too many hurdles to jump there to be viable.

Interesting. They ripped out the ice making equipment in Houston but have plans to put in new equipment this summer. The setup is fine for hockey though, no mods required.

There has to be diminishing returns with multiple arenas in a metro area. Houston and Dallas are bigger cities and very spread out. Yet they each have only one major arena. although some other venues that are smaller for smaller concerts etc.

[Vinny01]

Coyotes account just tweeted “new arena?”

If they secure a deal to stay in Arizona I wonder if that moves the needle for a Hanifin trade. I could see his reluctance to stay if the Franchise moves to Quebec or Salt Lake City

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Coyotes account just tweeted “new arena?”

If they secure a deal to stay in Arizona I wonder if that moves the needle for a Hanifin trade. I could see his reluctance to stay if the Franchise moves to Quebec or Salt Lake City

Is the one in Quebec City still new enough to consider it as new lol ?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

Is the one in Quebec City still new enough to consider it as new lol ?

I think with Winnipeg somewhat struggling with ticket sales and there being several other markets that are interested like Houston, SLC, Kansas City, Atlanta that there would almost be no chance QC is in the mix for a team any time soon.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think with Winnipeg somewhat struggling with ticket sales and there being several other markets that are interested like Houston, SLC, Kansas City, Atlanta that there would almost be no chance QC is in the mix for a team any time soon.

I think Quebec City would work as far as ticket sales and corporate support would go, but it's a small TV market and small market overall. It does nothing to help grow the game or boost franchise values.

The only way I think QC ever gets another team is a Thrasher/Jets scenario where a team has to relocate on the spot and they need a place that is ready to go, but such scenarios are pretty rare.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think with Winnipeg somewhat struggling with ticket sales and there being several other markets that are interested like Houston, SLC, Kansas City, Atlanta that there would almost be no chance QC is in the mix for a team any time soon.

All of the rumored expansion teams are pretty much western teams at the moment. The league likes balance between East and West.

Quebec City would make sense if you expand to say Houston and relocate Arizona to Quebec.

Maintains the balance and allows for them to wait until more suitable markets open up on the East Coast.

[Freeway]

I can't find the "Well, we're waiting!" GIF from Caddyshack but, well, we're waiting...

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

All of the rumored expansion teams are pretty much western teams at the moment. The league likes balance between East and West.

Quebec City would make sense if you expand to say Houston and relocate Arizona to Quebec.

Maintains the balance and allows for them to wait until more suitable markets open up on the East Coast.

They could move Chicago or Nashville to the East pretty easily as opposed to going into a small market that collects revenue in a weaker currency.

[Tuco]

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

They could move Chicago or Nashville to the East pretty easily as opposed to going into a small market that collects revenue in a weaker currency.

I always thought Nashville should be in the east despite their time zone. It just seems like the would be more natural fan interest seeing them play teams in the southeast than in the west on a more regular basis.

[Funkhouser]

I still think Austin is the best potential home for a new franchise. The NHL seems to do well in mid-sized centres that are underserviced by pro sports (San Jose, Nashville, Vegas...)

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

I still think Austin is the best potential home for a new franchise. The NHL seems to do well in mid-sized centres that are underserviced by pro sports (San Jose, Nashville, Vegas...)

I don’t know if I would include San Jose, considering at one point they had the Giants, A’s, Warriors, 49ers, Raiders, and Quakes.

[Strange Brew]

Silicon Valley is not generally considered part of SF or Oakland but they are close together obviously. I wouldn’t consider those teams to belong to San Jose.

I don’t know if NHL does well in true one sport towns, Canadian markets aside? Columbus?

As for the Coyotes, they leak info about a closing in on a site to try and defuse difficult conversations at the BOG meeting. And silence since.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Silicon Valley is not generally considered part of SF or Oakland but they are close together obviously. I wouldn’t consider those teams to belong to San Jose.

I don’t know if NHL does well in true one sport towns, Canadian markets aside? Columbus?

Saint Paul.