NHL Lockout: Good or Bad for the Phoenix Coyotes?

Howlin’ for a Goal with Howler by Troy Baker

The history of the Phoenix Coyotes has been a turbulent one. It is filled with many twists and turns. In the last stanza of this mystery stands the scrappy and overachieving Coyotes. Fresh off a Pacific Division Championship and a deep run ending in the Western Conference Finals.

Greg Jamison is on deck ready to knock ownership woes out of the park. Unfortunately, the game has been postponed due to rain. So what does this mean for the Phoenix Coyotes, their fans, and the City of Glendale?

My opinion is this: If you’re on a date and she seems disinterested, threatens to go home early, or even claims she may date your friend. That’s bad. But if she asks to go back to your place for a nightcap. Tell the waiter “Check Please!”

Strike while the iron is hot. Fans are primed and ready to go. Why stop the momentum and enthusiasm of a deep playoff run? You are Pacific Division Champions. You were a few goals away from playing for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Shane Doan just re-signed for four years and will retire with the same franchise who drafted him.

Greg Jamison has agreed to a deal in principle. Investors have their money. Season ticket holders have their security blanket back. The City of Glendale is on board. The hockey planets are aligned for the best form of success in franchise history.

As former Steelers coach Bill Cowher says before and after every play: “Let’s GO!”

What could possibly go wrong?

Well as fans of the Coyotes will tell you, We’ve been down this road before. Anything can happen. Already so many disappointments to date.  Bankruptcy. Almost losing the team. Ah and those dreaded Red Wings.

Greg Jamison could change his mind and decide it just won’t work. Investors could back out. Who knows what cold feet come with millions of dollars. City of Glendale could nix the deal. An initiative will be decided on the November ballot to decide if a sales tax increase stays in place. Could spell doom for the City of Glendale’s budget and plans to pay Arena Management fee. The City has all but went south on a deal in place with Jamison. They are now renegotiating the management fee for Jobing.com. There is just so much that can go wrong by sitting in neutral.

But not all believe in this theory. Some say the lockout benefits the Coyotes. That more time will mean no fiscal pressure and plenty of time to get ownership affairs in order. Less financial losses coincide with less games played.  The Coyotes have and will always lose money. So less of a season means less money lost?

I on the contrary feel a deal is being held up by the NHL itself. That part of negotiation and revenue sharing includes using the Phoenix Coyotes as a bargaining chip. I am confident that within a week after the lockout ends, magically Jamison and the NHL will announce a finalized deal is done. Completed.  Secured. Finally finished, you may even hear a collective sigh of relief in the Valley of the Sun. Hockey can work in the Desert.

Good or bad? Let’s drop the puck and find out.