Arizona Coyotes: Desert Digest, Vol. IV

Oct 3, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; NHL linesman Jay Sharrers (57) drops the puck for San Jose Sharks right wing Adam Burish (37) and Arizona Coyotes center Justin Hodgeman (52) during the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Hey guys! It’s season opener week, and all that implies. A ton has happened in the past week, so let’s make sure that you’re up to date on everything you might have missed-

The Coyotes cut Max Domi (and every other Fantastic Five member)

Can anyone tell that I’m bitter about this? I’m bitter about this. I spent hours- nay, days- explaining to all of you about how great the team’s youth core would be this year. It’s totally not going to happen anymore.

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When explaining why the team cut some of it’s brightest new stars, head coach Dave Tippett was insistent that fans be patient with the younger players. He reminded the Coytes community that a “winning movement” is much more effective than a youth movement, and rushing players who don’t seem quite ready for a full season of NHL play are better served to spend an extra season- whether partial or complete- developing.

As someone who is a descendant of miserable Toronto Maple Leafs fans, I’m inclined to agree here. Tippett even reminded fans to look at Mikkel Boedker, if they need an example of a player whose rushed development might have stunted his growth.

To read more about Domi’s reassignment, click here.

Andrew Barroway and ICE Arizona

Yep, looks like the Coyotes are being sold again- although this sale is only for a 51 % share of the team, and is therefore classified as a “financial restructuring”. Whatever, it’s a sale.

I’ll spare you the nitty-gritty details, but the long and short of the deal is that uber-successful finance man Andrew Barroway has offered to spend double what the team was originally sold for, in order to buy a majority share of the team. NHL.com has confirmed that a sale is currently in negotiation between ICE Arizona and a second party, though Barroway’s name was not mentioned in the team’s official press release.

Should the sale go through, Anthony Leblanc seems determined to use it to boost the team’s revenue and help solidify its standing in Glendale. He has insisted that rumors of the sale being a precursor to the Arizona Coyotes moving elsewhere (like, say, Seattle or Las Vegas) are false.

To read the original story as it broke, click here.

Coyotes overthrow Canucks in the pre-season

When Radim Vrbata departed for Vancouver, many suggested that losing his scorepower would ultimately be the team’s downfall as they aimed to make the post-season. This week’s pre-season matchup, though, doesn’t seem to indicate any such issue:

"What was most important to note, though, was that the Coyotes seemed to have recovered well from the loss of Vrbata’s scorepower. The final score was 4-2, and the scoring chances reflected the final score. The Coyotes outshot the Canucks 35-25- without Vrbata on their side of the ice- and Ryan Miller simply wasn’t able to keep up with the onslaught of well-placed and well-timed chances that kept heading his way."

To read the full overview of this pre-season matchup, click here.

Laurent Dauphin is here to stay

Tiny story, and seemingly insignificant. When your team signs a player described in his prospect report as one of the few true “200-foot players” in the league, though, things could look up. Laurent Dauphin claims to model his playing after Patrice Bergeron… what could be better? He’s been signed to a three-year ELC, which the team will hopefully get some good from.

Check out his player profile here.