First of all I am a huge fan but in all fairness I must be frank. Secondly wishing Don Maloney and his family the best after losing his father. I just lost my mother to cancer a month ago and the pain is great.

Apr. 2, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes left wing Rob Klinkhammer (36) skates out after being named a star of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Jobing.com Arena. The Coyotes beat the Kings 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Breaking down the trades is simple and the grade is too. This is a D- for the Coyotes and it vexes me they seem to be giving up on this season. At least get something in return.

Raffi Torres traded to division rival San Jose for a 3rd round pick. Brendan McMillan (an 85th overall pick in 2008) received for Lombardi means we are giving up 2 veterans for average role players at best if they even make it out of the minors. Do we really need to talk about Steve Sullivan?

The day after the Coyotes honor Sully for his 1000th game and give the photo collage  with all his teams us being the shortest but biggest picture, he is traded for a whopping 7th rounder. When did we become the Suns?

I am a big Don Maloney fan. I would take Tippett, Maloney, and Nealy over any other brass in the NHL. This feels like Don went to be with his family and someone lost their mind in his absence.

When you trade 3 top 2 liners for a bag of pucks it smells pretty bad. Not as bad as selling 1st round picks for cash Sarver. But if you are a fan holding onto post season hopes, forget that.

No way anyone can sell us on the fact infusing a few Portland prospects into a line up already missing Korpikoski, Michalek, Smitty, etc. a cohesive unit based on chemistry. Every time Dave Tippett works his magic you change the equation. I feel bad for Tippett as he is always asked to do the impossible. Make a winner out of a patchwork of talent with no real star and constant turbulence.

Many thought the Kings game would determine whether we were buyers or sellers. In the end we just stuck our product on the corner and asked for a small donation. Keith Yandle and Derrick Morris were much more attractive pieces who will become unrestricted free agents and they were not moved or re-signed. Go figure.

I usually say everybody Howl at this point. Right now I just want everyone to breathe and stop talking like this is the sign of the end for hockey in the valley of the sun. Keep hope alive.

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY

At this point we know this much: NOTHING! We do know Seattle, Las Vegas and Markham are pretty excited to have an opportunity to snag and established hard working team with an excellent coach. Also some people in Quebec City think they have an outside shot to dust off the Colisee Pepsi and house a relocated team for a few seasons until they build a proper arena.

Unfortunately for Canadian hopefuls the NHL will make too much money off charging them an expansion fee. Gary Bettman has vowed to stay in the Phoenix market and has remained patient for going on 4 years now. If the Coyotes were to leave there are a few spots here in the U.S. that will be priorities for Bettman. #1 is Phoenix which I suggested before I heard it anywhere. You have US Airways and if Glendale wants to play around with the possibility of losing the Coyotes and turning Westgate into a ghost town then let the angry East Valley residents fill up the Arena where the Suns play.

Seattle is putting a package together which includes possibility of reclaiming the Sonics by snaring the Kings from Sacramento.  An Arena to house them both is in the planning stage. Las Vegas is a bit of a reach with the gambling implications so close to home. No professional franchise has cracked into that market as of yet. Bettman wants to keep western teams in the US so Coyotes fans should take that into account when worrying about losing their team.

We get statements from all parties involved saying “We were not able to complete the purchase by the deadline give” and “We will continue to wok with the City of Glendale and Greg Jamison.”

Glendale claims they have a few other prospective owners who are ready to step up and make bids to secure a lease for years to come. Mayor Jerry Weiers is very smug about the position he newly occupies. I fear the Mayor and the city he presides over is missing the point. They need the Coyotes more than the Coyotes need them. Westgate and Jobing.com will die without them.