Archives For Phoenix Coyotes

Why Roy? Tippett Has Been Outstanding

March 27, 2012 — Leave a comment

“Last year we went up to Quebec City to do a piece for the Heritage Classic, and we interviewed (Patrick) Roy.  And I asked him off-camera about going to the NHL, and he told just a hilarious story . . . he said, ‘Last summer, I was out golfing in July and I said to myself, ‘Is the owner happy with me here?’ and I said, ‘Yes, because I am the owner.’ And he says, ‘Is the GM happy with me here?’ and I thought, ‘Yes, because I am the GM.’ Is the coach happy with me here? Well, yes, because I am the coach. I won’t get that in the NHL.” – Elliotte Friedman on the March 23, 2012 episode of Prime Time Sports (FAN590) recalling an anecdote about Quebec Remparts owner, general manager and head coach Patrick Roy.

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It’s not so much an elephant in the room as it is the Coyotes in the desert for the NHL.

Along with all the whispers and rumours about a new locale for the Desert Dogs is the presumed done-deal that is Patrick Roy taking over bench duties if the team heads from Quebec City.

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In Montreal Canadiens, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes
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Coyotes Deserted By Potential Lockout

March 23, 2012 — Leave a comment

Coyotes Captain Shane Doan knocks Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows to the ice. (Image Courtesy Canada.com)

Hope may be high in the desert right now as the Phoenix Coyotes head toward another playoff berth, but a desert storm may be coming in the form of a lockout.

After a work stoppage claimed the 2004-05 NHL season, the league and its fans rejoiced when talks saw the league, and its players, walk away with a brand new collective bargaining agreement in July of 2005. That agreement was set to end in the summer of 2011, with the NHLPA having the option to renew it through 2012.

The NHLPA renewed, and with CBA talks scheduled to begin again this summer, the fear is another lockout could be coming. With player salaries climbing, some owners looking for additional revenue sharing, and a salary cap floor that is keeping small market teams from making money, it looks as though it could be a long off-season for NHL fans.

For Coyotes fans especially, another work stoppage is cause for concern.

“A lockout would probably kill the team,” said Heather Frackiewicz, a Coyotes season ticket holder and high school french teacher in the Phoenix area. Continue Reading…

In NHL, Phoenix Coyotes
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It’s Radim Vrbata’s Desert, You’re Just Playing In It

January 25, 2012 — Leave a comment

It was July 1, 2008 and Radim Vrbata was just coming off of a career year in Phoenix.  His 56 points in 76 games played — 27 goals and 29 assists — were career bests, his role on the team was that of a top-liner, and he was in line for a healthy raise from the highest bidder.  Soon, Tampa Bay would come calling, and Vrbata would be out of the desert and off to Florida.

Then Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster signed Vrbata for three seasons at a total value of $9 million.  For a player that hadn’t had a permanent NHL home for more than two seasons, it was looking like Vrbata had a place to settle in for the foreseeable future.  As the season got underway, however, it was clear that something wasn’t quite right with the Czech winger.

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In NHL, Phoenix Coyotes
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