Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy has issued an apology to the Arizona Coyotes after taking a crack at the team following his club's Game 5 loss to the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Finals.
After the 4-2 loss on May 27, Cassidy ripped his team's effort and singled out their sloppiness with the puck.
"We had 24 giveaways," Cassidy said. "I'm not sure you're beating the Arizona Coyotes in January with 24 giveaways. That's no disrespect to Arizona, but it's not the right way to play."
The Golden Knights would go on to wrap up the series and clinch the franchise's second trip to the Stanley Cup Finals with a 6-0 won on Monday night.
During Wednesday's press availability, Cassidy offered an unequivocal apology.
"It was disrespectful," he said. "It was a dumb thing to say about puck management, to bring another team in."
Coincidentally, the Golden Knights failed to beat the Coyotes this past January in a 4-1 loss at Mullett Arena in Tempe, but only had two giveaways in the game.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Golden Knights and Florida Panthers is set for the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.
There were some new aircraft, stored 777Xs, typical Southwest mx/storage aircraft, & an Alaska A320 stored in full c/s (N641VA) but the highlight was a Braathens A319 in full c/s (N528VA) that's dodged Coolidge and is surely headed east shortly.
The NHL and NHLPA are currently discussing the possibility of bumping up next year's salary cap by more than the regular $1 million increase, according to TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston.
However, Johnson notes that the two sides won't "make concessions to push the ceiling higher" and the cap number isn't likely to be finalized for another month at the very earliest.
The salary cap for the 2022-23 season was $82.5 million with a floor of $61 million.
This season was the first time the cap increased in three years due to the pandemic as it remained at $81.5 million from the 2019-20 campaign through 2021-22.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly issued a statement Monday refuting a weekend report that Arizona Coyotes players had filed multiple complaints to the NHLPA about "sub-standard travel, lodging and logistical issues" last season.
The report, from the New York Post's Larry Brooks, said: "Slap Shots has also learned that Coyotes players filed multiple complaints with the PA during the season about sub-standard travel, lodging and logistical issues that were in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. That will be addressed this week."
Daly's statement, via PHNX Sports writer Craig Morgan, said: "There is no factual basis for the blurb. The only issue ever brought to my attention related to player concerns related to construction delays in connection with the completion of Mullett Arena," Daly said via the statement on Monday. "No other player complaints were ever brought to my attention; no grievances were filed; and no complaints were adjudicated, either formally or informally."
A reason why the Coyotes might stay in Arizona
Brooks also reported that the NHL likely wouldn't be eager to relocate the Coyotes to another city because of the potential loss in expansion fees by having the team leave Arizona.
"The future of the Coyotes franchise is in the same flux it has been since the team moved to Glendale, Ariz., in 2003, remaining the constant drain on hockey-related revenues it has been with the commissioner's unwavering and zealous support for two decades," he wrote. "This is Gary's Folly. And no, the league will not leap to relocate the franchise when doing so might eliminate a potential expansion destination that could produce an entry fee of between $750 million and $1 billion that would be shared exclusively among the owners."
Houston, Kansas City, Salt Lake City and Milwaukee are some of the locations that have come up in Coyotes relocation speculation.
The Coyotes issued a statement after voters rejected a new arena for the team in Tempe last week, saying "We remain committed to Arizona and have already started re-engaging with local officials and sites to solidify a new permanent home in the Valley. We look forward to sharing more with you in the coming weeks."
Arizona Coyotes top prospect Logan Cooley has elected to return for another season at the University of Minnesota.
Drafted third overall by the Coyotes at the 2022 NHL Draft, Cooley amassed 60 points (22 goals and 38 assists) in 39 games as a freshman with the Golden Gophers. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker award, which was ultimately awarded to University of Michigan 2023 draft-eligible prospect Adam Fantilli.
Cooley, 19, is a product of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
"There's no point to rush. But if you feel you're ready, you feel ready," Cooley said in an interview with The Athletic earlier this year. "We're still in college, still a kid. Once you go to the NHL, it's all business."
The announcement of his decision to return for another year in the NCAA comes three days after the Coyotes' hopes of building a new arena in Tempe were rejected by a public referendum. The Coyotes will continue to play out of Mullett Arena for the 2023-24 season as the team and league start over in their search for a permanent home.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday he's planning to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman about the possibility of moving the Arizona Coyotes to Hartford.
Lamont told reporters during a news availability that he has reached out to the NHL and hopes the meeting can take place sometime next week.
"This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town," Lamont said. "It's evidenced by the passion we have for the Whalers going back years — still one of the best selling jerseys. I think we can guarantee them a very strong market right here, and a government that's ready to come and be their partner.''
Talk of a relocation for the Coyotes has taken on steam since voters in Tempe, Arizona this week rejected referendum for an $2.3 billion entertainment district that would allow the franchise to build a new arena there.
Connecticut has not had an NHL team since the Hartford Whalers left for North Carolina in 1997. The state has just one top-tier professional sports franchise, the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, which plays at the Mohegan Sun Arena, a 10,000-seat facility that is not built for hockey.
The possibility of a move to Connecticut is considered a long shot. Hartford's 48-year-old XL Center, where the Whalers once played, is in need of a major renovation. It's operator, the Capital Region Development Authority, is expected to begin taking bids soon on repairs that it has estimated will cost at least $107 million.
A number of other cities have already been named as potential landing spots for the Coyotes should the franchise choose to move. Those include Atlanta, Portland, Oregon, Kansas City, Houston, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Quebec City and Hamilton, Ontario.
RIGA, Latvia — Lawson Crouse scored twice as Canada remained unbeaten at the world hockey championship with a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
Joe Veleno and Sammy Blais each had a goal and two assists for Canada (4-0, 11 points), while MacKenzie Weegar added a goal and an assist.
"We are trying to get better every day and learn things from every game," Crouse said. "The ultimate goal is to win gold, and we are taking steps forward every day, but we need to keep playing to our identity and playing within our structure."
Adil Beketayev had Kazakhstan's only goal.
Joel Hofer stopped 16 shots for Canada in his national team debut.
Nikita Boyarkin made 35 saves for Kazakhstan.
Weegar took the only penalty in the disciplined game when he was whistled for tripping in the second period.
Canada, which has the next two days off, moved two points ahead of idle Switzerland for top spot in Group B. The two teams will meet Saturday.
"I am happy about how we have played through four games," Canada head coach Andre Tourigny said. "The boys have been having fun together, they fight for each other and they care for each other.
"Structure-wise, they have been playing with their instincts and not over-thinking, and there is less confusion on the ice, which is common for a new team. We are starting to play with more pace, and we are getting close to where we want to be."
Switzerland, which has yet to concede a goal at the tournament and has a full nine points from three regulation wins, returns to action Thursday against Slovakia.
"(The Swiss) are a very structured team that have done a great job of keeping the puck out of their net, so we will need to do whatever we can to generate scoring chances and capitalize on those chances, and take care of the puck in our own zone," Crouse said.
The Arizona Coyotes' bid for a new arena appears to be dead.
In the first release of results from Tuesday's referendum, voters in the Phoenix suburb of Tempe were strongly against three propositions to build a $2.3 billion entertainment district that would include a new arena for the Coyotes.
Opposition to the three propositions had a double-digit lead over those in favor, with only ballots dropped off Tuesday left to count.
"The National Hockey League is terribly disappointed by the results of the public referendum regarding the Coyotes' arena project in Tempe," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We are going to review with the Coyotes what the options might be going forward."
The vote took place after the city of Phoenix and Sky Harbor International Airport expressed concerns about residences that were part of the project in a high-noise area under the airport's flight path.
The Coyotes had hoped a new arena in Tempe would finally allow the franchise to settle down after playing in three different venues since moving to Arizona.
Now it appears the franchise has to search for a new home — again.
"We are very disappointed Tempe voters did not approve Propositions 301, 302, and 303," the Coyotes said. "As Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said, it was the best sports deal in Arizona history. The Coyotes wish to thank everyone who supported our efforts and voted yes."
The team shared a downtown Phoenix arena with the NBA's Phoenix Suns after relocating from Winnipeg in 1996, then moved to Glendale's Gila River Arena in 2003. But the Coyotes had a troubled tenure in the Phoenix suburb.
Then-owner Jerry Moyes took the Coyotes into bankruptcy in 2009 and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie put in a bid to purchase the team with the intention of moving it to Hamilton, Ontario.
The NHL, wanting to keep the team in Arizona, put in a counter bid and a Phoenix judge ruled the team could not be sold to Balsillie to circumvent the NHL's relocation rules.
The league ran the Coyotes for four seasons and the financial constraints took a toll, leading in part to a seven-year playoff drought.
A new ownership group brought new hope in 2013 but turmoil surfaced again in 2015, when the city of Glendale backed out of a long-term, multimillion-dollar lease agreement. The Coyotes leased the arena on an annual basis until Glendale announced it was terminating the contract after the 2021-22 season.
The franchise found a temporary solution, working out a deal to share Arizona State's Mullett Arena for three seasons. The Mullett has a capacity of 5,000 and is by far the smallest home arena in the NHL.
The Coyotes submitted a bid to buy a tract of land in Tempe, and the Tempe City Council voted to begin negotiating on a new entertainment district. The City Council later voted to send the project to a public vote.
The Coyotes thought they were in good standing with the city of Phoenix and Sky Harbor before a legal filing in March sought to rescind Tempe's recent zoning and land-use changes. It also asked to prohibit future residential considerations in an area the FAA says is incompatible with residential development due to its positioning under Sky Harbor flight paths.
The Coyotes countered by filing a $2.3 billion notice of claim against the city of Phoenix for alleged breach of contract.
TheArizona Coyotesface a potential turning point in their tumultuous history when the votes for a proposed new arena complex are counted Tuesday by Tempe city council.
Simply put, if enough "yes" votes come in, then Bluebird Development — a team-affiliated group — will start developing the land in Tempe, promising the Coyotes something they've never had since relocating to Arizona: their own arena.
And if the proposals don't pass? Well ...
As with all things concerning this franchise, the answer is not simple.
Here's what to expect.
Proposed timeline from the official Tempe Entertainment District plan.
What's being proposed?
Propositions 301, 302 and 303 are essentially city council seeking approval from the public to go ahead with a $2.1 billionTempe Entertainment District planthat would result in a development of 46 acres/19 hectares featuring a 16,000-seat arena, 1,900 luxury residential units, a 3,000-seat music venue, high-end retail, upscale restaurants and fancy hotels.
Specifically: Proposition 301 amends the city's general plan for use of the property; Proposition 302 enables the rezoning of the property; and Proposition 303 gives the Coyotes the right to develop the site.
The land is currently mostly a landfill beside the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport thatcaught fire last year.
Who's doing the voting?
Citizens! This is an actual vote done by actual people, a special referendum called solely for this particular project.Council approved the proposal, 7-0, in Novemberand took it to the people, in a tremendous sign of support for democracy.
The voter response has reportedly been off the charts. Last week,PHNX's Craig Morgan reportedturnout was as high as 31 per cent of the 89,575 eligible voters and climbing, which is bananas for this kind of special hyper-local government election. And that was counting only the mail-in ballots; drop-off ballots have yet to be counted.
What's the vibe? How do you think the citizens will vote?
TheTempe Wins campaignhas been pushing this project since its inception, and appears to have the upper hand. It has an aggressive and organized social media approach, a catchy slogan ("From Landfill to Landmark!"), some spiffy renderings withoddly skating animated playersand the backing of people who are a big deal in the area. And we don't just mean Shane Doan.
Alsosupporting the projectare notable former mayors, former council members and prominent business people, some of whom engaged in the door-to-door campaign to foster support. That's right, Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo and GM Bill Armstrong went knocking on Tempe doors, "looking for your vote." Can't imagine Steve Yzerman doing that in Detroit, but there you go.
Those supporting the project say it will bring 6,900 permanent jobs and a tax benefit of $215 billion to Tempe over 30 years. Developers are also touting that all funding will be private, with "no risk to the taxpayers or the city."
Golly, everything is so polarized these days. Surely there is opposition.
Of course there is.
The proximity to the airport has raised some flags, to the point where the City of Phoenix sued to prevent the development because the housing portion was too close to runways and flight paths, violating a previous agreement. Basically, Phoenix is reminding people that airplanes make a lot of noise and they don't make good neighbours. Critics saw the suit as being a petty bit of business by a city that wanted a monopoly on such developments, andthe Coyotes filed a notice of claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, for $2.3 billion – an amount that is, oddly, very close to the projected cost of the development. The two sides seem to have respectively cooled off about those legal maneuvers, but nonetheless they are still out there.
The "no" side is also very suspicious about the guarantee that no public funding will be required, latching on to the seemingly subjective "no risk to the taxpayers or the city" part of the deal, which is reasonable, considering one party's risk is another party's sure thing.
More specifically, the agreement calls for property tax "relief" for a whopping 30 years, which reportedly amounts to $700 million. Then there's the $200 million in infrastructure costs, such as sewers, roads, etc., that the city will be bearing. The widening of the wealth gap also drew criticism, as some of the condos reportedly potentially have million-dollar price tags.
Plus, there is a real concern about the sportsbook that would be attached to the facility, especially given the relative proximity to the susceptible youth of Arizona State University.
Lastly, increased traffic is another criticism that seemingly has juice. Who wants more traffic around the airport?
How does the proposed arena compare to what the Coyotes have played in before?
Wow, I don't think we've got that much time.
When the Coyotes moved from Winnipeg to Phoenix for the 1996-97 season, they played in America West Arena, which was built for the NBA Suns. Thus, it was too small for an NHL-size rink, so part of the upper deck actually hung over the boards and ice, obscuring one-third of the ice – including the net – from portions of the stands. The resulting capacity reduction meant the Coyotes could seat around 16,000 for their games, up slightly from the 15,400 that was deemed to be too small in the aging Winnipeg Arena.
Thus, the Coyotes have been, almost from the beginning of their time in Arizona, searching for appropriate digs. A proposal to build an arena on the former Los Arcos Mall site in Scottsdale was approved by council and voters but met with hostility by influential locals.
So, scampering away from America West in Phoenix more than two months into the 2003-04 season, the Coyotes landed a lease in Glendale at what would become Gila River Arena. The team stayed there for 13 years through ownership changes, bankruptcy, the NHL taking over operation, a lockout, countless failed ownership bids (remember that awkward dance with BlackBerry exec Jim Balsillie?), a threatened relocation to Seattle-Hamilton-Winnipeg-Quebec City-Portland-Kansas City-Las Vegas-Houston, four years of being coached by Wayne Gretzky, a division change, seven years of being on an annual lease and, lastly, being accused by the city of missing tax payments before having its lease terminated effective the end of the 2021-22 season after news leaked the Coyotes were looking for a sweeter arena deal in Tempe.
Kicked out of their home and desperately scanning the desert for an arena, the Coyotes struck a deal to play in Arizona State University's Mullett Arena, which was still under construction, starting a month into the 2022-23 season. This was a complex, it should be said, that was originally part of a proposal the Coyotes put forth in 2017 and featured a new NHL rink and an adjacent practice rink that ASU would play its games on; but ASU pulled out of the deal.
As we sit today, the Coyotes are now playing on that very same proposed practice rink to a capacity of 4,600. And because NCAA rules prohibit the sharing of college and pro facilities, to begin the season NHL teams had to get dressed in makeshift dressing rooms that involved a lot of cinderblocks and black curtaining and probably skate guards. (They now havededicated dressing roomsin the attached "annex." H/t to Mike Gould at Daily Faceoff.)
What is really on the line here? What are the possible outcomes of the vote?
Good questions. If the citizenry overwhelmingly approves the proposal, theoretically the arena plan goes ahead and the Coyotes are playing in their college rink with slapdash facilities for another three seasons. (Maybe four.)
If the proposal is voted down, then ... sadness? One would assume acrimony and litigation, however, are more realistic next moves.
(Worth noting here, of course, is that if the "yes" side wins, there is still going to be the ongoing litigation with Phoenix.)
But you've got to think a "no" victory would legitimately jeopardize the future of the Coyotes in Arizona. If they won't let you build an arena on a landfill near the airport ...
Seriously, would the Coyotes really move?
Listen, anything is possible with this team and with this league. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman seems to be bound and determined to keep the team in the No. 11 market in the United States, even considering all that has happened with this franchise since it moved from Winnipeg.
But you know the owners and players can't be happy propping up the perpetually rebuilding Coyotes playing in an arena with a capacity of 4,600 for at least three more seasons. Revenue sharing and escrow are real things and rely a lot on gate receipts, the latter of which the Coyotes can't be contributing a great deal, not only given their current digs but also seeing as they have made the playoffs justoncein the past 11 years and been past the first round justoncein their 26 seasons in the state.
I'm on the edge of my seat with anticipation! When will we know the results?
Voting could be announced as early as 8 p.m. MT / 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday. (Arizona does not observe daylight saving time.)
