The future of the Coyotes franchise...

[Brian in Mesa]

There's no way Bettman has any faith in Meruelo to get this done.. Bettman had to interrupt him multiple times to clarify an answer or cover for a stupid answer...

Bettman clearly wants NHL to work here, but he's tied to a complete clown.

Not that promising for the future of NHL hockey in AZ.

Too bad the NHL didn't help with the sale, and reserve the team's name, image, and likeness, etc., but keep it open to anyone who could successfully get an arena done here in Arizona rather than giving exclusivity to the same old owner.

Heck, then the league itself could have tried to get something done and then sell the expansion team and an arena to a prospective buyer.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I understand that part!


And great to see you, at least virtually, 82!

Great to be seen, even if it's only virtually!

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[RON_IN_OC]

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You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I would rather have no hockey in AZ than to be another poverty franchise in AZ

Hopefully we get a new owner and franchise in the next 5-10 years.

Meanwhile, Utah sucks

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I would rather have no hockey in AZ than to be another poverty franchise in AZ

Hopefully we get a new owner and franchise in the next 5-10 years.

Meanwhile, Utah sucks

How could anyone possible trust Meruelo at this point? Him still getting any say in the future of hockey in this state is a total disaster.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

How could anyone possible trust Meruelo at this point? Him still getting any say in the future of hockey in this state is a total disaster.

The league should have bought the team, held the name, image, and likeness, then sold to Utah. Then tell Alex he has a couple of years to show some progress, or the team would be awarded to anyone else who could get it done. He should never have simply been given a 5-year deadline and the rights to the team. Meh.

An expansion team sounds great unless the owner is the same.

 

[puckhead]

How could anyone possible trust Meruelo at this point? Him still getting any say in the future of hockey in this state is a total disaster.

I know the league doesn't, which is how we got here. Meruelo gets the opportunity to put up or shut up and being the shrewd commissioner he is, Bettman gave him a runway that requires him to prove everything he was currently lacking gets remedied. AM has taken it on the chin from every direction so if he's serious and can actually pull this off, he'll have earned a second chance in my book. I very much doubt he can do so, but that's his problem. It will take a herculean effort to make it all happen inside the time-frame he's been given.