image: TSN

The promotion, which has been dubbed “join the pack,” is meant to create a more loyal fanbase and it could work.  When you’re facing bankruptcy and being sold/moved to another city, you’ve got to try everything.

With all of the drama over the summer, it’s no surprise that fans didn’t go out and buy tickets for this season since I’m sure they wondered if the team would even be around.  The team’s second home game attracted (wait for it) a whopping 6,899 fans.  Can you believe that?  Can you imagine how much it must suck for team morale?

Let’s hope things start improving for the Coyotes or it won’t take long for the vultures to swoop in.

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image: TSN

In another move to add depth to the lineup, the Flames have claimed Nigel Dawes off waivers who had filed for salary arbitration with the Phoenix Coyotes.  The restricted free agent will have his case heard next Wednesday unless Calgary signs him by then.  This is another unsurprising acquisition since he did play under the Flames’ new coach, Brent Sutter, at the World Juniors.  He split last season between the New York Rangers and the Coyotes and posted 10 goals and 11 assists in 64 combined games.

I’m in Calgary and I love that they are adding some good defencemen (who have relatively cheap salaries) because we really have been lacking in that area.  When someone gets injured (Robyn Regehr) or just has a crappy ass season (Dion Phaneuf) then the Flames have no defence so it’s great that they are beefing up the lineup.

My only question is about salary.  I feel like they have acquired a lot of folks.  I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always do the math correctly when it comes to the cap but I’m starting to worry that a big trade is coming.  I guess only time will tell…

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There’s just one catch – Balsillie would want to move the team to southern Ontario.  I don’t like the idea but Prime Minister Stephen Harper decided to weigh in on the matter: "I’d love another NHL team in Canada . . . particularly southern Ontario can support another team.  I have even (mentioned) to a couple of NHL owners I think southern Ontario is ripe to support more than one NHL team."

Uhhhh… I am one of the Canadians who actually likes Harper and I just want to say that I find it very bizarre to have our nation’s leader weighing in on this potential move.  I know he’s a hockey fan (and we’re a hockey loving country) but I’m sure he’s got better things to talk about.  What am I missing here?

Anyway, I’m sure earning the support of the prime minister bolstered Balsillie’s spirits but I’m equally sure that it has the NHL (particularly commissioner Gary Bettman) seeing red. 

Bettman doesn’t want the team to move and believes that it can still work in Phoenix.  His plan is to do his best to make sure the team stays right where it is.  My only question about that pertains to the fact that the Coyotes got into financial ruins somehow, right?  If it was a good hockey market then would the team be on the brink of bankruptcy? 

"We generally try to avoid relocating franchises unless you absolutely have to," he said. "We think when a franchise is in trouble, you try and fix the problems. That’s what we did in Pittsburgh and Ottawa and Buffalo prior to our work stoppage. That’s what we did when the perception was that five out of the six Canadian franchises around the turn of the century were in trouble. We fixed the problems. We don’t run out on cities."

Here’s my thing – is Ontario the only Canadian province that can get a new hockey team?  Every time I hear chatter about a move, it’s always about Ontario.  Guess what?  That place already has the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs so why not share the love a little bit?  The population in places like Saskatchewan has grown considerably and continues to grow and I think that it is a market that is ripe for the picking. 

What do you think?  Where should the Coyotes be?  Should they stay in Phoenix or move?

image: TSN

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Olli Jokinen

He was hurt when he was checked into the boards by defenseman Marc Methot (Columbus Blue Jackets) during the first period of the Coyote’s 3-2 win on Wednesday. 

Coach, Wayne Gretzky, tried to keep things in perspective and put a positive spin on the situation: “We’re definitely going to miss what he brings to the team, but this gives him a few weeks to rest and regroup, and when he comes back he’ll be fresher.” 

Heal quick, Olli – the Coyotes need you!

image: TSN

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