I was going to look into the Coyotes wallet first but there is still a lot of research required since we have kids all over the damn place. So you get my take on rentals and buys the GM might want to kick the tires on today instead. (thanks to CoyoteQ for helping me survey the field of availability)

As we walk through the ranks of the teams that are either mathematically eliminated or real close to it, we need to keep in mind a couple of things… our PP sucks majorly and we have a real need to upgrade our 6/7 defensive positions. (Lepisto is doing the best he can but he’s still a baby  with positioning issues and Bubba has been a scratch waay too long… is he still not 100% or is he not what Tippett wants on his bench?). So it would seem that what we are looking for is 2 players minimum that can eat minutes, have at least a modicum of offensive prowess (to replace Upshall’s lost scoring), are defensively responsible (to fit into Tippett’s defense first system) and of course any jump start for our hideous PP and/or playoff experience is a bonus. Pretty tall order eh?

Offensive Rentals:

Atlanta’s Maxim Afinogenov could fit the bill pretty well (while not a defensive giant) he is a major point grabber this season with over 44 points so far this season (so what if he’s 30 years old, we’ve seen that he can still fly) and he is on his best behavior to get back into the good graces of the NHL family. He seems to be fairing very well out of the spotlights. (5) PP goals

Carolina’s Ray Whitney is another great rental possibility. With Kovalchuk finally out of the picture, Whitney’s value skyrockets, even by trade deadline overpayment standards. The guy can score, has underdog experience, has Cup experience and is defensively sound. At age 37 this old dog is still playing good minutes and has 41 points on a hinky Canes team. (6) PP goals

Toronto’s Alexei Ponikarovsky is also a name we hear frequently as a premiere pickup. He’s been pretty good lately, on pace for 54 points and is currently a +5. A 29 year old, 6′ 4″  rental doesn’t sound too bad if TOR will just not wanna take a pint of blood back for him in return. (4) PP goals

Columbus’ Raffi Torres has been placed on waivers. The 28 year old LW has been a solid NHLer throughout his career. He has 26 points so far this season. This is a gritty guy with decent defense and good energy. One of those guys you don’t really like to play against but sure don’t mind having on your squad. (this is the kind of value player the Don likes) (7) PP goals

Florida’s dynamic duo is supposedly also part of their fire sale. Either of them would be prize pickups for us. They know how to operate in untraditional markets and how to get scoring against all odds.

Nathan Horton (rumored to be targeted by BUF) will be returning from his broken leg within the next couple of weeks. At only 24 years old, Horton is a gem. He’s got a startling 46 points and while not the grittiest guy on the block, he often forgets himself and goes for points in the ugly areas. (6) PP goals

The 26 year old Stephen Weiss just may be the scoring touch that we need with 45 points under his belt (all done with very little help all season). Weiss is probably the Florida player getting his tires kicked the most by teams looking to buy. Some of FLA’s fans call him a soft player but anyone who can grab that many points on the lackluster Panthers must be doing something right. (8) PP goals

Defensive Rentals:

Is Florida’s Dennis Seidenbergh worth repatriating? 22 points and a minor -1. He wasn’t horrible before and seems to have learned consistency down in the southeast. He’s worth a looksee since he has grown a bunch since his stint here in Phoenix. (1) PP goal

Tampa Bay has a kid named Kurtis Foster that I wouldn’t mind getting my mitts on. He is a defensive staple with 28 points. He is 6′ 5″ and only 28 years old… prime age for a blueliner. (it would be a plus to sign him after but not a total bummer if we can’t since we do have help on the blueline in the form of Goncharov possibly arriving next season from Russia) (3) PP goals

Florida’s Bryan McCabe – Has a few years on him at 34 but remember we’re talking rental not marriage. On pace for about 34 points and a plus 1 right now, the former all-star and vet blueliner has some semi-recent playoff experience and knows his way around a rink. He’s still pretty sturdy and doesn’t miss a lot of games. (3) PP goals

would anyone mind cornering the market on Czechs?

How about Pavel Kubina? – This is one big Czech at 245lbs. On pace for 45 points and holding a +6 we can definitely put this one on the acquisitions list. 32 years old and still has a few miles left on him (despite a possibly bummy right knee), has some playoff experience and would probably be fairly cheap to grab (last trade he and Stapleton went for Excelby and Stuart) (2) PP goals

I doubt the Minnesota Wild will be looking to sell anything from their defensive stable (especially within the conference) but Mareck Zidlicky could be worth inquiring after (since the Wild have just upgraded their blueline with Cam Barker, maybe Zidlicky could be their odd man? ) The guy has very recent playoff experience, is on pace for 47 points and is a paltry – 1. (2) PP goals

Offensive Purchases:

I hate to keep raiding Atlanta’s cupboards but they got a lot of nice pieces down there, like the 27 year old Rich Peverly and his 42 points. He’s a great steal if a deal could be done. No matter where he’s played, this guy has been quietly killin it on secondary points. (7) PP goals

The other jewel in the offensive market would have to be Tomas Plakanec. The guy has over 55 points this season and shows no sign of slowing down. Can he be pried away from the original 6 team? Pricey to say the least and dicey at best. It would be a huge change from Montreal to here and he might not like the change much. (which could affect the locker room adversely) (3) PP goals

And then there is a GMDM blue light special in Jonathan Cheechoo. Cheechoo has been waivered… and cleared! He’s hanging around the the bus in the AHL already. That is a travesty. I know he’s 29 but the kid has got to have some juice left. 4 years ago he was the Richard trophy winner, 3 years ago he was an allstar. He’s had some knee and neck issues but what the hell else is going on that caused him to sink so fast? I hate his -13 and the fact that he was only on pace for 17 points but I betcha he’d get his shit together for another shot at the NHL unless he’s got some physical issue no one knows about. Imagine Tippett pulling a 2006-ish performance out of him?

Former Coyotes Steven Reinprecht is available (at firesale prices). Dumped before Tippett got here, the Rhino was 3rd in points on an inept Coyotes team. He isn’t the fastest guy on 2 skates but he’s crafty, works hard, has Cup experience and can face off fairly well. No long term committment here (a year isn’t a killer), could he be worth the investment of say… a low potential prospect or a low end pick? (2) PP goals

Defensive Purchase:

Atlanta’s young defenseman Tobias Enstrom flashes before my greedy eyes when talking about purchasing a defenseman. The 25 year old blueliner just keeps getting better every year. He has 42 points this season and plays with heart every shift. The little Swede (only 5′10″ 180lbs) is  a +7 on the quirky Thrashers team, think Z with more of a shooters mentality. (2) PP goals

Anaheim won’t be looking to do us any more favors and I’m sure it wouldn’t take too much time for Phoenix fan’s to forgive him for his nasty hit on our Captain but how about I throw James Wizniewski’s name into the ring? He’s RFA and the Hawks have been sniffing around the idea of bringing him back into their fold (which might make him a little expensive to take a run at) but maybe the Duck’s scouts have seen something on our shared AHL roster that might soften Anaheim up for a little inter-division dealing. (2) PP goals

Speaking of Anaheim, they just waived Nick Boynton. The 31 year old has been here before and might be a decent 6th/7th. Adds to team toughness (who can forget Nick pulling Miettenen off his bench wall for a beat down that he royally deserved?). He only has 7 points and is a +1 but he plays capable defense even if he won’t be setting the world on fire at this stage of his career. Decent deal at 1.5M and can always be packaged in the offseason. Could be had for very little cost. (1) PP goal

How about a shot at RFA Anton Stralman from Columbus? He’s not doing too bad with 29 points (that -11 seems to be the result of a bad team more than a lack of defense on his part). 23 years old and 200lbs, he’s young enough to teach and big enough to hang tough in the pack. (4) PP goals

How about enforcement/team toughness and goaltending upgrades? How bout we do that in a mini-part II because there may be more to say on that front than I can squeeze into 2 paragraphs.

Okay tired now… it is very hard to think like a GM with a limited budget. Gotta pass by the obvious additions that will cost an arm and a leg (or at least one of your first rounders). So what do you think? Anyone on this list look good to you? Or would you rather make a case for Ballard or Streit? Perhaps Stempniak, Brunette or Vermette are more your cup of tea? Is there anyone I missed that could help the Coyotes through the next few weeks or make them stronger for a  deeper push into the post season? Is there a team out there on the fence between buyer and seller that might be willing to do a little business with the Don? Let me know, I always enjoy hearing your takes on subjects like this.

As always… Go Coyotes!

Well whatdayaknow, another first for us here at the Check… to rent or not to rent? I have never had to ask that question. We have been sellers or non-participants so often that I find myself at a loss. Attempting to discern GMDM’s choices is a tough one. Do we need help to get over the post Olympic break hump and into the post season for the first time in well, forever? And then when we do get there and everyone has all these extra gears and role players becoming saviors, are we strong enough for this battle as is?

We are all nail bitingly aware of the issues that the Yotes have faced in the past, dealing with walls or with post-break killing slumps. This year is already different. the mix of young talent and vets is different, we have more wins 3/4 of the way than we had all season before, the system is different, and the coaching style is different… all in a very good way.

No longer do the Coyotes battle day in and day out from the first puck drop, to maintain a hold on 7th or 8th or pushing up from 9th or 10th position. These new Coyotes clawed their way up to 4th in the conference and have chewed and maimed to stay there, fending off the likes of a newly grown up LAK and a miracle on ice young COL team as well.

The Maloney-era Coyotes look lean, mean and ready to make some noise in the post season. Under the respected leadership of Dave Tippett and his soon to be legendary coaching staff, the Coyotes have already surpassed all expectations, hell, they’ve surpassed many of our wildest dreams. (yes soon to be legendary, what else can you call a staff that can achieve this much with such a beleaguered team?)

The Phoenix Coyotes were mired in red ink and nearly bled out, we were hampered by ownership that didn’t want us and had no clue how to run us (they hadn’t spent a half way intelligent dime since they signed Jovo). We were flailing about in BK court like a gaffed fish and suffering through a negative media blitz of EPIC  proportions, just to name a few of the problems Tippett and staff faced this season.

Sooo, look ahead to March 3rd 2010, the new era Coyotes, or should that be the Maloney/Tippett era Coyotes will have 19 games to survive in order to get to the post season for the first time in… seems like forever. Can they do it without the services of Scottie Upshall? The team just needs to win about 15 points to secure a berth. Can the rest of the scoring committee find another setting on the heat scale and hold the team on course or are they going to need some help?

With the highest scoring defense in the NHL, it would seem like the Yotes would be in great shape. Behind the front end talents like Shane Doan, Radim Vrbata, Mathew Lombardi and … uh oh… there is no and. Only 3 true consistent offensive scorers? Oy! Even Coach Tippett appears to be tired of waiting for Peter Mueller to return to form and get hot, so don’t blame me for not listing him here. Seems like having only 3 dependable scoring forwards answers the question about standing pat heading into the final sprint portion of the season.

Since we don’t have ‘real’ ownership in place to give the Don a budget, this whole thing might just be a moot point. But for shits n giggles lets pretend that the NHL wants to make as much money as possible off their investment and recoup some of that lost revenue they spent in BK court and funding the team through this season. That would mean that Bettman and Daly were telling the truth when they said GMDM would have funds to do what needs to be done for the team.

So we need to make a move, agreed? Do we rent? If so then the question becomes who to rent and how much to pay. If we want to purchase instead, for maximum value (and you know how GMDM loooves his value players)  then who to buy and again… how much to pay? Payment doesn’t mean actual dollars… we have enough cap space to buy Kovalchuck and Ovie… the real payment comes in the form of players in return, picks to give up and of course prospects that others covet… (our future roster members).

Guess we better take a look in our figurative wallets and see how much we got in the way of trade bait, picks and prospects. Keep in mind we’ll have to give up something decent to get back something good in return. At trade deadline, good can often cost a LOT more than you want to pay. So let’s have at it shall we? let’s take a look at who is available from the herd and what we have available to pay to make them part of the pack.

Part II tomorrow: What the Coyotes wallet has available in roster bait, picks and prospects.

As always… Go Coyotes!

Do we rent? There are a lot of teams with extra talent out there that either cap space, new coaches, attitudes or rebuilds are making available.

Who do we rent?

What do we pay?

What is too much?

Decisions, decisions…

The deadline is fast approaching and the rumor mill is churning out crap faster than I can read. I am still hearing that Mueller is the top chip teams want in a deal. In fact if poor PM’s name comes up one more time I may scream.

Teams on the bottom rung will be looking to rebuild quick. Muels could be a good anchor piece along with one of our picks and a prospect, there is no denying that. Especially given the way he’s been playing lately… he may not be lighting the board up but he’s chipping in so many other ways you almost HAVE to believe that when he finds his shot again, he’ll be a real steal for his next team.

Either way GMDM has only a few hours left until the freeze and then only a few days after to get something done. I can’t see us standing pat. We appear to be a scorer and a Dman away from a seriously deep post season run. We can absorb a hefty salary or two, we’re one of the few teams with major cap space.

Looking at the chemistry in the room and the total committment Tippett’s system requires every single game, there aren’t that many players that GMDM is going to consider.

Criteria for an offensive rental:

top end scoring for at least 2 years (including this year)

age & money are not objects (since we are only renting)

extra weight given to the right player, if we have the possibility of signing him for the future

Someone like Cullen? or Whitney? Afinogenov?

Criteria for an offensive permanent player:

1 to 2 years left on his contract… under 4M each year

defensively responsible

proven scoring in the past (even if not this year…yet)

some type of relationship with one of the coaching staff or DM himself (gotta know what kinda guy he is, to know if he’ll be a good fit in the room)

young enough to have some life in him (under 32?)

Someone like Weiss or Horton *if Horton wasn’t injured* Jussi Jokinen *if we were’nt allergic to that last name* How bout Peverly, Vermette or Antropov?

Criteria for defensive rental:

Big contributor to the offense (we need scoring in the worst way)

Post season experience (so many of our blueline have none, another steady confident guy will be a definite plus to have)

I wouldn’t mind renting Foster *and trying to sign him after* or even Torres for that matter

Criteria for defensive permanent player:

1 to 2 years left on his contract… under 3.5M each year

some type of relationship with one of the coaching staff or DM himself (gotta know what kinda guy he is, to know if he’ll be a good fit in the room and can he help our youngins grow?)

puck mover (since we are built on speed and dependent on the back end to contribute to scoring chances)

Enstrom and Streit look pretty good for this spot.

I know it doesn’t help figure out who The Don has in his sights but just my few piddly thoughts tonight as the rumors heat up *please stop with the Muels for Cogliano straight up rumors, they hurt my brain* and the deadline draws closer. Guess we’ll see soon enough. Whomever we grab, welcome to the desert. Whom ever we lose, we will miss and wish them only the best in their new home.

Get well soon Scottie!

As always… Go Coyotes!

We’re 40+ games into the season but looking as fresh and productive as we did at 30. GMDM has given a mini state of the Coyotes interview to Dave Vest. So I guess its time to take a good hard look… not completely at where we’ve been (although our rearview window shows a trail of teams looking for a few easy points and getting turned into road kill instead), nope, instead we’re gonna look at where we need to go and how we need to get there. We can start from the net out, which is how I like my teams built.

GOAL TENDING – A+

In Bryz we trust is not just a slogan on one of my posters. It is the base for our pack mentality. The boys trust Breezy to give them a chance to win every single night. He’s become a 29 team wrecking ball and like that iron ball, shows no signs of wear. He has to continue that stellar play for this team to get where we need to be. Smart practice schedule to preserve his mental acuity while giving him just enough of a workout to keep sharp is paying off handsomely. The Olympic appearance shouldn’t do much harm since you can expect Nabokov to be the real workhorse for the Russian squad.

Back up Jason Labarbera is doing well (he’d do better if he remembers he’s a huge guy and doesn’t need such big dramatic movements to get the job done). He’s currently 3 and 3 for starts which isn’t going to set the world on fire but won’t hurt us much if Bryz needs a little more rest down the stretch and for that horrendous road schedule in March. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I think there may be better solutions out there but I don’t want to give up anything to get one of them, so its, continue dancing with the one who brought you at this point.

Defense – A

Bryzzie isn’t doing all this by himself. The offseason acquisitions of Aucoin and Vandemeer cured one of our biggest issues, which was defensive depth and grit. Last season our season turned ugly on the lynchpin of a broken foot. Kurt Sauer’s injury sent us into a tailspin of epic fail. There were other injuries that didn’t help but the loss of Sweets shuffled our line up too much and made us too dependent on players who weren’t quite ready for prime time like Hale and Yandle. When Sweets comes back we need to avoid the usual acclimation period that most teams have when a long term IR guy gets back in the lineup.

This season tells the tale. We lost Kurt after one game but didn’t miss a step in the rise. Keith Yandle became a man almost overnight and when we lost Z and Jovo, the young rookie manned up and could be counted on like a veteran. Young Sami Lepisto and noobie David Schlemko proved to be admirable fill-ins for the lighter work and the blue line remained stable. That same blue line has to continue to progress. They have meshed well and can be shuffled without worrying too much about specific pairings (this season there is no real ’shut down’ pairing, everyone has to play defense AND take care of their ancillary scoring chances).

It is wonderful to see that the neutral zone has become a battlefield. With the forwards actually doing their job and harrying the opposition, the Dmen can hold the line better and limit who gets to go see Bryz for a slap down. This also has to be stepped up. The nights that we battle way harder than we need to, are the nights when the forwards forget about the pack mentality and their ‘other’ responsibilities in the pack.

Offense – B+

It only takes 1 more goal than your opponent. Under Dave Tippet’s system it is a rare night when the opposing team gets the chance to score much. Thank the hockey gods for Tip and staff’s defensive teachings, because the pack has not gotten up to speed in scoring yet.

The Czech Federation of Hanzal, Prucha and Vrbata have been leading the way too often. They are not supposed to be the top line, yet they have been pulling our chestnuts out of the fire more often than not. Marty has continued to contain every top center in the NHL. He’s also becoming the King of flukey goals (I don’t care how he gets them, I just love to see him get on the board). Vrbie has been shooting his ass off. He’s in the top of the NHL for attempts. (He’s starting to get hot again and we all know what that kid can do on a streak.) Prucha has been the imp of this group. His amazing puck handling and seemingly crazy romps through the opponent’s slot have been bringing the crowds to their feet as much as the exciting Upshall. (We need to see Pruuu!!! in the shoot out more. He used to save NYR’s butts on a regular basis)

Apparently Doan’s quick offensive starts of the past 2 seasons were an aberration and we’re only just now seeing the Captain getting back into a point grabbing groove. We have found our top line again. The Lombo combo of Doan, Lombardi and Upshall have clicked finally. They have to remain solid and finish their excellent chances more often as the season goes forward. There will be even more close games as other teams start eyeing us like the threats we are. These guys will undoubtedly be the make or break difference for the team going forward.

Our 3rd and 4th lines have been deliciously interchangeable. Winnick and Pyatt have been simply fantastic for grit and determination. (It seems like our Winnie plays better when given specific tasks and a set role… apparently TGO couldn’t fathom that little gem but thankfully Tip is playing that card for all its worth.) Anyone who thought Fiddler was just a grunt has had their eyes opened through his face offs and the occasional goalie robbery. Robert Lang may not be as good as he once was but often enough, he is as good once, as he ever was. We may have to give the elderstatesman a break in TOI when we play tough back to back 65 -70 minute games (sometimes Lang seems to have issues with endurance… I could be wrong but resting the guy now and then on ugly scheduling can’t hurt). Mueller is slowly finding his confidence. PM is going to have to start giving that uncanny release of his a few more outings per game. (He’s going to have to ‘want’ the puck and take those shots with confidence rather than continue to dish the passes.)

As every team digs down to find that extra gear, to find ways to win at all costs, we may be ahead of the curve, since our entire game plan is predicated and planned and practiced for exactly that. We will probably not become some offensive juggernaut but we will need to find a way to get all 4 lines to finish their chances more often and preferably in some of the same games as each other.

We all take peeks at the players who are looking available before March 3rd and I am sure GMDM is looking the hardest. I doubt he falls for the rental player trap (the man cares too much about long term value for that). We all admit that a successful scoring forward would be the ideal grab. We also all remember how well Jokinen worked out for us. I do see Don kicking the tires on a few players to add to our firepower. I don’t see him bringing in a rental and possibly jeopardizing our pack’s pecking order and chemistry. GMDM will be looking for a player he already knows, a player who has at least a year left on his contract and a player whose personality and attitude will mesh with the boys and whose skillset will compliment Tippett’s system. We’ve got quite a few bargaining chips to play with for a good acquisition. We still won’t sell the farm (our youthful potential) but there are some 1st and 2nd round extra picks laying about that would be good starting points for discussions and bargaining. (We’ll talk more about that soon.)

Special teams – B

The PK is carrying the PP at this point and has since last season, otherwise this woulda been a C at best. This has to stop. Maintaining discipline will remain a crucial and pivotal part of our success. We can’t wear our best defensive players out while continually staving off the opposition’s PP crews. Our Pkers are in the top 10 in the league which is a beautiful thing. We need to stop giving them so much work. (How many ways must I say this?) Z as usual has been phenomenal in this respect but the other components have done well too. We need to continue doing the little things to keep our kill ratios high going forward… so let it be written, so let it be done.

The PP HAS to arrive. Bottom 10 of the league is pathetic with the skill we have on the ice. This is not optional. We will need the calvary when facing playoff experienced teams. The games will get tighter and tighter and without a fairly solid power play, Bryz will be fighting for his life every game and we can’t do that to the big guy. Relying on 5 on 5 scoring is fine for the first part of the regular season. The second half of the season is a brutal war that can leave you up or down a man continuously. We have to be ready to capitalize on those oppotunties when they come. Aucoin and Jovo have to step up here. Yandle has been relatively solid in getting  the most out of his PP opportunities, its time for the big guns to follow suit. Pucks to the net, pucks with eyes, pucks that can be put away on 2nd and 3rd tries are severely needed going forward.

Coaching – A

So far the coaching staff has been stellar. Not to say they can’t improve with a little judicious tweaking of TOI for some players and a continued cattle prod for others. But they are all on the same page with 1 lead dawg and their skills complimenting each other very well. They think outside the box a lot and seem to be bringing solutions to whatever ails us on a daily basis.

We succeed as a pack, through grit and determination. The coaching staff need to continue to find ways to motivate the boys. We’re battling on our own tempo most nights but games like the New Year’s tilt against the Sharks can really hurt us. We came out all hungry and energized but let them lull us to match their low energy and when push came to shove, we just couldn’t get our rhthym back. (like frogs in a pot of warm water, when the Sharks turned the heat back up we didn’t realize it until too late and we got cooked) We need to be able to control the tempo and the tenor of the games better going forward.

They can’t let up on the guys about the distractions even as those distractions change from the BK and ownership issues to too much praise and media attention as we pull closer to a playoff chance. They have been phenomenal! From Ulf during the preseason ramp up to Tip and crew now. This has to continue, we appeared to be easily distracted over the last couple of years and we certainly can’t afford that again this year.

Believe it or not the Olympic break scheduling may help us. We’ll play 3/4 of the 82 games before taking a break. This means that a strong January performance will actually be the hump we need to get over. After the break it will be all about maintnence of our spot. So I guess we’ll just have to kick ass all of January then find a road game system to maintain through March. (Our road record is just this side of respectable… barely) A strong January will help negate any damage a barely .500 road record can do through March.

Operations - A

Don Maloney aka GMDM aka We Salute You, Mr. Super Bargain Hunting General Manager Guy (sorry that commercial just slipped into my head) has worked miracles. We haven’t given up a damn thing this year but we got some of the best pieces available. The only reason GMDM didn’t get a plus is that Craig Andersen was still available when we grabbed AZBarbie. (Can you imagine a goalie tandem of Andersen and Bryzgalov!) But no matter… the Don still done real good.

Shoring up our face off figures, repairing our blueline and grabbing us a real-honest-to-god-coach with chops in Dave Tippett, are all in and of themselves monumental A’s for the guy and we are all thankful for those. Now going forward, if Don can just grab us a scoring forward with playoff experience and grit, he’ll get that plus sign and my undying gratitude. We already know he is patient and value minded so we needn’t worry that he’ll give up anything we’re gonna need to keep this team in future hunts for the cup. (well, not without a plan in place to upgrade that give away)

Since the BK was finished, we’ve seen the Coyotes organization step up the advertising. There are billboards all over town, there are commercials on primetime TV (even CSI, NCIS and the Biggest Loser had Yotes ads in them!) We’ve seen partnerships like Pepsi/Circle K (buy Pepsi and get Yotes tickets) We’ve seen guerilla marketing (Ambassadors club discounts so the STH’s can pimp the team). These are fantastic ways to get Arizona aware of the team and get butts for our seats. This needs to continue going forward, its working. We will be pimping the Coyotes Carnival alongside the organization because there is nothing like meeting our boys to give potential STHs a sense of the wonderful people they are and help the potentials become invested in the guys.

The other thing that needs to happen sooner rather than later is the ownership question getting solved. The NHL and the CoG needs to get this done! Remove that potential distraction before it starts nagging at the team and the fanbase that is slowly starting to come back to the fold.  I know the NHL keeps trying to keep it out of sight by saying they have til the end of the season to comlete a deal but seriously? This needs to be worked out way before that so that the fence sitters can committ and the haterz can go find other teams to harrass.

So where does that leave us? We’re sitting pretty in the standings. We’re finding ways to win. We have an experienced coaching staff that shows no signs of  weakness. We need a scorer to get us over the hump  but don’t need to spend unwisely to get him nor take just any old cancer from someone else’s locker room. We’ve got a system that works and our fanbase is trickling back every game. We’ve got new ownership on the horizon. I’d say that we look pretty damn good at 40+ and have plenty of spring in our step for the next leg of the journey.

So just keep the faith, come out and enjoy the second half of the season. It will be worth every penny, worth every emotional coin spent too. The Phoenix is rising, make sure you are part of it. The Year of the Yoties is happening now Arizona! GAME ON!

As always… GO COYOTES

This is probably a lil disjointed and maybe I’m an idiot but its how I feel…

Okay hockey bretheran… I have a question. One that has been bothering me for some time. Why can’t the league support 2 more teams? Why can’t makeit32 work? Why is expansion ‘really’ such a bad thing? Is it really the horrible an idea that Kansas City or Wisconsin AND Hamilton or Winnipeg get a team. (I really don’t have a clue who all is clamoring for a team right now)

I can see the NHLPA getting behind the idea. They get more members to contribute to the pool and have a stronger voice. More players get a chance at the gold ring.

I can see the players getting behind the idea. More opportunities to play longer (they are already like migrant workers going from team to team, 2 more to choose from can’t be a bad thing). Newbies could see it as better opportunity to break into the league with a bigger draft (almost like adding round 8 back in...) and b4 you say no one good comes out of the lower rounds, puhleze! the Wings seem to have no problems finding talent like Zetterberg and Datsyuk in late rounds.

I can see the fans getting behind this. More hockey! is thereanything better than more hockey? Ummm especially for the fans of the chosen cities who have been raucously screaming their lil lungs out to get one for years.

The team owners, well hell, them ole boys would get expansion money out the wahzoo. Could shift the conference member teams around a bit resulting in shorter flights, less money being spent crisscrossing the country, more revenue to share, better TV contracts if the markets are chosen correctly.

Seems to me that everyone wins with makeit32. So why isn’t it happening? Why haven’t Mr. Balsillie or Mr. Bruckheimer or whomever, been throwing their dollars at getting the NHL to expand, rather than targeting teams already in place? We’ve expanded and contracted a lot since 1967, I don’t understand why the topic has suddenly become such an anathema.

Cincinnati, Hamilton, Oklahoma City, Portland, Winnipeg all seem like pretty viable expansion cities for various reason. Hell Kansas City’s TV market alone would make me sit up and drool if I’m the NHL. Portland doesn’t provide a whole lot of competition from ‘other’ sports and could easily become a hockey hotbed just from lack of Pro sports choices. With a bit of judicial governmental $$ support, either Hamilton or Winnipeg could renovate their large arenas to accommodate a couple more thousand fans and some state-of-the-art luxury boxes in a very short time frame and with the clamoring market could have that monetary support paid back very quickly. Cincinnati I’m not too sure about even if it has been bandied about in the past. Vegas seems too transient to support a pro franchise on the season ticket holder front (although I am pretty sure they could get plenty of corporate response). These are just a few cities w/ possibilities off the top of my head.

Its long been said that hockey costs too much to make part of the average Joe’s discretionary spending and that isn’t true in most markets. Its mainly the longest serving and the big ticket winners that charge out the wahzoo for tickets (but hey! they only charge what the market apparently will bear). Maybe it is time for Toronto et al,  to share the wealth? Bring down the ticket prices there just a little bit with some healthy competition from a team close enough to give fans a choice (TOR has got a waiting list that would immediately give their competitor a built in shot at a fanbase). That would certainly give the fans a boost (lower prices for the team they already love and a chance for others to get season tickets without waiting for Uncle Cletus to drop dead) It could start one of the nastiest rivalries the NHL has ever seen and you KNOW hockey fans can seriously get behind a rivalry. Maybe its time to take a look at having a set price range? We’d damn sure see which cities can support a hockey team then. Have a set range that ticket prices can fall within, if your team can’t maintain an average attendance at the prescibed prices…well I guess then we get to find a home for you that will be able to. I don’t know… just seems like all the teams should be contributing equally but can’t due to weird ass management practices or some other form of monetary mismanagement madness. (That way it truly becomes about butts in the seats rather than teams filling an arena yet still not pulling in the monetary numbers because they charge 40% less that the rest of the league, we need equal footing for true measurements)

With the economy in such disarray maybe this seems like a shallow and thoughtless entry. Expanding the NHL when people are losing their jobs, the economy is freefalling like a stone from a bridge and food banks can’t keep up with families on the edge. But even the economy would get a boost. Construction or renovation of 2 arenas would create jobs, said arenas need to be staffed which would create new jobs and of course their would be another 60+  hockey players getting jobs (including any minor league additions in 2 new feeder rosters).

What am I missing here? I know there has to be some major issue with this idea. The NHL can’t be stifling its own growth for no good reason right? So help a sista out. Explain it to me like I’m a 5 year old because I don’t get it. Makeit32 makes more sense to me than keepinit6 or relocating it7 in too many ways to ignore.

I can’t wait for this to be over so I can enjoy hockey again. C’mon Canes! (damn you flightless birds! That Geno is a monster! why’d he have to wake up now?) You can do it Cammie Cane. Lets go Ded Things! Black Hawks Suck! Guess you know where I stand in this series LOL Even though I kinda realize a Canes – Wings final just won’t have the punch that a Wings – Pens matchup would have, it would still be beautiful to have a ’southern’ team in the finals… for troll taunting reasons if nothing else.

Mr. Breslow… sir, I salute you!

As always… Go Coyotes!

Oh my Capitals, 1B team of my heart, I have neglected you woefully. I apologise for leaving you to the mercy of Lil Flower and the Kid, not mention that other guy Geno and his OT antics.

I have been watching…really I have. But due to the surprising turn of events with the 1A of my heart I have been unable to cheer you on in these humble pages. But somehow you have won through on your own. I am so proud of you guys.

Tonight’s game was a blood curdling monster. It is sooo not good for my blood pressure! But damn was it exciting. Way to go Steckel! But guy? don’t toy with your victims anymore. Take the lead and take down the black n gold with extreme prejudice.

Game 7 is going to be a hellstorm and I will be with you all the way through, I promise. I am going to ask the hockey goddess to help you thru to a thorough beat down of the Kid & Co. May Cindy and Gena’s shots be high and wide, may lil Flower’s glove  tip pucks into his own net and may Ovie, Greenie or Stecks (heck, anyone rockin the red will work) hit the Cap’s GWG in a spectacularly amazing highlight reel fashion. Ummm Varley? Doood! Let’s address your glove side issues  soon mmkay?

Sorry Pens… It is time to Rock the Red all the way to the finals. Go Caps Go!

Hooboy! Nucks killed themselves. Only US teams left in the playoffs. These post season games have held some of the most surprising games and winners ever. Upstart Blackhawks take down one of the NHL’s best. Sorry Lou. I was pullin for ya big guy.

On the Coyotes front… big news comin… maybe some early word? Remember there’s gonna be a rally on Saturday May 16th at 10 am

I’ve finally woken up out of my postseason funk. (who the hell wouldn’t after these 2nd round antics) Ducks managed to scoot past the Ded after 3 OTs (4 – 3 ANA). The Cardiac Canes are certainly living up to their moniker after spankin Boston’s bear butts (3 – 0 CAR) you go Cammie!. The Nucks found out that the Bulin wall has apparently patched up most of his holes (4 – 3 CHI). All the series are tied at 1 – 1 right now…….except the Caps VS Pens.  So in honor of my personal favorites I want to share a new glossary of hockey terms and maybe give them a lil luck to grab a bit of a lead in their series.

Ovination! – actions in which the red number 8 decimates your squad with a super slick move that makes you feel shame and embarassment… and possibly makes the Kid cry…some more.

Greenitized! – when a hawk sportin, red wearin defenseman glides into your zone innocently, mesmerizes your forwards and blasts your goalie with a slow rising wrister w/ eyes.

Varleytini- what a rookie goaltender from Russia serves you after he shuts yer asses out. It contains no alcohol yet leaves you with a hangover and a sense disbelief that you did all that embarrassing stuff the night b4.

Steckelportation – when an-impossible-to-miss, 6′ 5″ forward slips into your zone and drops his stealth shields and makes your team look like it has a bad set of Lithium crystals and Scottie is nowhere to be found.

Laichning – a type of electrical strike that only occurs when the DC team is on yer ice. Get the hell out of its way, it packs a hell of a punch and can strike more than once in the same spot.

Seminaltalality - when memories of a bongo playing Opie Taylor looking kid overwhelms your sense of danger and that ‘other’ Alex finds your goalie’s 7 hole for the GWG.

Potimon – not to be confused with any anime character. This lil monster stands between you and the best shot angles and often gives opportunities for Ovination or Steckeling to happen to you with his super blocking powers.

Fedorovitis – a disease that doesn’t strike often but when it does, it usually makes the goalie being struck very ill. Can happen in any zone and during playoff runs can kill.

Brashearing – a type of close shaving given to anyone NOT rockin the red by a really pissed off mack truck… if you manage to survive to game 6, be very careful that it doesn’t happen to you.

We hope this helps and we continue to Rock the Red… GO CAPS GO!

and as always… Go Coyotes! Still alive and ready to rock the desert in 09!

Happy Playoff Hockey!!.. SOMEONE had to step up and do it since HTH felt the need to make me give a shit. We all know how much I hate to do it since my precious boys are off participating in the Worlds or chillaxillatin for the summer. I guess it’ll be me doin the quicky look at round II and a couple of player(s) to watch for and hopefully a reason to tune in, watch and maybe discuss on the forum. So let’s start off with the Eastern Circus…

(1) Boston Bruins v. (6) Carolina Hurricanes  Bruins lead the series 1 – 0

The Canes knocked off the nearly invinsible Marty Brodeur and the red hot Zach Parise led Devils by the skin of their teeth. Taking on the insatiable Boston Bruins will hold a very scary challenge. Timmy Thomas (dontcha just wanna say little Timmy Thomas for some reason?) and the B’s seemingly can do no wrong (sweeping the Canadiens and ruining their 100th anniversary). In their first meeting, Boston has established a psychological advantage over Carolina with a big win. (4 – 1) but we all know why Carolina fans call their team the Cardiac Canes. Don’t count out Cam Ward and his determined band of miscreants, they always seem to find a way out of every hole they dig themselves into. Having the Canes in a game almost always means a crazy roller coaster. Game 2 will be in Boston on Sunday 5/3 at 7:30pm on Versus.

Player(s) to watch: David Krejci (B’s) – he’s been quietly doin some serious scoring and  is 3Gs, 3As in 5 games so far in the post season to go with his 73 regular season points. Combine those numbers with a sweet post season +/- plus 8 and you’ve got a guy to watch for sure. (not to slight the red hot Ryder or Savard in any way) On the Cane’s side as always it comes down to whether or not Cam Ward can work his magic. The Bs have so much fire power, Cam is going to be one busy boy. Stahl had better step it up a notch or 3.

Definitely worth watching, although I can’t stand the B’s (still have a little Wheeler induced nausea), they are very very good and very very disciplined and will make life miserable for the erratic Canes all through the series.

(2) Washington Capitals v. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins

I’ll be rockin the Red when these 2 division rivals meet for round II or should I just go ahead and call it WWV? Or how about the Cold War – Part Deux? Anyway you slice it, its gonna be a media circus (hell, it already is) Ovie VS Sydney is causing Betty to salivate all day and into the wee hours of the night. The regular season has ramped this series into the stratosphere and when these two play in Washington on Saturday, the pundits will be squirming in their analyst chairs no matter who beats who. (hell they already are. NHL on the Fly has been beside itself and had a lil series of questions for the Kid and Ovie…including some really dumb ones) Poor Syd and poor Ovie, lots of people tryin to make this into a Thrilla in Manila. But there is more to both teams than Ovie and the Kid.

Player(s) to watch: Alexander Ovechkin (Caps) – is he really hurt or is he playin possum? Or is the injury all in the mind of a certain reporter from the Post? Whether he’s hurt or not, he’s still not going to be the deciding factor in the series, again…this time it will probably come down to another Russian, that lanky youngster in the net. Simyon Varlamov has the Capital buzzin. Cool as a cucumber, seemingly unflappable and holding a mind boggling .952 sv % and a stunning 1.17 GAA, if the Iron Curtain continues to hold, the Pens could be in deep borscht. For the Pens all eyes will be on the Kid and Geno but it may just come down to Fleury keepin up with Varlamov.

As HTH would say, both teams can score. Between two time Rocket Richard trophy winner Ovechkin and the top goal scoring defenseman in Mike Green (now that Greenie appears to be back on track) add another Hart candidate in the hulking Evgeny Malkin and the human highlight reel stylings of Crosby and every game should be a barn burner. (but can they play some serious defense too… the answer to that question may just be the tie breaker)

Now on to the West Coast Royal Rumble

(2) Detroit Red Wings v. (8) Anaheim Ducks  Detroit leads the series  1-0

True to form the Ducks came out viciously dirty. ( No I don’t like them or their style but hey, its hockey and not supposed to be prim nor prissy) They took their edge and  “flexible” rule book to the next level as expected. Brownie knocked Hudler into next week with a shot to the head and will probably get a suspension for it. (lots of disagreement on whether it was dirty or if Hudie shoulda had his head up) whatever you think it was, it sure got the Ded into the highest levels of pisstivity that I’ve ever seen. Who woulda thunk that Ericksson could fight?

As HT said, the former Stanley Cup champions will certainly do “whatever it takes to get their cup back”, literally! No matter who they have to run over or run through. But the Wings are pretty damned determined to keep it for themselves.  (Go Liddy!) Its gonna get nastier so stay tuned.

Player(s) to watch: Jonas Hiller (Ducks) Can the kid hang on in the face of one of the best offensive juggernauts in the league? Can he live with Holmstrom’s butt in his face all the damn time? Chris Osgood (Wings) -Ozzy was on and poppin. Despite the Ducks attempts to put him through his own posts, the cagey vet hung in there and seems prepared to give as good as he gets. Combine that with the Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Franzen onslaught VS the Getzlaf/Perry/Ryan combo and it should make for one hell storm of a  series. Game 2 in Detroit on Sunday at 2pm.

(3) Vancouver Canucks v. (4) Chicago Blackhawks Vancouver leads the series  1-0

Defensive shutdown artistes VS high flyin creative offensively minded youngsters. The Nucks have been finding ways to score but they are bettter at getting a lead and then shutting down the opposition. The Hawks have had their defensive struggles, but usually can score their way out of trouble. Facing one of the best goalies in recent memory is going to prove troublesome for them.

Players to watch: Roberto Luongo (VAN) Nicolai Khabibulin(CHI) – just like the other goaltending battles, this one may come down to which goalie has the best set of nights and the edge goes to Louie. But other players are definitely making their presence known. Chicago’s Captain better get into battle mode because Kaner and Versteeg probably can’t keep up their current pace alone.

I agree with HT that Louie is just too good in the playoffs…  and could be the biggest factor in halting the Hawks march to a finals appearance. Chicago is young but rapidly proving themselves worthy after knocking off Calgary.  Can the Bulin Wall keep playing above himself and get his team back on track? Game 2 in Vancouver on Saturday.

Another toss up series that will really depend on the goaltending (Chicago), or lack thereof, that each team receives. While HTH seems to have forgiven and forgotten the bitter season against the Hawks, I certainly haven’t, and will be rooting for the Nucks.
——————————————————————————–
Be sure to tune into the playoffs and watch some exciting hockey!! Don’t forget to stop by and vote in the polls and chit chat on the forum.… Enjoy!

Shout out… for those interested in a particular game and it’s not being shown on TV, you can watch the game via online feed.. just head on over to www.nhlsnipers.com

Ok, there are no refreshments and no big name celebrity to greet you at the door but we’d love to have you join us in the newly installed Corner Scrum Forum. We need your help workin out all the kinks so that we have a place to talk, discuss, yell or whatever we feel like doin.

HT Hound has gotten the forum up and running. Its fairly barebones and simple to use but we have lots of improvements planned to install once we know for sure this forum app can handle our meanderings.

So go to top of the page and hit the Scrum Forum button to sign in and post to your little hearts content. HTH, BT and I will be popping in and out all the time. Brother Q has volunteered to be our moderator (which means, ‘we don’t need no stinking rulez” for the most part)… seriously, keep it civil and have some respect for your fellow fans and there won’t be a need for some long list of rules and censorship.

And for tonights West Coast rivals game… Dammittt Sharks pull yer heads out! And since I never could resist a chance to share teh funnee… here’s an NHLol from our friend Carcillo13…

Dear Washington Capitals,

We here at the NFOT – (NHL fans of other teams who didn’t make it to the playoffs and are pinning our hopes on your sorry asses), hereby release you from all prosecutionable actions for game 5. You can proceed with all larceny, including grand theft (stealing of any available pucks),  battery (hitting, blindsiding, plain-old-knocking-into-next-week, any and everyone holding said available pucks, not rocking the red), B n E (forcibly entering the Ranger zone with intent to commit mayhem) and of course assault with intent (landing as many shots on Lundy as possible from any and all angles with the sole intention of scoring as many embarassing goals as humanly possible). If we missed any potential crimina activity that you might like to attempt, we are very good at cut n paste and can edit this immunity after the fact, so feel free to improvise as necessary.

Regardless of what you or Coach Boudreau may think about the Rangers “awesome” defensive positioning, we would like to issue you this “immunity from prosecution” letter. We understand that you have been planning w/ malice aforethought, an assault of some type (see recent transcript of planning session) and we applaud both the plan AND the execution of the dry run during game 3. The plan worked very well  and should be implemented full force, ASAP. We realize in Game 3 you pulled off a lil’ B & E, breaking and entering into the net area. Obviously you did this without the Rangers permission and must’ve been distinctly nervous about King Lundqvist calling in the police to take you away should you try to get to the front of the net and poke a rebound in ever again. This letter is to ensure you that you will not get prosecuted if you refuse the Rangers detour to the outside and instead decide to revisit this “dangerous” area known as the crease.

We here at NFOT will do everything we can to prevent retaliation from the brigades of NYR fanatics who will undoubtedly try to invade the Verizon Center and prevent you from stealing another win from their King. We will even return Greenie from the Witness Protection Program (he mistakenly entered it too early and disappeared during this series) but will hopefully be returned to you pronto. *it should be noted for future needs that our program is very effective – exhibit A… it looks like someone named Mike Green is on the ice, but it is appearant to all, that it is not the same person who scored 31 goals this season* We regret that Greenie or Mr. Smith as he is known in the program, was spirited away prematurely. (we believe some NYR fan activated his disappearance in order to create chaos and give those sorry bastages a chance at winning).

Sooo, Mr. Ovechkin, please take this letter into the lockeroom with you and translate it for Mr. Semin and Czarlamov so that they will understand that they are safe from any repercussions  and can get busy whuppin some Ranger azz… err I mean so that you can all proceed with the Plan as outlined by Mr. Laich and yourself and we can all see as you promised. Mr. Smith should be replaced by Mr. Green by the time this immunity letter reaches you and should also be present during this translation session. You may not see us but rest assured we are out there, watching, waiting and doing our part. Carry on.

Sincerely,

Your No Longer Silent Supporters at NFOT

Psssst! Pssst! (we’re getting a forum!) grand opening tommorow… whoo hooo!