Counterpoint: Kansas City Definitely Getting an NHL Expansion Team! (Spoiler: Nope)

Aw man, another team in New York?!

Yesterday, Gary Bettman announced the terms for possible NHL expansion.  A topic he denied
many
many
many
many
many
many
many
many
times in the past nine months.

Bettman: accept formal applications, go thru vetting process, determine whether there is interest in committing to expansion.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2015

Bettman said it doesn't mean they will expand but will listen hard to expressions of interest.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2015

Early July applications, one month more or less window to see what comes in. Exec committee will review the applicants.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2015

If there's expansion, Bettman said the fee will start with a 5. Therefore, $500M+ for a franchise if expansion proceeds.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2015

Daly said earliest possible date an expansion team could play is 2017-18 season.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 24, 2015

The application process runs July 6th through August 10th, so if you have $500 million just laying around, you could be an NHL team owner!  Put the team in whatever city you want, it doesn't really matter!  Butte, Montana?  Sure!

Of course, this gets the wheels turning for cities like Las Vegas, Seattle, and Quebec City to actually stop waiting around for the Coyotes to inevitably relocate, and have a nice team of their own minus the baggage.  This, to a lesser extent, works as a PR move for the league, detracting people from the Coyotes circus and other franchises with struggling finances and attendance like the Panthers and Hurricanes.  Do not get it confused, though.  The health of all member organizations is certainly not a pre-requisite for expansion.  MLB's Minnesota Twins and Florida Marlins knew that all too well shortly after new franchises in Tampa and Phoenix popped up.  The stability of the league is not Gary Bettman's wish, or strength, as is well documented, so that's not what is at issue.  Expansion is a money grab, and a way for Bettman and the NHL to offset or recoup the losses of the struggling franchises.  It offers nothing in return from the NHL, except you get to put one of its teams in your city.  And you might get to host the draft and an All-Star game eventually.  WHEEEEE!

No NHL for Seattle, No NHL for Kansas City but All the Lies You Can Handle!

A few weeks ago, reports said the NHL was seriously looking into Seattle as a viable option for a new NHL franchise.

How serious were they?!

So serious, it seems, that commissioner/overlord Gary Bettman and Bill Daly brought a possible future owner along with them.

So serious, the NHL wanted Seattle to go ahead with the construction of the arena under the auspices of an NHL franchise being the main tenant.

So serious, umm, the Florida Panther fired a bunch of employees (oh, wait, that's a different story.  More on this later).

The Curious Case (and Unending Questions) of Kansas City Hockey

"This man just got through talking about what the f--- he ain't
G-D did...LONG LIVE THE SCOUTS!!!"

More on this to come, obviously – the city of Glendale wants to lease their own city hall!!!, and Bettman has (supposedly) set a date – but you can be sure that the Coyotes won't end up in Kansas City.  Nope.  Not no way, not no how.  Or they could.  Who knows.  Who knows because Mayor Sly James diverts the truth on the whole issue, for some reason.  As definite as he is in his responses, he also leaves a lot of unanswered questions.  He's like a Pandora's box of dubiousness, always seemingly covering for someone or attempting to save face.  All just to convince someone – anyone – the Coyotes should not come to Kansas City.

Let me point out that James isn't necessarily wrong for doing this, nor refusing to bring the Coyotes to KC a bad idea.  It's an idea.  If the city doesn't want to do it – and if there is no ownership in place – then it does not happen.  Ipso facto.

As you may know, James claims Kansas City and the Sprint Center are not in the running to acquire the Coyotes should the NHL finally put the city of Glendale out of its misery and end their long financial nightmare.  Sly James just spoke to the Kansas City Star on the topic, because these interviews have become an annual tradition so why not.

Mayor says luring NHL’s Coyotes would have been bad business deal for Kansas City

(editor's note: this story originally appeared in the Kansas City Star on June 20th.  It is posted here in its entirety for posterity's sake, because The Star's online articles tend to disappear quickly.  This article is not written by anyone associated with Lost City of Bettman.)

June 20

BY RANDY COVITZ

The Kansas City Star

Whether the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes remain in Arizona or move to Seattle, Mayor Sly James does not regret that Kansas City didn’t do more to attract the club to the Sprint Center.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/06/20/4304493/mayor-says-luring-nhls-coyotes.html#storylink=cpy

After investigating the possibility of pursuing the Coyotes — who have been losing money while under NHL ownership since 2009 — James was convinced the franchise would have been a bad business deal for Kansas City.

“Several months back, even before that, we put out some feelers and talked to some people we trusted who knew what the situation was … the availability, the costs …” James told The Star on Thursday, “and the basic information was (the Coyotes) need a lot of money from the city in one form or the other. They said, it’s not a great deal for you, like you might hope.

“The question was, ‘What would it take?’ The answer was, ‘A whole hell of a lot. It might take you from a (profit) to a negative.’ It wasn’t something recommended to be done.”

Seattle Still Not Getting An NHL Team, Media Hangs On To Every Word Willy Wonka Says

lol labor disputes
Via ABC News, AP Photo/ The Seattle Times,  John Lok

Insert something thoughtful about the Oilers-to-Seattle mess currently in the news here. 

It's all already been said.  It was said way before it was even officially said.  Oilers to Seattle: not going to happen.  Any team, at this present moment, and over the course of the next two years, to Seattle: not going to happen.  Very few people in the media understand this, apparently, or just need something to write about.  PucKChaser gets it.  I'm sure a good chunk of you Kansas Citians out there get it.

Why is this so hard to understand?

"Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward."

After what seemed to be fifteen hours of third graders regaling the Glendale City Council with their assessment of "Hop on Pop," it ended.  The council, in a 4-2 vote, agreed to hand over the keys of Jobing.com Arena and the Phoenix Coyotes to former San Jose Sharks owner Greg Jamison, and to squeeze their taxpayers for $325 million to fund the whole mess.  It doesn't matter, though, for you see, the Goldwater Institute, the conservative watchdog group that scuttled the Matthew Hulsizer deal, isn't happy.  Nope, not one bit.

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs looked so weary when giving her address before the official vote.  Her exclamation of "sometimes you don't always get what you want" came straight from the heart, an exhausted heart, and it really hit close to home.  Her 'nay' vote was merely a formality, as she knew it would be, but in the end it didn't matter.  It doesn't matter.  At all.  Because, like Elaine, we know this isn't over.  Not by a long shot.  For one, Greg Jamison has not officially been approved by the NHL (what's the deal with him not disclosing his investors?  Are they freakin' crab people?).  And, obviously, for two, the Goldwater Institute has a lot of influence for a group constantly pissed off at local governments.  They will take this to court, and it will get drawn out.  Again.  And the NHL will continue to be annoyed, again.  But do nothing about it.  And, really, it doesn't matter what happens to the Coyotes.  Not anymore.  They have become an annoyance.  They may relocate, they may not.  Who cares anymore?  Just get something done.  It won't matter in a few years when the team is still losing money and the city is still in the crapper.  It's a hockey team, not oil.  But whatever.  All I know is that I'm not watching anymore public access television for a while.

When does the Mavs season start?

Chris Hansen: Sports Franchise Predator

Earlier today, it was announced that the prospective builder of a new Seattle arena and potential NBA team owner, Chris Hansen, has laid out plans for the construction of a $490 million facility.

The agreement states construction could only begin on a new Seattle arena as soon as it is guaranteed to have at least an NBA tenant.  No NHL franchise is required to start construction on the building, though Hansen has not ruled out an attempt to lure a hard-luck franchise having problems in their current home.  KING 5 in Seattle and Seattle PI have the goods on all of the particulars, and I encourage you to peruse them at your leisure.

Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski compiles both stories here, but he goes light on the "geek(ing) out" this time over the prospect of an NHL team in Seattle.  Of course, as you know, a wicked shade of green jersey does not a hockey team make.  Also, remember, Vancouver and Seattle are close.  So, that's always good.

Kansas Citians will remember an arena built a few years ago that was supposed to have a professional sports tenant blah blah blah.... you know the story.

So, anyway, I'm bad at segues, so after the jump potential Seattle arena builder Chris Hansen talks to Dateline NBC's To Catch a Predator's Chris Hansen.  Because, you see, they share the same name.  Enjoy!

Gary Bettman Announces He Hopes to Have More Announcements

Original photo via : Norm Hall

Gary Bettman and Greg Jamison just finished speaking to the press in Glendale, and, booooyyyy howdy, did they say a whole lot of nothing.  Basically, the NHL, acting as the owners of the Coyotes and not the actual organization, have decided Greg Jamison has gone from "potential mystery owner" to "super sexy for reals potential owner."  In essence, Jamison is the NHL's pick as the next owner of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Oh, but if it only were so easy.  Bettman was quick to point out that they are merely in talks right now.  That is, the major announcement being that the NHL is in exclusive talks with Jamison.  Nothing has been decided, nothing is being put in front of the Glendale city council, nothing has been given to the Goldwater Institute to read, etc.  All we have is two dudes talking about how cool they are with each other.  Which is fine...who would guess any part of this process would be quick.  It's taken three years, what's another couple weeks/months?  It should be noted, though, that the city of Glendale would like to figure out a budget for next year by July 1st.  One has to imagine the NHL will want this deal to get done – one way or the other – by then, as well, so they can make the necessary arrangements (either for relocation or handing the team over to Jamison and his group).

So, elephant in the room... what does this mean for the future of the NHL in Kansas City?  Well, if you are a Kansas City hockey fan, you already know the answer to that question.  Nothing.  It means nothing one way or the other.  There was no sense in getting any hopes up over the Coyotes possibly moving.  Sure, they could and they still can, and I have nothing saying that it wouldn't except for common sense, but you know the deal.  No owner, no team.

As a fan of the league, as a fan of the sport, the Coyotes staying in the desert is the best thing that can happen right now, and their run to the Stanley Cup Finals is the best thing that can happen for the spread of the sport and its popularity.  You don't have to cheer for them, and you don't have to agree with that assessment ($20-25 million in annual losses is not good for anyone), but Bettman cannot afford to lose another one of his "non-traditional" markets, or a major television market, to the likes of a Quebec or *gasp* Saskatoon.  No, the Phoenix saga isn't over by any means, and IF this plan falls through, the Coyotes will not be in Phoenix much longer, but this reaffirms Bettman's dedication to keeping the Coyotes in Glendale, and thus, the American hockey landscape.  That's good.  That's good whether you live in Kansas City, or Miami, or Boston, or Seattle, or wherever.  Have pride in this map, Americans, just look at all of the American born players in the Southeast and Southwest.  That's encouraging, and you can at least give Bettman credit in that he wants to grow the sport, and he's at least consistent in the way that he does it.

For the "If not the Coyotes, then who?"crowd in KC, I can only offer two words of advice:  Patience, and enjoy.  We are, arguably, the most patient fan base in the country.  The Royals haven't won anything in forever.  The Chiefs can't win (consistently, and in the playoffs).  NHL and NBA exhibition games for the past forever years.  But, that's the thing.  Enjoy the exhibition games.  Enjoy the IceBreaker Tournament.  Enjoy the Mavs.  As pucKChaser put it, 2012 may be the best year for KC hockey fans ever.  It may be the best time to be a KC hockey fan since the Blades, or maybe even before that, since the mid-1970s.

Be patient, and enjoy the opportunities we get.  If you don't agree with me, just ask Coyotes fans.

Bettman Ready to Give His Daughter Away?

Via Twitter:

Fox 10 is reporting Jamison and Bettman will be in Phoenix tomorrow to announce a deal before Game 5.nothing official yet.#Coyotes
— Dave Zorn (@dave_zorn) May 7, 2012

I'm having a difficult time finding many sources to back this up, but this may be the first step in the process (or it might be BS).  Previous ownership (NHL) approval, city council approval, entire league approval.  Stay tuned.  More to come, I'm sure.

UPDATE
Lisa Halverstadt of AZ Central is also reporting this story via Twitter, and seems to have a better handle on it.  It sounds like Jamison and Bettman will make their intentions known soon.  Glendale probably will not get the vote to the city council by this Tuesday.  Meanwhile, the Goldwater Institute works overtime...

Elaine of Glendale: The Misanthrope

I was going to put a picture of Mayor Scraggs here, but I don't
want to look at her anymore after reading a bunch of
stories on this whole mess, so enjoy this instead.

Oh boy, it seems the Mayor of the City of Glendale, and she who borrowed millions upon million of dollars to build the sports complexes in Glendale, Elaine Scruggs had some harsh words for the totally-not-innocent-in-all-of-this-themselves Gary Bettman, Bill Daly, and NHL on the current state of the business-side of both parties' dealings with each other.

Basically, the mayor is not too happy that the NHL and the CoG hammered out a deal a while back that required the the city to pay the NHL $25 million to cover losses of the Coyotes this season.  The problem is, Glendale agreed to do this, and now the mayor is as mad as heck, and she ain't gonna take it anymore!  Read on, as we dissect what the mayor has to say.

NHL Ready to Abort Plan Glendale, Begin Operation Coyote Freedom (UPDATED)

First, a little evening reading:

TSN's Darren Dreger Tweet 1

TSN's Darren Dreger Tweet 2

Report: NHL investigating alternative plans for Phoenix Coyotes

What's that, you say?  We've seen this before.  Well, you're right, we have seen this before.

For numerous reasons that may be obvious, but we will not get into right now, it is good from a marketing and sustainability standpoint for NHL (hockey's highest level of competition in, arguably, the world) to have franchises in non-traditional hockey markets.  Some reasons include, but are not limited to: spread the game, open up hockey to new markets, create a wider base instead of just regional (i.e. Canada and the Northeast), large television markets, etc.  That being said, there are numerous negative financial consequences that can occur.  But, that's not the point.

Basically, if the Greg Jamison deal, which gained so much momentum only a short time ago, falls through, the NHL will be more than happy to listen to offers from ownership groups ready and willing to swoop in and carry the team away from Glendale financial hell.  "Plan B", if you will.

Of course, of the possible relocation cities mentioned by Dreger (Seattle, Quebec City, Las Vegas, and Kansas City), KC is the only one with an NHL-ready arena (read: large enough, actually exists, and not crap).  And, of course, that is not the only thing needed to have a franchise (read: OWNER, OWNER, OWNER...).  I'm not saying to start dancing on tables and buy up Coyotes merch in anticipation of the super-duper new KANSAS CITY COYOTES, nor am I saying to be pessimistic and depressed about the NHL ever coming to Kansas City.  Maintain.  The NHL probably won't come here, but then again, the NHL did operate a struggling franchise for three years in a non-traditional market.  I suppose anything could happen.  It's about perspective.

And, at least the NHL has a Plan B, unlike some people :

Haha, it's funny because "Curtis Painter"

Meanwhile, the Mavs are about ready to clinch a playoff berth.  We have a successful club here, and they are already very well supported.  THAT is a good sign.

(UPDATE concerns labeling potential Coyotes owner Greg Jamison by the wrong name.  I said Tim Jamieson, the name of the Mizzou baseball coach, because, apparently, I am dumb.)

Hey, When are the Coyotes Moving to Seattle?

Just a timeline of links of things that are going on with the Coyotes and Seattle and a possible new arena and all of that mumbo-jumbo.

NHL Denies Report That the Coyotes Have Been Sold
Despite a report from KING in Seattle (since taken down) saying that the 'Yotes have found an owner.  This means that they are neither staying in Glendale, nor are they moving anywhere.

NHL Denies that Greg Jamison's the Next Phoenix Coyotes Owner
Yes, Puck Daddy again, and yes, I could write another whole post on this article, but I will take the high road on this one.  The only part I will challenge is the final few sentences.

Everything I've heard is that this is the last year in the desert for the Coyotes.

Sources would be fantastic to list here, as Wysh has not given anything more than speculation in his previous articles.  Bettman thinks Seattle would be a fine place for a franchise, just like he thinks that of KC, LV, Glendale, etc., so yeah, he isn't a source.  Also, other like-minded people are not reputable sources if they report the same thing as you do without sources.

But guarantees have really never had a home in this drama, which seems to take a new turn every week.

No, it does not, because most of this "drama" was manufactured out of some guy in Seattle wanting to build an arena, but who is not in the team ownership business.  Plus, we have been talking about the same thing with the Coyotes ownership for a while now.  That is, there is no real front runner.  "Drama" implies an ownership situation has gone from one extreme to another.  If anything, this situation is droll.  So very, very droll.

NHL Denies Phoenix Coyotes Sale Report, Seattle Sports Fans Keeping Watchful Eye
Maybe if the Coyotes do move to Seattle, they can call the team the Watchful Eyes, or Sky Eyes, or Alan Parsons.  If some guy named T.J. Eckleburg purchases the Coyotes and moves them to Seattle, then I quit.

Concerns Raised About New Seattle Arena Plan
Why Seattle's Initiative 91 on sports subsidies may present some obstacles for a new arena.

Initiative 91 Explanation

Seattle Arena Proposal: Deal Contingent on NBA, NHL Franchise First
What a concept...  Article also explains how I-91 may not be a problem anyway.

NHL Relocation: Why the Phoenix Coyotes Won't Move to Seattle This Summer
Don't let the title fool you, this article does not do any of that.

Personally, I don't know why Seattle "is really the best location for (the Coyotes) to land" or makes the most sense than any other potentially interested city.  Seattle, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Quebec City, Hartford, etc. all have a hockey history, all have an interested fan base, all have no real ownership group, and hell, all have geographic rival cities.  What Travis Hughes, the author of the article in the last link, fails to argue is why Seattle is a better location than any other city.  Greg Wyshynski at least claims to have some sort of weird attraction to Seattle hockey.  I don't know, maybe I'm crazy, or just biased or whatever.  I'm not saying the Coyotes won't move to Seattle.  It could very well happen.  But, the reporting on an initial story (Coyotes ownership) and connecting it to a new Seattle arena proposal story does not a relocation make.

Consider this a Kansas City based Coyotes Relocation Open Thread.  Have an opinion on the relocation matter?  Think Seattle is a nice city to get a cup of coffee?  Think Quebec City is kind of cold this time of year?  I certainly do not share your opinion, so tell us your opinions in the comments.  Come on, everyone has a Google account nowadays, so it's really easy to comment.  To borrow and paraphrase a line from blog Jewels From the Crown, it's time to stop lurking and get the dialogue moving.

EVEN MORE Relocation Super Fun Time

"The building challenges for Seattle, Quebec City as NHL markets"

No longer is what Greg Wyshynski doing with these articles in any way constructive or informative.  Really, this article seemed to be damage control for the one he wrote the other day basically saying how great it would be if Seattle had an NHL team, and then posted a video with Gary Bettman saying nothing about Seattle.  It was some hard-hitting journalism, I tells ya!

Enough is enough, though, and Wysh is not the only one doing it.  Look, no one wants to move a team (the Coyotes) to Seattle right now.  No one (viable owners) wants to move a team to Kansas City right now, although the people that own the local arena (AEG) probably wouldn't mind.  Some people want to move a team to Quebec City, but they are not as forceful as True North and the city is dragging its feet on an NHL-caliber arena.  No one but maybe some guy Gary Bettman goes fishing with wants to move a team to Las Vegas right now.  It is what it is.  If anything, owners are selling teams.  The Blues, Stars, etc. to more or less operate in the same cities.  It's cheaper than moving.  The Devils and Coyotes fit into a category of NHL money hemorrhagers, but it is hard to see an established organization like New Jersey to just pick up and leave town to go to a market with more questions than answers.

The argument against KC and QC are "well they had a team and now it's someone else's turn."  Obviously, those arguments are ineffective and pointless, causing more arguments than actually giving evidence towards solving one.  So what?  Minnesota had their chance with the North Stars, right?  Winnipeg had their chance already?  Didn't Atlanta already get a chance?  What about Northern California?  Just by saying someone had their chance already does not make a city or area's hockey community any smaller or weaker.  Plus, that ignores the whole business-side of things.  If someone sees a good investment (i.e. no lease payments for an arena) with minimal risk, the deal can get done.  This also deflects from the reasons why Seattle has never housed an NHL team.  It's not like there is a pecking order, and Seattle drew the short straw in 1917 and are just now getting a crack at housing an NHL franchise.

What certainly doesn't help is our very own The Pitch's myopic view on things.  Wysh links to Jonathan Bender's article in The Pitch, calling KC "emo" due to the advent of the Seattle issue.  Although Bender's article does raise a good question (when is the Sprint Center too old to attract suitors?) it plays to the whole notion that Seattle is just lying in waiting for Bettman and the NHL to say "ohhh, I'm so sorry Glendale, but time is up.  You lose.  It looks like your team will be moving to Seattle.  But we have some lovely parting gifts..."  I use the term myopic to describe this article, but perhaps that is not fair.  It's not fair, because all Mr. Bender is doing is giving a very broad local reaction to an article from NBC Sports talking about how Seattle is such a great fit for the NHL.  The NBC Sports article is, like the multiple articles on Puck Daddy, PURE SPECULATION.  Observe:

"As we wrote back in December, there are lots of things Seattle's got going for it:
-- Large metro population
-- Plenty of rich people (editors note: BWHAHAHAHAHAA who writes this?!?!)
-- High-profile companies like Amazon.com, Starbucks and Microsoft
-- Close enough to draw from Portland and Vancouver
-- "Let's do something indoors" weather during the winter"

This is what passes for acceptable writing nowadays, folks.  And The Pitch's blog LINKS TO THIS!  So, now, nationally recognized writers (Greg Wyshynski) look at this reaction in KC, believe KC is bitter, and it fuels their argument that has no basis in fact and has taken on a life of its own.  The NBC Sports article even links to a story from the Winnipeg Free Press calling Seattle the "lead horse" when it comes to relocation cities, without giving any other reasons.  It just is, I guess.  It's just as baseless as any other article on the same topic.  It's like a bunch of media outlets got together to write the same story, then linked to each other's stories to generate buzz for something no one has talked about in the history of ever!

Ahem.

But, let's compose ourselves for a moment.  How about a few questions for the pro-NHL to Seattle crowd.  Who will own this team?  Do the citizens even want the NHL?  Are city officials even willing to ponder an NHL team?  Will an arena deal even get traction?  How will they pay for a new arena?  Is "Let's do something indoors" weather like "Rainy day" weather, or more on par with "Let's not go out to eat tonight, I had to work all day and am kind of tired" weather?  Why is Seattle housing many of the nation's rich people?  Aren't Seattleites too laid back to care about hockey?  And maybe the biggest question, will Gary Bettman let the Coyotes out of Glendale?

This is an injustice to actual Journalism, with a capital J.  This is a story for the sake of a story.  No city has ever been the "leader in the clubhouse" for the Coyotes; that is not a real thing that has ever existed.  Words of advice to our hockey loving friends in Seattle:  Don't get your hopes up.

This makes me lightheaded.


(P.S.: Wysh runs a great blog, but I just do not agree with this particular topic.  Read it for the other good work, though.  And Seattleites, I do not intend to be mean with my words of advice, but the citizens of Kansas City have seen this before firsthand.)

Puck Daddy Relocation Super Fun Time (UPDATE)

"NHL relocation to Seattle: Will new arena, Coyotes' plight bring pucks to Pacific Northwest?" (link fixed)

These articles are always fun, because they are pure speculation and basically don't solve anything.  I shall paraphrase:  "There is a guy in Seattle who wants to build a new arena for the NBA.  Also, possibly for the NHL.  A Seattle-Vancouver rivalry would be cool."

LOOGIT HOW CLOSE THEY IZ!

The Glendale/Coyote situation is pretty simple to figure out:

• The Coyotes represent a team in Bettman's southern influence zone.  Taking that team away does not 'spread the influence of the game.'  Bettman does not want to lose another one of those teams (e.g. Atlanta).
• The NHL also does not want to own the Coyotes anymore.  They lose over $20 million annually.
• No particular "cities" are interested, meaning none of the current possible ownership groups are looking to move the Coyotes from Glendale.  None of these groups are like a True North for Winnipeg.
• Thus, no one has said anything about Seattle getting an NHL team.  But, some guy wants to build a new arena for a future NBA team because the Key Arena is junk.

What can Seattle learn from Kansas City?  Well, first, they need an owner to bring a team to Seattle.  Also, they need an hockey (NHL) ready arena, which has caused this speculation.  Third, they need city officials willing to bring in a NHL team.  Plus, a whole bunch of other things to go the right way just to take one team to another city.

So, yeah, do that, and then maybe we have a story.

UPDATE: Yeah, also Bettman never says anything about Seattle in this video that Greg Wyshynski has embedded in his article talking about a possible NHL team in Seattle.  I think the key phrase is "we don't like moving franchises," a point Bettman has harped on before when talking about the stability of the league and continued growth of the game.  If keeping the team in Arizona is the priority, then KC, Seattle, Quebec, etc. are not even being discussed by the "interested buyers."

NHL to Coyotes: "We Need to Start Seeing Other People"

Toronto Star: NHL set to unload or move Coyotes

SB Nation Arizona: Phoenix Coyotes Clock Ticking, NHL To Sell Or Move Team


We have heard all of this before.  We have heard all of this before, with the condition that the Coyotes would move to Quebec.  The league has set deadlines in the past, only to own the franchise for yet another full season.

I won't rehash the details of why the NHL might be tired of the Coyotes, or why the Coyotes are struggling at the gate this season.  Those articles above do a decent job of laying out all of the details.  And whether this "source on condition of anonymity" is for real or not, it makes sense why the NHL wants to settle the Coyotes mess. 


The reality is that relocation is bad for the NHL.  Instability among American markets take away from what Gary Bettman has tried to do as commissioner, which is to expand the footprint of the league and the sport.  Florida, Atlanta, Anaheim, Nashville, Dallas, and Raleigh; All cities gaining franchises under his watch.  Losing large cities like Atlanta takes a large American market away from the NHL, which, let's face it, have the potential to bring in more $$$ than a moderately-sized Canadian market.  Not popularity, not attendance, but straight cash, homey.

But, in today's world, Kansas City will not see an expansion franchise.  Some argue the league is already too bloated.  People always talk about relocation, so the recent increase in talk over the past few years is not a good justification for saying things might happen (look at this blog for example).  Things might happen, or they might not.  Who would have thought the Coyotes would have lasted this long?  Who would have thought the Atlanta to Winnipeg deal would have been done as fast as you can say Ondrej Pavelec?  But, the fact remains that relocation is the only way Kansas City will get a hockey team within the next ten years (maybe more).

Will the Coyotes franchise come to Kansas City?  No, there is a better chance Tyler Palko throws for 400 yards and 5 TDs against the Patriots next Monday than the Coyotes coming to Kansas City.  Does the Coyotes potential move represent the best possibility for Kansas City to get a club in the next five years?  Yes, and here is why.

Whatever you want to believe, Kansas City is currently near the top of the list as a relocation candidate.  That just does not mean much.  Other cities like Quebec, Seattle, and Las Vegas all provide a viable option for an NHL ownership group, but all need new "NHL" arenas (yes, so does Winnipeg, but still).  Plus, putting a team in Vegas is kind of like putting an XFL team there.  It's cool that the sport is in Vegas, but does it really matter?  Also, The Sprint Center is not getting any newer, and the NHL and people with the prospective of getting involved with the NHL know that.  The downtown arena will only be a showpiece for so long until it needs to have something sustain it.  Look at Kemper.  There is no reason to keep the arena if you can build a better one that also only has concerts, circuses, and monster truck rallies.  Also, you hear a lot about franchises like the Devils with financial problems, or the Blue Jackets with attendance issues, or the Stars with both plus ownership issues.  Why would the league be willing to move these franchises if they have not been willing to budge on the Coyotes for years, and had the Thrashers-Jets whisked away from them by an ownership group on a mission.  Those franchises are not going anywhere unless some random group like True North appears out of nowhere and packs up the franchise in Mayflower Moving trucks.

So, it is not so much the Coyotes relocating is an optimistic thing for Kansas Citians, it's just the most realistic option at this point (which is sad).  Realism, the truth, and Kansas City hockey fans do not mix.

This news is not positive, but it is not meant to be.  As Luc Robitaille and Tim Leiweke and Sly James have all driven into the Kansas City hockey fan's collective mind is that neither the City nor AEG will help bring a team here.  But, who will is an ownership group we haven't even met yet.  An owner that hasn't graced our 10pm news reports yet.  An owner Kansas City deserves, but not the owner we need right now.  A silent guardian, a watchful protector.  Probably not Jim Balsillie!