There are reasons why the NHL keeps the team in Phoenix that we're not aware of. I understand the frustration. But contraction is not the solution.
- MJL

I know. The reasons are population. A much smaller percentage of people will watch the Coyotes than the Jets, but more overall people will watch the Coyotes.

More people = more for advertisements = more money = Owners get laid more

Time to start debate.

As the team sits right now, how do you grade Homer's off-season.

1. Draft- I give Homer a C- on draft. They reached for Morin, but got a steal in Hagg. Should have done more IMO. I believe the oppertunity was there. The 3rd pick was way out there... If it wasn't for the fact they got Hagg, and finally drafted for the position they need....4-6 defensemen I think then he would have got an F.

2. Trades- A+ So far the only notable trade was for Streits rights. He didn't give anything of value up, and was able to negotiate with him before all the inflated FA prices. But extra points for not trading any of the youth in BAD deals yet. I wont mind someone going in a good deal, but just not in a bad deal.

3. Buy-outs- A+ We all knew what needed to be done, and it is done.

4. Contract Extensions- B I'm going to count Streit as a FA signing, but the re-signing of Giroux was a good move at this time, I just think he gave a little too much.

5. Free Agency- A- Homer added Lecavalier for a much needed 2nd line center, for pennies on the dollar. In a market where Clarkson gets 5.5 and Iginla get 6, to get Lecavalier for 4.5 is a steal. The term is not great, however it is not an over 35 contract, and there is always the chance to return him to Tampa to close a career. Besides with the cap going up, 4.5 million will not be a huge contract. Streit was also a good signing. He was able to get the top defenseman and exactly what they needed for this defense at just slightly below market value. Again the term is not good, and it is an over 35 deal, but that will be something to address down the road, not in the next 1-2 years. Ray Emery was another steal. Just over a million for a goalie that went 17-1 last season and has shown to be a good goalie for us in the past. When comparible goalies were going for 3 million up. What really earns Homer the high grade here is finding ways to get what you needed without overspending on frindge players like Clarkson.

Overall Grade: I think a solid b+ can be given to Homer so far. He played it cool in FA, got his young guy under contract, and didn't trade any of the young guys. He also addressed team needs of 2nd line center and puck moving d-man. Wasnt impressed with the draft, and we know there are still at least 1-2 moves left. The question is whether they will just be salary dump a d-man, get a scoring winger, or get a top defenseman to replace Timonen.

OK Joe.... Your turn.

I've always hated the idea of 1 city with 2 teams. I'm not saying it doesn't work, I just don't like it.

I know money runs sports, but I wish they would spread things out a bit and give a team to a city that would truly LOVE the team.
- PhillySportsGuy

You don't think Toronto will embrace a second team? There are a legion of fans shut outside the Leafs arena. If you want to expand you need to expand to cities that will support the team. Quebec and Toronto are perfect locations. I think Seattle is iffy as far as support goes, same with Kansas City. The last thing you need is for another failed expansion.

I think most fans wouldn't mind seeing the little sisters of the poor helped out if there actually seemed to be interest in that franchise. People get annoyed at seeing Phoenix keep their team simply because they have a large city. I can guarantee that every one of us knows more about the Coyotes than most sports fans in Phoenix. Same with the Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars.
- PhillySportsGuy

i was in nashville recently
a bar across the street from the arena entrance had a chicago blackhawks neon sign in their front window

I've always hated the idea of 1 city with 2 teams. I'm not saying it doesn't work, I just don't like it.

I know money runs sports, but I wish they would spread things out a bit and give a team to a city that would truly LOVE the team.
- PhillySportsGuy

I wouldn't mind the new team going to Hamilton or Mississauga as opposed to Toronto itself.

I know. The reasons are population. A much smaller percentage of people will watch the Coyotes than the Jets, but more overall people will watch the Coyotes.

More people = more for advertisements = more money = Owners get laid more
- PhillySportsGuy

Despite the larger population I'd bet a weeks salary that the Jets have more eyes glued to TV screens every game than the Coyotes.

You don't think Toronto will embrace a second team? There are a legion of fans shut outside the Leafs arena. If you want to expand you need to expand to cities that will support the team. Quebec and Toronto are perfect locations. I think Seattle is iffy as far as support goes, same with Kansas City. The last thing you need is for another failed expansion.
- mayorofangrytown

Agreed. If there is expansion, or a team is to move Hamilton ON, and Quebec City are the most logical. But since we are talking the NHL logic very rarely wins out.

Time to start debate.

As the team sits right now, how do you grade Homer's off-season.

1. Draft- I give Homer a C- on draft. They reached for Morin, but got a steal in Hagg. Should have done more IMO. I believe the oppertunity was there. The 3rd pick was way out there... If it wasn't for the fact they got Hagg, and finally drafted for the position they need....4-6 defensemen I think then he would have got an F.

2. Trades- A+ So far the only notable trade was for Streits rights. He didn't give anything of value up, and was able to negotiate with him before all the inflated FA prices. But extra points for not trading any of the youth in BAD deals yet. I wont mind someone going in a good deal, but just not in a bad deal.

3. Buy-outs- A+ We all knew what needed to be done, and it is done.

4. Contract Extensions- B I'm going to count Streit as a FA signing, but the re-signing of Giroux was a good move at this time, I just think he gave a little too much.

5. Free Agency- A- Homer added Lecavalier for a much needed 2nd line center, for pennies on the dollar. In a market where Clarkson gets 5.5 and Iginla get 6, to get Lecavalier for 4.5 is a steal. The term is not great, however it is not an over 35 contract, and there is always the chance to return him to Tampa to close a career. Besides with the cap going up, 4.5 million will not be a huge contract. Streit was also a good signing. He was able to get the top defenseman and exactly what they needed for this defense at just slightly below market value. Again the term is not good, and it is an over 35 deal, but that will be something to address down the road, not in the next 1-2 years. Ray Emery was another steal. Just over a million for a goalie that went 17-1 last season and has shown to be a good goalie for us in the past. When comparible goalies were going for 3 million up. What really earns Homer the high grade here is finding ways to get what you needed without overspending on frindge players like Clarkson.

Overall Grade: I think a solid b+ can be given to Homer so far. He played it cool in FA, got his young guy under contract, and didn't trade any of the young guys. He also addressed team needs of 2nd line center and puck moving d-man. Wasnt impressed with the draft, and we know there are still at least 1-2 moves left. The question is whether they will just be salary dump a d-man, get a scoring winger, or get a top defenseman to replace Timonen.

OK Joe.... Your turn.
- youarewrong

I think you were a little harsh on the draft and a bit lenient on everything else. The 1st and second rounds are by far the most important picks. He seems to have gotten 2 future top 4 defenseman. Z2 was a bad pick, but even if he develops into a 4th line player the Flyers will come away with a nice haul for this draft assuming no one else develops into anything.

Time to start debate.

As the team sits right now, how do you grade Homer's off-season.

1. Draft- I give Homer a C- on draft. They reached for Morin, but got a steal in Hagg. Should have done more IMO. I believe the oppertunity was there. The 3rd pick was way out there... If it wasn't for the fact they got Hagg, and finally drafted for the position they need....4-6 defensemen I think then he would have got an F.

2. Trades- A+ So far the only notable trade was for Streits rights. He didn't give anything of value up, and was able to negotiate with him before all the inflated FA prices. But extra points for not trading any of the youth in BAD deals yet. I wont mind someone going in a good deal, but just not in a bad deal.

3. Buy-outs- A+ We all knew what needed to be done, and it is done.

4. Contract Extensions- B I'm going to count Streit as a FA signing, but the re-signing of Giroux was a good move at this time, I just think he gave a little too much.

5. Free Agency- A- Homer added Lecavalier for a much needed 2nd line center, for pennies on the dollar. In a market where Clarkson gets 5.5 and Iginla get 6, to get Lecavalier for 4.5 is a steal. The term is not great, however it is not an over 35 contract, and there is always the chance to return him to Tampa to close a career. Besides with the cap going up, 4.5 million will not be a huge contract. Streit was also a good signing. He was able to get the top defenseman and exactly what they needed for this defense at just slightly below market value. Again the term is not good, and it is an over 35 deal, but that will be something to address down the road, not in the next 1-2 years. Ray Emery was another steal. Just over a million for a goalie that went 17-1 last season and has shown to be a good goalie for us in the past. When comparible goalies were going for 3 million up. What really earns Homer the high grade here is finding ways to get what you needed without overspending on frindge players like Clarkson.

Overall Grade: I think a solid b+ can be given to Homer so far. He played it cool in FA, got his young guy under contract, and didn't trade any of the young guys. He also addressed team needs of 2nd line center and puck moving d-man. Wasnt impressed with the draft, and we know there are still at least 1-2 moves left. The question is whether they will just be salary dump a d-man, get a scoring winger, or get a top defenseman to replace Timonen.

OK Joe.... Your turn.
- youarewrong

I think you were a little harsh on the draft and a bit lenient on everything else. The 1st and second rounds are by far the most important picks. He seems to have gotten 2 future top 4 defenseman. Z2 was a bad pick, but even if he develops into a 4th line player the Flyers will come away with a nice haul for this draft assuming no one else develops into anything.
- PhillySportsGuy

How is anything viewed a good or bad pick, before these kids play an NHL game?

Despite the larger population I'd bet a weeks salary that the Jets have more eyes glued to TV screens every game than the Coyotes.
- mayorofangrytown

Winnipeg 663,617
Phoenix 1.5M + 200k (Glendale) = 1.7M

If every person from Winnipeg watches the game only 1/3 from Phoenix would have to.

Despite the larger population I'd bet a weeks salary that the Jets have more eyes glued to TV screens every game than the Coyotes.
- mayorofangrytown

Right now? Definitely. In the future? Probably.

The NHL is gambling on that 'probably' going the other way. Good odds, right?

Haha you know what I mean though. No cap takes away the emphasis on home growing players. It just creates permanent losers and permanent winners. Good teams are only good because of their money. It's part of my problem with European Soccer leagues. It creates teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid that each have 1 of the top 2 players in the world, and the rest of their top 10 are made of the best players in the world. It makes it so if someone emerges as a great player somewhere in the world (Neymar in Brazil, Modric in England, Ronaldo in England, etc), and the teams of these players think they've found something really special to help them compete, they are forced to either sell the player to Barcelona or Real Madrid, or watch the player leave for nothing when his contract expires to go play for a massive salary in one of these places. It's why the other teams in La Liga might as well not even exist, because Barcelona and Real Madrid just dominate the league year in and year out. I don't want any part of that in the NHL.
- JAKEw1234

Meh. The cap isn't doing anything close to what it is supposed to do. Many teams that were have-not's in the "old" NHL are still on the outside looking in.

I think you were a little harsh on the draft and a bit lenient on everything else. The 1st and second rounds are by far the most important picks. He seems to have gotten 2 future top 4 defenseman. Z2 was a bad pick, but even if he develops into a 4th line player the Flyers will come away with a nice haul for this draft assuming no one else develops into anything.
- PhillySportsGuy

You can't call Goulbourne a bad pick. Have you even seen the kid play a game yet? Why don't you give him a bit of a chance to develop before you write him off as a bad pick in the third round? For all you know the kid will turn into the next Marchand.

How is anything viewed a good or bad pick, before these kids play an NHL game?
- PLindbergh31

I think the Austin Goulatar or whaetver his name was in the 3rd round can be considered a bad pick, only because they could have gotten him later. I would have preferred (by a lot) Pulock over Morin, but I won't say it's a good or bad pick now.

I've read some of your offerings here, and if my posts can lean your thoughts toward contraceptives, it's been a productive day.
- tangent_man

That ship has already sailed... I have 6 kids.

You can't call Goulbourne a bad pick. Have you even seen the kid play a game yet? Why don't you give him a bit of a chance to develop before you write him off as a bad pick in the third round? For all you know the kid will turn into the next Marchand.
- mayorofangrytown

I think it's a bad use of a 3rd rounder, because he was most likely still available with their 5th round pick. That's my only issue with it.

You can now preorder them on the Flyers website, and oh boy do they just look right:

You can't call Goulbourne a bad pick. Have you even seen the kid play a game yet? Why don't you give him a bit of a chance to develop before you write him off as a bad pick in the third round? For all you know the kid will turn into the next Marchand.
- mayorofangrytown

I didn't mean it like that. I meant to say that Homer seemed to reach on him based on most projections. He seems like a guy they could have gotten later.

If he turns into Marchand, I will eat crow and be happy to do it.

I think the Austin Goulatar or whaetver his name was in the 3rd round can be considered a bad pick, only because they could have gotten him later. I would have preferred (by a lot) Pulock over Morin, but I won't say it's a good or bad pick now.
- jmatchett383

I think any player drafted after the second round is pretty much a lottery ticket. What % of 3rd rounders become NHL regulars? I think it's a pretty low number.

Based on what I read I would have preferred Pullock, or Zadorov to be the pick, but the only way to judge a draft is through hindsight.

I've read some of your offerings here, and if my posts can lean your thoughts toward contraceptives, it's been a productive day.
- tangent_man

Does my trade coots for subban post seem sooo bad today as in January when I 1st started posting them?

@youarewrong

The offseason isn't over yet. I feel another move is to be made. I have no problem with the moves made so far. I think we over paid slightly on an over 35 contract for Marc Streit but it is a position of need. So far I would give Homer an A. If he managed to unload Meszaros before the week is over and adds Gagne for 2 seasons and for under 2.5 million, I sill upgrade it to an A+.

The moves made I think could be compared to the offseason where we came out dead last. Homer never sits back, he does something about it.

The main issue I have with the new divisions and playoff formatting is the East has 16 teams, the West 14. Right off the bat it's not an even playing field. It's markedly harder to make the playoffs in the East.

Dumb.
- PLindbergh31

NHL Board of Governors Meeting

http://www.google.com/img...d=1t:429,r:48,s:100,i:148

NHL Board of Governors Meeting

http://www.google.com/img...d=1t:429,r:48,s:100,i:148
- KINGKENZO

Winnipeg 663,617
Phoenix 1.5M + 200k (Glendale) = 1.7M

If every person from Winnipeg watches the game only 1/3 from Phoenix would have to.
- PhillySportsGuy

The Coyotes are averaging 16,223 household viewers each game which nearly doubled last years numbers.

The Jets got 148,000 viewers for their home opener. 500,000 at least checked in during the game.

It's not even close.