On Monday everyone was excited that Gustavsson was starting in net for Detroit, except me. Everyone thought since Monster is such a sieve it would be easy to score goals and win the game. My reply? Coyotes can't score, don't become overconfident. The games we expect to win are the ones in which the Coyotes fall flat on their faces. As the great (in his mind) SputnikAZ likes to say: never get too high, never get too low.

This has not been the Coyotes year. The last few years have been great, especially last year but something just isn't clicking this year. There were only a few roster changes from last year and I honestly thought the Coyotes would be just as good. Boy was I wrong.

Smith had a phenomenal year last year. Was it a fluke? Or is the shortened season and condensed schedule too much of a burden on Smith? Is he tired, playing with small, nagging injuries? Well, currently he's on IR but I mean overall. For some reason he is just not having as good of a year as last.

Our defense struggled early on while our forwards actually seemed to be scoring. We finally seem to get the defense straightened out and the forwards stop scoring. It is hard to win games if you can't score goals. Smith and company can stop all goals or allow 107 but it won't matter if our forwards can't get 1 or 108 goals.

The power play looked so promising earlier this season too. It is now slowly going the way of the buffalo (cookie for you if you get the reference). Obviously something is not working, somewhere something is broken. Is it coaching staff? Players? A combination? Something beyond that? I know I don't have the answers and neither does any other fan; we aren't privy to everything.

What would I like to see going forward?
My wish list would include a power play that works. One where dump and chase is not very common but where we can actually carry the puck into the zone. We win face offs all over the ice but when it comes time to a power play faceoff we can't win one to save our lives. I'd like to get some face offs. I'll settle for 50%.

I'd also like a true sniper. A goal scorer. Someone who gets 30+ goals a season, consistently. Someone that has proven he has what it takes to score all the time or at least when it matters. I don't know who this is but I want him. ;)

I want the Coyotes to be less fancy-pants in their passes. It's great that you have figured out the drop pass but it is not appropriate in every situation. Along the same lines... stop being so unselfish. If you have a shot, please take it. Yes you have a teammate coming up  but he may not have a shot and now you've wasted a perfect opportunity.

Lastly, I want to see a full 60 minutes played. I want to see lots of hard hitting hockey. We don't have a team stocked with a bunch of highly skilled players. Coyotes have always played best when physical but you can't always come from behind and win because you didn't want o play in the first period. Nor can you give up in the third and blow a lead. I can't count how many times I've said this over the past six or so years. Last year was about the only time I wasn't saying it every other game.

Honestly at this point I don't care if the Coyotes make the playoffs this season. The way they've played hasn't been indicative of a playoff team. I just want to see them play their best and I don't think that has happened much this season.

Tell Me: What is your wish list for the Coyotes? Would you consider a coaching change if it helped the power play? Who would you deal and for what?

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Have you heard of the Chicago Cubs Curse of the Goat? It has been going strong for many, many seasons. Is it real? Is it all just a coincidence? What does this have to do with hockey you ask?

Well, this season Thursday nights seem to be cursed for the Coyotes. They have not won a game on a Thursday night. It could be just a coincidence or we could be dealing with something supernatural here. I don’t know who could have made the curse. A disgruntled employee? An angry old owner? Hockey fans without their own team? A grumpy Glendale counselperson?

*whew* That is a long list of possibilities. Without knowing where the curse came from we will have issues breaking it. There is no clear cut curse breaker. I would like to suggest a few ways to break the curse…

Option 1:
Burn a Coyotes Gretzky jersey in the Coyotes attack twice zone. Somehow this has to come back to the Gretzky era.. They’ve been playing like that team some games! Dump n chase anyone?

Option 2:
Pull a Jimmy Hoffa* on Jerry Moyes and bury him under the arena. Maybe Moyes is still hurt that his little bankruptcy plan didn’t work.

Option 3:
A virgin ref needs to be sacrificed* at Center Ice. I believe a hockey version of a Viking’s funeral is most appropriate. I assume most, if not all, refs are virgins. It just seems like they all need to get laid.

Personally I prefer Thirsty Thursday to Troubled Thursday so can someone please figure out how to break the curse? I will buy you a beer if it works.

Tell Me: What ideas do you have to break the Thursday Coyotes Curse?

 

 

*This site does not condone actual violence. Please do not kidnap, murder, bury, sacrifice, burn or anything else that may cause harm to a living creature. This is all said in jest. Thank you

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I know I need to get back into the swing of things here and I am going to do my best to post a story/update/snippet every Friday, starting today. I happened to luck out today and had something fall into my lap as I was sitting here staring at a blank joomla article.

The Coyotes have signed OEL to a 6 year contract with an average of 5.5 million/year. That is a pretty sweet deal for both sides. OEL is really starting to come into his own and will only get better with time. And no, I do not believe (as some do) that this means the Coyotes are any closer to an owner. Remember Yandle? Hanzal? Doan?

Nothing will show we are close to a new owner until the ink is dried, all t’s are crossed and I’s dotted on every contract. I have stopped following the ownership rumors. It is not worth the roller coaster after so many years. I've become numb to the ownership saga. 

In other news: Coyotes need to figure out how to win on the road and Thursday nights. They have only won three on the road and none, yes none, on a Thursday. If the Coyotes want to make the playoffs and go deep they will need to figure out how to win on the road. The Thursday night losses may be a coincidence but I guess it’s one positive of the shortened season that we have games on many other nights of the week. 

 

I feel like I have spent most of this season watching hockey but not really seeing or connecting. I am going through the motions but am not really present, so to speak. I have been more critical of some players than warranted because I don't remember or recall what they have done outside of the last game or two. If corrected on my baseless opinion, I appreciate it. I'd rather be corrected then spouting incorrect information. I also try to take note of what I was given and watch for it in the next game. I am the first to admit that I was highly critical of Jovo back in the day. Was it warranted? Maybe, maybe not. In my opinion it was. Others liked him. To each their own. I try not to tell others that their opinion of a player is wrong; we all see different things for different reasons. There has been one thing that I've noticed this season that has really gotten on my nerves. The all-out Yandle hating. I am not saying that criticism isn't warranted, it is. I am directly speaking to people that blame Yandle for everything and every loss. The last I checked hockey was still a team sport and requires the efforts of every single player.

I have never been a Yandle fan so to speak but have never hated him as a player either. I like to think I see both his good and bad. I feel I am pretty middle of the road but the small group of Coyotes fans that hate him have lead me to defend him over and over again. It's getting tiring. This is also the same group who are afraid any time Smith leaves the crease yet encourages him to shoot (even though it would most likely end in an icing). I should also include the fans that yell "SHOOT" while still in the neutral zone or during a power play with no open shooting lanes. I am tired of hearing this at every home game and reading about it on Facebook after every loss.

I feel people lose sight of the fact that Yandle has always made these mistakes. These mistakes are quite common in offensive minded defense men. But why the sudden vitriol this season? I don't remember hearing much in seasons past, especially not at games. Is it because we were more dominate last season? Is it because when Yandle first started out Jovo was here to showcase his mistakes instead? Or we had some really bad dmen for awhile there? Is it because of Yandle's most recent contract? His play really hasn't changed that much over the years. He has gotten a few years older and received the "A" but his on ice game hasn't changed. He has the A.. he must show some kind of leadership or charisma. If you observe him in practice, he works hard and has a good time. After wins he does fun high fives with the guy. Maybe he is our morale booster. Maybe he is good in the locker room. We don't see everything the coaches do but sometimes think we know better. 

Did we lose one (of three in a row) to the Ducks? Sure. Was it Yandle's fault? Not really. Yes, he had a turnover, which lead to a goal, but need I remind you the Coyotes were already down 1-0 at that point and had pulled the goalie. Where were the forwards that night? They managed 8 goals in the last two. Did we blow our wad in the first two games of the series? The entire team has also looked like crap in the 1st period, improved slightly in the 2nd and played all out in the 3rd for the last half dozen or so games. One cannot win games like that. There needs to be a full 60 minutes. I am having Gretzky era flash backs of dump and chase on a power play and not showing up until the 3rd. I don't want to go back there but this team is reminding me of that dark time.

The shortened season has not helped fans expectations. I will admit I was mad the first month or so of the season but then I realized there was no training camp. There was no pre-season. Struggles should have ensued. Not everyone can be the Chicago Blackhawks and come out of the gate wining every game (until the Colorado loss). The Coyotes have struggled, as have many other teams. We can only hope that we put up enough of a fight to win enough games to guarantee a playoffs spot. If we had a full season, maybe things would be different. But we don't and they aren't. I would rather see the Coyotes play every game with heart, passion and a drive to win then make the playoffs but just slogging along. The best games have been when the Coyotes come out swinging, play a full 60 minutes and don't let up when winning. We need this at every single game.

I asked on Facebook and Twitter: Who do you think is the best current NHL defense man?

 I received quite a few votes for Suter (he'd be my pick), Chara and Karlsson. A lot of Coyotes fans said OEL. Letang, Franson and Timmonen were mentioned. What do you think makes these players stand out? They are typically defensively responsible but also able to read plays and know when to jump in offensively. Yandle is more offensively focused. Take a look at this article; Yandle is second in the league for defensemen in carrying the puck over the zone. Did you know that? I didn't but once I learned about it, I started to notice it more. While our other guys (forwards, mind you) dump and chase, Yandle carries the puck in consistently. He also has 76 shots on goal so far. He shoots the puck. A lot. You know, what all those people yell at them to do... he does. 

I tried to ask about the worst but that didn't go over well. The worst seems to be a much harder question to answer then best. I got immediate responses, and lots of them, to the best. I had to ask the worst twice before I received a response and then I only received on real response (and two jokes, which were expected and funny). It makes me wonder why are we so quick to judge Yandle but when asked who is the worse, no one can answer? I did not get an on pouring of Yandle hate when I asked this question yet everyone on Facebook and at games want to trade him, for anything (or nothing in some cases). Is Yandle really that bad? Maybe some of his critics should get out on the ice and try to do what he does 82 nights (plus practices) a season. I haven't played any sort of hockey since high school and I know I couldn't do what he does. 

I love when my tweets lead to great hockey discussions. Too often there is fighting and stupid comments being tossed around. I enjoy talking hockey, hearing different points of view and presenting mine (all in an adult manor). It reminds me that not all fans are dumb or ill informed. Healthy discussions and new points of view are refreshing. It was just what I needed.

Maybe if I blogged more I'd feel as refreshed about hockey as I did the other day. It is far too easy to hear the haters than it is the rational fans. I do enjoy writing and feel I know enough about hockey to have an informed opinion. I also like hearing others opinions because sometimes it leads me to look more closely at someone and see the good they bring.

Your thoughts: Who do you think is the best, or worst, defenseman on the league? Will you take a moment to look more closely at what an individual player contributes rather than what they mess up? 

An undisclosed source has revealed to me why Greg Jamison is so loath to reveal who his investors are.

Have you ever heard of a little show called Shark Tank? According to my source this show is the reason why Jamison cannot (and will not) reveal his investors.

The story goes that Jamison contacted a shark, supposedly Mark Cuban, just to talk shop. My guess would be to talk about what it's like to own a team, turn it around and put butts in seats. During the course of the phone call (or calls?), the Shark suggested that Jamison come on the show, merely as a joke. As the two continued to talk the joke became serious and next thing you know Jamison is standing in an ABC studio presenting the Coyotes to Mark Cuban, Daymond John, Kevin O'Leary, Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec. 

I am guessing it looked much like this from Jamison's point of view. Image taken from here.

Guests are not allowed to talk about their appearance on Shark Tank until the episode airs. My source did not tell me which, if any, of the Sharks invested but in my opinion the only viable one is Mark Cuban. Kevin is not going to invest unless he is guaranteed a big payday. Daymond tends to stick to what he knows (fashion). Barbara is a wild card; she may have invested. Robert is another wild card. He likes tech businesses (obviously) but if he is excited by an idea or product will throw his hat in the ring. Maybe we got a Cuban/Barbara/Robert combo. It's killing me not knowing who invested! 

Screen garab of email I received.

According to ABC the next episode is Friday, February 1 but the description doesn't say anything about a potential NHL owner appearing. The 1st would have been perfect timing with the COG lease deadline of January 31st. 

I guess we sit and wait for the episode to air. 

You Tell Me: Which Shark, or Sharks, do you think is/are most likely to invest in the Coyotes? Will you tune in when the episode airs?

 

Well, that was not exactly how I thought opening weekend would go. I thought for sure we would at least be 1-1, not 0-2. I know, we can't win them all but it was nice to dream we'd go 48-0. 

The home opener against Chicago really displayed a lot of holes. I thought they looked better Saturday against Dallas.

Neither game did they appear to be playing as a team. IN Dallas they at least started to come together and get a rhythm. Against Chicago not so much. Their play was super sloppy. Their passes were terrible. Although I think they ice, in Phoenix, was not very good. The puck was bouncing and taking strange bounces. I would think for players that call it home ice, they should have the advantage.

I think Rundblad needs to play over Schlemko. He looked so much better in Dallas than Schlemko did against Chicago. I think Yandle needs to stop trying so hard, get out of his head and just play. He is starting to remind me too much of Jovo. Yandle has skill and leadership qualities, it just seems like he's over thinking everything.

It's not surprising that there isn't team chemistry yet. There was a week of training camp and no pre-season. You have to expect some growing pains. I don't think this is going to last all season but you also can't sit back and wait for them to get better. There is a sense of urgency to turn it around because of the short season. I believe in Tippett and this team; I just hope the holes (defense, passing, powerplay etc) can be fixed in time to matter. I'm not panicking... yet.

I did learn that interference can be called if you are standing on the ice and a player trys to hit you and they fall down and cry. Seems fair.  

Oh and they dropped the banner. It was kind of a let down. Actually, the whole opening game thing was kind of a let down compared to years past. All the guys just skated out to center ice and were called off, like a roll call. I'm used to strobe lights and fire and skating out of the Coyotes head. Then they were like "oh and here's your banner" Wait for it... wait for it... oh now I see it. Oh, its crooked. I wonder if they know it's all cock-eyed. Oh, there they got it. I tried to get a few pictures but I forgot my regular camera so I used my phone. The jumbotron is in the way. We thought maybe they would go on either side of the flags but I guess they are planning to fill up an entire rafter with banners. I am ok with that.

Your Thoughts: What did you think of opening weekend? Who stood out to you, why? Who could use some and improvement and why? Did you miss any of the opening because the ticket scanners weren't working? That was a nice replica banner we got, wasn't it? 


This is how they did introductions. On opening night.


And here we have the not-straight banner...


Oh, there it is... all straight.

I'm running a bit behind here. Training camps opened on Sunday across the NHL and the Coyotes had their first public practice on Monday. I did attend and took a few pictures (after the jump). Being that it was the first day it is hard to say anyone really stood out or knocked my socks off. I didn't get to see any more so this is all I can go on.

Andy Miele did completely undress Schlemko at one point. Plus he has some speed. A little more time in the AHL and some NHL experience (maybe learning how to win a faceoff) and this kid could be something special. Speaking of Schlem, he just wasn't quite great. I feel if he doesn't step it up and really wow people he could easily be replaced by the multitude of young defensemen waiting in the wings. Plus he shaved off all his facial hair. Hmmm... maybe that was his power source? 

Of course after Monday's practice Maloney trades for Lombardi. I am not sure how I feel about this trade. Lombardi was decent. He is a fast skater. I just wonder about bringing players back. Usually they have left for a reason (not producing, locker room issues etc). I am trying to reserve further judgement until I see what he brings. 

Gone are Adrian Aucoin, Ray Whitney, Gilbert Brule, Taylor Pyatt, Michael Rozival and Daymond Langkow. I can't say I will really miss any of them. New faces include Nick Johnson (sent to AHL), David Moss, Steve Sullivan and a longtime Phoenix fan favorite in Zbynek Michalek. I didn't really notice much from the new guys Monday but it was the first day and I was trying to keep all the new guys straight. 

Michalek is a welcome addition. I don't think anyone, not even Z himself, wanted him to leave. His play wasn't the greatest in Pittsburgh but it wasn't horrible either. I think being back in Phoenix will help him out. I think he will do well here. 

Overall I do not think this team has changed for the worse. I would put them at least equal to last years squad. What would really help is to find a powerplay that clicked. Our special teams coach really needs to figure it out. At least we have graduated from the patented "Gretzky's Dump n Chase". An improved powerplay would certainly make a difference in those tight games. It's either going to make us or break us. Here's to finally finding that winning combination!

We will learn more tonight. Their first game is tonight in Dallas. I will be watching, how about you? 

Alright, I think that is all I have for now. As far as I can tell the Coyotes have narrowed it down to 23 players, keeping up Rundblad for now. It never hurts to carry an extra dman. I feel like we've done this before.

What are your thoughts on training camp? Do you think this roster will do as well as last years, if not better? Who are you looking forward to see play the most? Do you think Lombardi and Michalek were great re-additions? 

Enjoy the few salvageable pictures from Monday. Here is one to peak your interest; the rest will follow after the jump!

Amongst all the rumors floating around, we know one thing for sure. The NHL and NHLPA have finally reached an agreement and there will be organized, professional hockey again soon!

One rumor has the Coyotes home opener being January 19th. Another rumor has a 48 game season. Another has extra teams in the playoffs. It sounds like the schedule will be released Wednesday night after the CBA ratification. And I am hoping the more teams in the playoffs is just a rumor. If you can't make the current (old?) playoffs, then you do not deserve to be in them.

The Coyotes ownership saga is about to come to a close also. The agreement between GJ and CoG has been finalized and signed. The challenged referendum has, or course, fallen way short of the needed signature. Now that the NHL has finalized the CBA they may have some time to focus on a few other matters, including completing the sale of the Coyotes. It is funny to read everything out there on the Coyotes, or at least the headlines. You have some people saying, "Deal is Almost Done" yet others who are still arguing the same old party lines, "GJ has no money!" And most of this is bloggers sensationalizing one Phoenix reporter, who has proven time and time again that his sources are never correct. Maybe he should try finding some new ones? Or doing some digging? Oh wait, that'd be actually doing his job. God forbid!

Aren't rumors fun kids?

And something that is not a rumor, I plan to be much more active and post much more this season. I welcome ideas for stories because I am not much of the pre and post game writer. Although I do enjoy writing about some games. I am also going to try to spruce up the blog a bit. It has had the same info/links since it started, time to freshen it up!

What do you think about the shortened shcedule? Are you glad the nhl is back? Do you think the playoffs should remain as is? Do you enjoy reading all the rumors and miss-reported stories or would you prefer people to actually get the info before reporting? 

Recently my boyfriend and I were discussing the reactions of people to the lockout and it got me thinking. What I say here will probably not be welcomed by some. I admit that compared to some I may have a very unpopular opinion. I think that fans who spend all their time whining about how the lockout is ruining their lives need to gain some perspective. There are a few that I have seen that constantly complain about no hockey (and talk of nothing else) on twitter. This is a small majority. Most people seem to have a grip on reality.

To those few:
Your life isn't over. You most likely do not gain your livelihood from hockey and therefore are not monetarily affected. In fact, if you're a season ticket holder you will end up ahead. Teams are giving you interest on the money you've already paid. For some their income is dependent on hockey games. I have friends who want the season to start as soon as possible so they can work at the arena and earn a paycheck. These are the people that are truly affected by the lockout.

If the lockout truly pissed you off and you want to "stick it" to the NHL or show them how you feel... don't come back when the lockout is over. Do not financially support the NHL. Let your money really speak for you. The owners and players don't care what you bitch about on twitter. Showing up at an empty arena in your jersey on opening night isn't going to help. They care about the bottom line. Did I make money today? This whole lockout is about money. If they get less from the fans they would notice. They will care if the fans leave and don't come back. 

As for myself I am enjoying the extra time. The weather in Phoenix is perfect right now so I am training for a 5K in November. I am meeting friends to have coffee outdoors. I am going to the State Fair for the first time since living in Phoenix. I am watching all those movies I didn't get to see last hockey season. I am planning hiking trips. I am so much more than just a hockey fan. Do I love hockey? Of course but I love so many other things. I am not going to get depressed over not having hockey for a month or two. I am going to enjoy what else life has to offer me. 

And this time I will come back right away. After the 2004 lockout I didn't come back until I moved to Phoenix in 2006. The NHL lost me for two years because I had nothing invested. I lived in Wisconsin, my team was in Philadelphia. I wasn't a season ticket holder. I found other things to keep me busy in 2004 and kept on doing them when hockey came back. Now I have money invested in a team, money that is earning 5% interest. Of course I am not going to let that go.

I also realize what Fehr did for baseball many years ago. He is a smart man and isn't going to waste a season unless it was absolutely necessary for the players he represents. This isn't MLB 1994. This is NHL 2012. There is no need to lose an entire season and both sides know it.

I'll see you at the rink in a month or two. In the mean time, go enjoy life.

The season has been put on hold. And I could really care less. I am not really missing hockey. 

I don't know why I feel this way. Am I no longer a hockey fan? I don't think that is it. If it was here, my butt would be in my seat. Am I jaded? Maybe. Am I tired of the ownership/Greg Jamison issues? Probably.

I have pretty much stopped following the ownership drama. There isn't much I can do about it. I live near Glendale but not in it so my vote/voice doesn't really matter. Although I spend money in Glendale since I live like 5 minutes away. I am tired of reading everyone on twitter flipping out every time a new rumor comes out. Some of the rumors are just ridiculous. I don't get how people think they are real and continue to repeat them.

I was all jazzed up for this season. I was going to get back to writing more regularly for you all, take pictures, cheer the boys on and now... nothing. But I guess I can thank the owners & nhlpa for letting me down. ;)

For some reason I have a feeling it will be over in December or January. I don't know why. I am probably wrong. I am totally not psychic because if I was I would be winning all the powerballs over 100 million and then buying the Coyote myself. ;)

Well since there isn't any NHL hockey, that is all I have for you.

I can tell you about the Cards game I went to last week or the Dbacks game but something tells me you don't care about that. :P 

If I come up with any good ideas to write about or ownership is resolved... I will be back. Until then, be good & carry on. Or something.