The NHL would like to remain in Phoenix but not if it means suffering more heavy losses as a result. There is expected to be a considerable amount of pressure from some Glendale taxpayers who are steadfastly against spending portions of the city’s budget on saving a floundering sports team which has such a small fan base. The NHL most likely welcomes the timing of this vote, because the sooner the fate of the franchise is resolved, the better. The NHL would incur losses over the summer months because they won’t be able to sell very many season tickets because of the uncertainly of the franchises future in Phoenix.

If the NHL does not receive a guarantee that their losses will be covered, then you can expect them to hop on the first jet out of the desert. Possible cities for relocation include the franchise’s former home, Winnipeg Manitoba, Quebec City, Hartford, and Kansas City. Winnipeg is the most logical of these choices because they have a new arena, the MTS centre, which is under six years old and seats 15, 015. The MTS centre would by far be the smallest arena in the NHL, but would be a financially viable option because of the expected sell outs for every game. A 15,000 seat arena that sells out every game would do much better than an 17,000 seat arena which has average attendance records that hover around 10,000, which is the status quo for a few surviving NHL clubs considered to be “stable”.  The 10,000 average attendance figure is being kind to some NHL clubs because many insiders believe the average attendance records to be even lower for some teams. After Winnipeg, Hamilton Ontario is probably the next most logical spot for relocation but do not expect the NHL to even consider it, after the battle they put up last summer trying to keep the Coyotes out of Hamilton.

If the club is relocated, they could be an instant winner somewhere else which makes them even more attractive if the prospect of relocation is explored. Phoenix head coach Dave Tippett is nominated for this seasons Jack Adams trophy awarded to the league’s top coach. In addition to this, Phoenix General Manager Don Maloney is nominated for the NHL’s inaugural GM of the year award, and Coyote’s goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is nominated for the Vezina Trophy awarded to the league’s top goaltender as well. Who knows, the 2010-2011 Coyotes franchise (which would most likely be renamed) could be the next Colorado Avalanche circa 1996. We will find out Tuesday evening if that is a possibility.

Familiar foes are among the finalists, but this year's Hart winner should be a fresh-faced Swede (Dave Kuhn/Flickr).

Alex Ovechkin-One moment encapsulates the impact Ovechkin can have on a game and it did not even take place in an NHL contest.  Jaromir Jagr circled in the neutral zone as the Czech Republic advanced up the ice at the 2010 Olympics.  Ovechkin closed in quickly and destroyed Jagr with a fierce shoulder check, which created a counterattack leading to a game-winning goal for the Russians.

What Ovechkin did for Russia in that moment was precisely what he did all season for the Capitals.  After Chris Clark was traded to Columbus, it was fitting that Ovechkin assumed the captaincy as he did whatever the situation called for all season.  With his boundless energy and skilled improvisation, Ovechkin also excelled in the uncalled for.  At all times, he could resurrect a dead play with an unconventional stick-handle, hit the net from a difficult angle, or level the puck-handler with a vicious check.  Ovechkin draws near to the rarefied air of Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan and the transcendental figures in sport.  Each year, it is more of a challenge to build a case for him than against him and this season the talent surrounding him and the ten games he missed may be the only justifications not to award him a third consecutive Hart Trophy.

Sidney Crosby- Crosby took a cue from Pavel Datsyuk as he rounded out his game to a robust form this season.   Crosby finished just ahead of Datsyuk at 11th in faceoff win percentage, a feat magnified by the fact that Crosby led the league in faceoffs taken as well as faceoffs won by a 137-win margin.  For the fourth time in five seasons, Crosby topped 50 assists, recording 58 helpers.  Oh, yes, the Penguins captain also set a career high by tallying 51 times this season.

Crosby missed 34 games over the past two seasons, but this year missed only one game.  He improved his production at even strength by ten points and added two shorthanded goals over last year’s total for an overall six-point jump.  His defensive play also improved as he went from a +3 to a +15 with no significant change in team scoring.  Crosby, who sat in on penalty killing meetings earlier in his career though he was not assigned to a shorthanded unit, also greeted greater responsibility a man down with alacrity and success.  There was no more complete star in the Eastern Conference and maybe not the entire league than Crosby, who again demonstrated that he has the indefatigable work ethic to match his superhuman talent.

Henrik Sedin- In a season that saw no shortage of inconsistency and injuries, Henrik Sedin was the lone constant for the Northwest champion Canucks.  Even without lifelong linemate Daniel Sedin or stellar play from captain and franchise goalie Roberto Luongo, Sedin produced consistently and lifted the level of his teammates’ play continually.  In the absence of Daniel, Henrik scored at a point-per-game pace and recorded his first career hat trick.  Alongside his twin and his brother from another mother, Alex Burrows,  Sedin darted out to the scoring lead and defended it all the way to the Art Ross Trophy.

While his point total may be gaudy, Sedin has remained an understated star who shunned praise and went only so far as to celebrate his consistency, not his dominance.   Yet Sedin displayed the ability to take over a shift at a level that was seldom surpassed by even Ovechkin and Crosby this season. His vision, determination  and persistence on the puck were regularly on display.  Between games, he cultivated chemistry with his linemates that burgeoned by the day.

Ovechkin’s Capitals were seldom tested as they sprinted to the Presidents Trophy, feasted on a weak division and tyrannized nearly all the U.S. franchises.   Crosby and the Penguins found themselves without Evgeni Malkin at one point and spent much of the second half battling New Jersey for the Atlantic Division title.  For the captain’s part, he did not perform especially well minus Malkin and the Penguins were unable to capture the division title, a loss that  dropped them from second to fourth in the East.

Meanwhile, Henrik Sedin seemed to elevate his game as the stakes escalated all season.  Henrik scored a career-high 29 goals thanks in large part to the nine tallies he posted during the 18-game absence of Daniel.  He also maintained a superb offensive acumen on the road, recording 46 points in 41 road games, including  14 points during an arduous 14-game road swing in which the Canucks went 8-5-1 over the course of the 40 days preceding and succeeding the Olympic break.  Where Washington did not have another playoff team in their division and the Penguins had one major foe atop the Atlantic, the Northwest saw three different first-place teams from December onward.  Henrik scored eleven points in six meetings with Calgary.  After twice being held scoreless by Colorado, Henrik rallied to post eight points in four contests against Colorado.

Sedin’s defensive ability also allowed the Canucks to play their domineering top line and emerging second line at will.  Finally, his durability remained remarkable as he played all 82 games for the fifth straight season.  He has missed just eight games in nine NHL seasons.  Sedin’s consummate effort, timely play, consistency and quiet dominance make him an easy choice for the Hart Trophy this season.  If he has any disadvantage it is only the politics of NHL stardom.  Then again, who wouldn’t want a pair of Swedish twins?

Everyone has a sport record locked in their mind that will live with them forever. Somebody asks a question regarding it; you automatically yell out the player, year, stats and what they accomplished that was so incredible.

For myself, it’s Teemu Selanne’s rookie campaign with the Winnipeg Jets in 1992/1993 which stands on top. Maybe the finest Finn to ever step foot on the ice, Selanne has been as classy a person as his scoring pedigree.

Teemu Selanne remains a threat to goaltenders. (Photo courtesy of Gosh@/ Flikr.)

Rookies aren’t presumed or really meant to dominate however he used determination, speed and an appetite for scoring to guide Winnipeg to a playoff berth. As Teemu blossomed, so did the Jets with No.13 leading the attack.

Murphy’s law reads as: Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. In contrast, it was reversed for Selanne with everything occurring marvellously as if he couldn’t make a mistake with the puck.

That season, the Finnish Flash burned out the red lights with 76 goals, 56 assists for 132 points in 84 games. Previously, Mike Bossy held the accomplishment in tallies, 53, and Peter Stastny’s 109 points were cancelled out as well. Selanne incredibly demolished both by 23 points and describes the experience as you’d expect a 76-goal scorer to; tons of chances.

“I remember every goal that year,” he said. “I remember getting, like, two, three breakaways every game. Nowadays, you get three, four the whole season? That’s pretty good.”

Having set the rookie record for both goals and points convincingly, he became an instant legend to not only Winnipeg’s faithful but the hockey universe capturing the Calder Trophy.

And Selanne did it before the lock-out when grabbing, obstructing and slowing players down was as legal as a stick-check. Which brings us to this question: with the game as opportunistic for forwards to score as it is currently, how secure are Teemu’s numbers? Is a young hot shot waiting for his time to come and capable of eclipsing that total?

I think not. Alexander Ovechkin is the elite goal-scorer of our decade and possibly the best of the best once his career ends. The Russian fired in 52 goals, 54 assists and 106 points while shooting the puck 425 times in 2006; most ever by a rookie and fourth-best among everyone who’s played.

That’s the closest a freshman has flirted with Selanne’s feat and Ovechkin’s 65 goals in 2008 ranks best since 2005 altogether. As for points, Joe Thornton’s 125 four years ago have been the most we’ve seen post lock-out.

If someone is to tackle the record, look for it to be a first-round draft pick somewhere near the middle of the pack because that’s how Selanne did it as the tenth overall choice in 1988. Joining a club that was decent and could make the postseason with another key ingredient, he was put into the perfect position.

While his numbers were incredible, he had some great teammates like Phil Housley, Keith Tkachuk, Alexei Zhamnov and Thomas Steen feeding him the puck. Then, the likes of Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby were thrown onto the scene as rookies to basically shoulder the load automatically.

Yes, they are both superstars but they could’ve used a lot of help in 2006 just as Selanne received. Crosby finished with 44 more points than the remaining Penguins and Ovechkin was 49 points ahead of all Capitals skaters.

With many terrific seasons produced by Teemu, it’s that first one where he was unstoppable that still gathers the most accolade. Until any player reaches 70 goals or 130 points, Selanne doesn’t have to worry about a rookie erasing his historic achievement.

As if he ever did or will. There are no guarantees in life but Selanne hanging onto this piece of history seems like the exception to the rule. By announcing 2010 as his final NHL schedule, we inevitably find ourselves witnessing the conclusion of a legendary career.

There’s another record possibly ahead of him and that’s Jari Kurri’s 601 career goals; the most ever compiled by a Finnish born player. With 588 markers, he is just 14 shy of becoming the highest scoring player to come out of Finland and has 67 games to do it.

It appears as though Teemu Selanne will exit the game of hockey the same way he entered it: on top.

Calder Cup 2009

Hockey isn’t over for all cities in Canada.  It is alive and well in Winnipeg.

The Manitoba Moose have made it to the Calder Cup finals, the AHL’s version of the Stanley Cup, for the first time in franchise history.  And the buzz is significant around Winnipeg.

Add to that the world spotlight being cast on the city by endless NHL talk and the admission by Gary Bettman that Winnipeg is the NHL’s desired destination choice should a team need to relocate.  Not only the Coyotes, but any team.  And there will soon be others in similar situations as Phoenix finds itself in.  As www.JetsOwner.com has long predicted, the NHL will find its way back to where it belongs.  Everything has fallen into place very nicely over the past 6 years and we are in prime position to snatch a relocated franchise, sooner than most would anticipate.  Now, finally, more people are talking as if this former pipe dream can and will happen, where as before, I was a nut case to even suggest such a thing.

Meanwhile, our existing hockey team is about to do battle for the AHL championship to sold out crowds of over 15,000 fans.  Yes, you heard correctly.  Fifteen thousand fans for AHL hockey.  I dare you to reference another time that has happened.  That’s because, despite being June, Winnipeg still breathes hockey 24-7.

And so this next two weeks will not only be about the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, but about the Hershey Bears (Wsh) and hometown Manitoba Moose (Van), who are not surprisingly in the finals being that they held the best record in the AHL regular season with 50 wines and 23 losses for 107 points.

So while the world reads about Winnipeg in the headlines day-in and day-out, they will now see why Winnipeg is in the headlines.  Die hard hockey fans, at any level.

We’re ready here in Winnipeg.  Not only to win the Calder Cup, but to become the loudest and proudest NHL city once again.

Saturday night is Game One here in Winnipeg.  It is sold out with ticket prices ranging from $24-$44, which is the price you can catch NHL hockey for in Phoenix.  That is if you even like hockey, want to drive 40 miles to the rink, and really, really like Wayne Gretzky.

Starting To Date Again

Gary Bettman hasn’t exactly been Winnipeg’s favourite character since his NHL tenure began in 1993.  That’s why it’s so ironic that we may see him in a favourable light as of yesterday.

For the past few years I have been assuring supporters of the Return of the Jets Campaign that Winnipeg was higher on the NHL’s agenda than most, if not all other possible cities with regards to a relocation destination.  (Notice I said relocation, not expansion.  No, expansion will be saved for the Southern Ontario market at an inflated rate).  And that’s if they even believed that a team would come back to Winnipeg at any point in time, ever.

So yesterday’s leak of court documents that contained Gary Bettman’s declaration that “if a team did return to Canada, it would be Winnipeg”, was in many ways a load off my back, and yet one more piece of this puzzle proven to be correct by www.JetsOwner.com.

NHL VP Bill Daly confirmed Bettman’s statement and said he wasn’t surprised by it.  Frankly neither am I.  That’s because Winnipeg has been working behind the scenes on this for longer than most people realize.  We are also taking the correct approach, that being waiting patiently in line at the front door of NHL headquarters rather than trying to (repeatedly) sneak in through the side door.  The NHL is an exclusive club and clubs have rules.  They have a protocol and due process that must be followed.  Jim Balsillie either hasn’t figured this out or enjoys challenging Gary Bettman in his own backyard.  Assuming the enormously successful entrepreneur from Harvard is a very savvy businessman, I’ll go with the latter.

Never-the-less, it is a distraction welcomed by interests in Winnipeg, who as a group will play their cards right and come out on top in the long run.  Manitobans can rejoice that Mr. Balsillie isn’t in our corner because if he was, our name would be mud as well. 

The fact is, the NHL is fully aware of Winnipeg’s potential to be successful now that we have a modern building that would be fully owned and operated by it’s NHL tenant, therefore generating revenue streams necessary to sustain a healthy franchise.  The fans are here, the corporate community is here, the ownership is in place and the arena is ready to roll.  Just print the tickets and they’ll be gone.  Remember, hockey is #1 here with the next popular sport a distant 2nd. 

Right now in Arizona, hockey falls well behind the other three major pro sports, racing and any number of college sports.  The fact is, people would hardly notice if they left town.  A rally today of around 130 people in a restaurant parking lot made up the desire for the Coyotes to stay in the desert.  For those of us who remember being at The Forks in the spring of 1995 along with 35,000 other fans can giggle a little at this.  Will they move to Winnipeg?  My guess is no.  But there will be other teams following suit sooner than most people realize.  The Coyotes will be in a legal mess for a while.  We will watch it play out.

At least we know where the NHL stands, officially finally, with regards to WinterPeg.

I guess all those folks who insist on telling me MTS Centre is too small or that the NHL would never consider Winnipeg as an option can start eating their words.

I’ve spent the better part of 6 years leading people down a path I strongly feel will succeed.  I’m not about to start misleading people now.

Winnipeg is not only an option in the NHL’s mind…it is considered THE option.  Oh how times come full circle.

Still think it can’t happen?

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A Visitor No Sports Team Wants

The NHL won’t speak about it.  It’s too embarrassing.

At a time of the year when the spotlight shines brightest on hockey the last thing the league needs is more dire news headlines to dim the lights.

My guess would be that someone will have to speak about it soon after Lord Stanley has been awarded to its champion. 

The topic is the fact that the operation of one of the NHL’s most struggling teams has been placed in the hands of the league itself.  Unprecedented.  The Phoenix Coyotes have hit rock bottom, unable to pay their bills, make the playoffs, or draw flies.  Now the NHL has put the franchise on life support, covering anything from payroll to lease payments to the city of Glendale.  A real shocker?  Nope.

This last happened in pro sports with the Montreal Expos of MLB.  And we all know what happened to them soon after.  The hard reality of this situation is the bigger picture.  The Cactus Jets are just part of the house of cards that is about fold into itself.  One might think this hopeless situation in Phoenix is exactly what Winnipeg needs to regain (its former) team.  After all, league control may very well mean a reasonable sale price under desperate circumstances and receivership.  I would agree.  But as ironic and Cinderella as that may sound, the fact is the legalities of this mess could drag on for a while.  There is no easy way to up and leave, however it is now inevitable that they will indeed relocate.

Before you cry for the state of Arizona, read through Dan Bickley’s recent column in the Arizona Republic about how little the Coyotes would really be missed.  It is a saturated market full of sporting options that rank far higher than hockey in most people’s minds and that take far less time to travel to.

So if not the Coyotes that Winnipeg preys on, then who?  Well there is still a considerable list of candidates that are in worse shape than Phoenix, only they are managing to pay their debts.  For now.

We are about to embark on a very interesting off-season in 2009.  The mix of bad market and bad economy has finally brought several teams to the brink of collapse and Winnipeg, a good market and far less damaged economy will be there to pick up the pieces.  When the bell tolls, Winnipeg will step up and answer the call.

Our time could be fast approaching.  We’ve waited and we are ready.  We have the arena, the fans, the corporate support and an ownership group well poised to sustain such an investment.  An investment that will mean the world to people in this province and put Winnipeg back on the map again.

Get ready, the NHL could look very different inside of two years.  It’s about time, too.

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