Raise The Banner

Friday, January 18, 2013

The Coyotes season officially opens away at the Dallas Stars. We will all gratefully watch it, but for die hard Coyotes fans the season starts on Sunday, January 20 at home against the Chicago Blackhawks. Because the Coyotes knocked the Hawks out of the playoffs last season, there’s a revenge factor for the Hawks, especially considering the Raffi Torres hit on Hossa is still sticking in their craw. If all their players have returned from rehab, the Hawks promise to be a strong team as usual.

By this time next year there won’t be any reason to discuss politics, leases, budgets or anything but hockey in a Coyotes conversation. That horizon is closer every day.

Pacific Division Champions

Before the puck drops on Sunday, everybody in attendance will witness the Pacific Division Championship banner being raised at Jobing.com. Coyotes fans are constantly chirped by fans of other teams with more of a history of success, we don’t care. This banner raising comes DESPITE long years of bankruptcy and political strife. The banner comes DESPITE traditional hockey press ignoring the Coyotes as contenders even after the wins were piling up.

Once the dust settles, people will eventually realize that the past years for the Coyotes are a story to be celebrated. One of, if not THE, best coaches in the league and GM Don Maloney managed to produce a winning team against ridiculous odds. Add in Captain Shane Doan and the story is like one of those sports books you might have read as a kid.

Is it a Stanley Cup banner? No. One step at a time.

Raffi Factor

Raffi is still serving his suspension and won’t be on the ice against the Hawks until the next time the play in this shortened season. During the playoffs, the Blackhawks team (including cheap shotter Dan Carcillo), Chicago media and Hawks fans overreacted in spectacular fashion, prompting Coyotes GM Don Maloney to remark “You would think Raffi murdered a bus load of children the way he’s portrayed here in Chicago.”

So, if any Coyotes fans wish to remind the Hawks and their fans of this overreaction and, perhaps, annoy them off their game a little, the following “Raffi Head” is available to print since it was so popular during last year’s playoffs. I’m aware people believe it’s in poor taste, considering Hossa was hurt, and I see their point. However, the overreaction and subsequent chirping has also been in poor taste, so there’s that. A full page shot of Raffi emblazoned with “public enemy number one” is in excellent taste I suppose.

Print on heavy stock if possible, cut off waste, attach to a paint stirrer stick, repeat as needed. Deploy as desired, such as during warmups, behind the Hawks bench, at the penalty box, the possibilities are endless. Share with friends. Click here to download.

Ownership Blues

It appears likely that we will go into Sunday’s game with the NHL still owning the team. If that ends up being the case, it will be a personal disappointment. That said, there is no reason to believe that there is ANY problem getting everything finished in advance of the January 31 deadline to consummate all the parts of the Coyotes sale.

Even without the official closing happening in time for the home opener, it is imminent. Despite rumors of missing investors, lacking money, etc. ALL of the pieces are in place for the sale to be completed. So what is the hangup now? I have no clue, but my worry meter is pegged nearly at zero.

See you at the rink!