BeerGuyJordan

This is a league that was happy at 21 teams for a substantial run. I'm not sure if that factors into it much. That said, in theory, 36 isn't that much more of a burden, when compared to 32. The NHL is a more gate-driven league than the others, and the past two expansions have been almost exclusively positive experiences for the existing owners. I think they'll keep expanding until they are given what they see as a reason not to.

The TCC management has already said they'd be interested in filling the vacancy, since they spent the money to get the space up to AHL standards from 2016 to 2018. I don't know that the attendance numbers in Tucson are good enough to attract even the ECHL. The only reason it made sense was because the Coyotes owned them and wanted the proximity. I live in Tucson. As much as I'd love to have a team, I'm not blind to the reality. I mean, dominoes in the minors is part of the lay of the land, especially when you consider SPHL and FPHL. Jim Balsillie came close to relocating the Predators to Hamilton back in like the early 2010's. He wasn't as close as he believed, and started operating as if it were a done deal. That passed off the league and killed the deal. I'm not certain he would have gotten it done even if he hadn't shot himself in the foot, but given the fact that the Isles debacle seemed to teach the League almost nothing, who knows?

Not sure about the veracity, but these are some interesting wrinkles, if true. https://www.sportico.com/leagues/hockey/2024/coyotes-name-logo-to-remain-phoenix-while-team-relocates-1234775204/amp/?fbclid=IwAR3rb58VKlQoHMAZYcIcCDoKbYeJVUiUe3uTznKzD_-8QQ7txb-wYl1UzhY_aem_ATCdnQRzDWmv8wEj0YN8zTTvSk-epp54TVEDG6Qh7DdFhX7Y_JfQROUub82WDBulaNY

They can rebrand and still have a kachina in use. Their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, have a Kachina alternate. Move them to the Phoenix market, call them the Phoenix Roadrunners, and use that full-time. WHA nostalgia bros and kachina fans would both be happy.

Well, it was nice having hockey in Tucson while it lasted, but as soon as the Tempe location fell through, I kind of expected this. They'll move the Roadrunners to Phoenix, adopt the kachina full-time, and call it a day. There's no way they give the Knights time to poach the market. It's still attractive as an AHL location.

You mean the PWHPA players, who were actually the smaller pool, when compared to the PHF ones. And they can push all they want. At the end of the day, business decisions are a league decision. They have the money, and it's their money on the line. The buck stops there. Players don't always know what's best for the league or the sport, just their portion, which is significant but hardly the whole. If this is the best this leadership can do, honestly the best, how is it in any way so far superior to the PHF?

They've announced they're expanding it to all three games this weekend. As grateful as I am for even having hockey in Tucson, I am so disappointed with the Roadrunners lack of fun specialty jerseys, especially when I see the Firebirds killing it.

The Pride, Whitecaps, Riveters, and Force died to make way for these atrocities. I really want to root for the PWHL, and hoped when they killed the PHF that it was to make way for a better vision for the women's game. It feels like this league is one step forward, two steps back for women's hockey. If the PWHL wants to tout itself as a professional, top-tier product, it should really start acting like it.

Because they appear to be trying to out bad business the NHL, at this point?

Unless I'm mistaken, it's just pitches that'd move away from human calls. They'd still have humans to do the rest.

They're my wife's team. After all the times I've seen them get mercilessly shellacked, I'm fine with it. Especially when it's Chicago on the receiving end. They showed no mercy to anyone during their dominance in the early to mid 10's.

The one caveat to that stance I would offer is the home viewing. Their video quality the last season on ESPN+ was better than most AHL teams, and better that what the Coyotes have since Bally fell through and you have to watch them on Laff. Not sure how many other NHL teams are in that boat. Them taking advantage of Arizona's arena mess and having their final there last season was inspired. They got access to NHL quality media infrastructure at an affordable price for their first nationally televised game. Don't get me wrong, I really want this league to work, I just can't understand paying what they did to not take advantage of what they could. It's bad business, and setting my personal attachments aside doesn't instill confidence in their ability to not run this sport's umpteenth league into the ground.

I've been following since day one. The PHF was far from perfect, and had some really questionable moves: the Rivs playing in a mall, the Force being homeless their first season, communication between league management and the teams, etc. That said, there are more than a couple big successes in their wins column. Their ESPN+ deal was a huge plus. And provided the first reliably watchable seasons yet for thise not able to get to games. Fan engagement was great, but that's not something the league itself should get credit for, as the teams were doing the heavy lifting. They were making real headway in sponsorship and salary, and their inroads with Euro and Asian players could have been a major asset to the PWHL. Their identities were beloved by the fanbases in most of their markets. The Rivs were just great. The Whitecaps weren't the best, but they had more than 20 years of tradition and brand recognition. Killing them feels idiotic. I wasn't a huge fan of the Pride identity, but the locals seemed to love it. The Six were a bad idea executed well, and the Force were serviceable, but I don't have strong feelings about letting them go. ESPN was reportedly happy with their championship telecast numbers and the rumor was they had agreed to air a best of three series next season. There are a lot of areas where the new league is zero sum compared to the old, but there are a lot of foundations already laid they could have built on as well. Womens sports have a hard enough time gaining traction. The PWHL wants to kill the PHF so badly that they're cutting off their nose to spite their face. The sport, its players, and the fans deserve better. Salient point, but as I understand it, some level of discussion had been ongoing ever since the split and they always fell apart. Carey and the rest deserve the vitriol they are getting for blindsided everyone with the execution. Not explaining the negotiations every step of the way and planning on actually playing next season isn't where I'm upset.

Well

Fantastic design! I'd hate to see them pare Peyote down to just the head as a full-time look, but either of these as an alternate would be a solid move.