Arizona Coyotes fans got good news last week when Alex Meruelo closed on his purchase of the franchise, which is expected to remain in Arizona. The new owner still must figure out how to get a new arena for the team.
Matt Layman of Arizona Sports 98.7 notes five takeaways from Meruelo's press conference last week, including his desire to win. However, perhaps the most interesting fact is that Meruelo is known for buying failed businesses and making them viable again.
While Arizona isn’t a failing franchise, the team has been losing money. Meruelo might be the perfect owner to take over a franchise that many feel cannot survive at its current location, hence the rumors the team will eventually make its way to Houston.
“At the end of the day, whether you’re flipping pizzas or you’re hitting hockey pucks, it’s a business and it must be treated as one,” Meruelo said. “Hockey is a sport, but it’s also a business. I’ve had a lot experience growing businesses and turning them around. For 40 years I’ve been doing this. I’ve had a lot of success. I’ve got good people that I work with that I consider to be my team and my family and that makes me who I am today.”
There is more to report from the Pacific Division:
- The Calgary Flames may have $7.76M in projected cap room remaining, but with Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane still unsigned, the team will be forced to offload a contract to bring bavk both forwards, especially Tkachuk. While there has been plenty of talk of Calgary trading away a defenseman such as T.J. Brodie or Travis Hamonic, The Athletic’s Kent Wilson writes that another option would be Michael Frolik. The middle-six forward is 31 and coming off a 16-goal season, which might make him more palatable than many of the veteran free-agent options remaining on the market.
- Frolik has one year remaining at $4.3M. Wilson suggests Ottawa might make a good fit. The Senators are way under the cap, but Frolik will actually be paid $3M in salary despite his cap hit number, something the budget-focused Senators appreciate. The scribe adds the New Jersey Devils, Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers as alternative options for Calgary as possible trade partners.
- Sportsnet’s Luke Fox writes that new Flames goaltender Cam Talbot hopes to prove his value to his new team. Talbot, who signed on to be a veteran backup to David Rittich, struggled in his final two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers before being moved at the trade deadline. Talbot had hoped a trade to Philadelphia would be the reset of his career. However, Talbot played just three-plus games with Philadelphia as the backup to Carter Hart.
- Now in Calgary, Talbot said hewants to be more than just a backup to Rittich and hopes to split time with him evenly. “(Rittich) played extremely well last year and kinda took that spot and earned his right to battle for it. I’m going in. I want to complement him,” says Talbot.
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