Phoenix Coyotes Hockey on AZ Vibe

GLENDALE-The Coyotes have announced that they have signed journeyman center Bracken Kearns to a one year $550,000 two way contract.

If anything, this is a bottom 6 depth signing for the San Antonio Rampage as he’s the type of player that has the gift of hockey smarts, great character, and a great work ethic.  Three things that fit well in the Coyotes system.

Last season with the American Hockey League (AHL) Rockford Ice Hogs, Kearns scored 51 points (15 goals and 36 assists) which was second on the team in scoring.

GLENDALE-The Phoenix Coyotes announced today that they have re-signed Alexandre Picard to a one year deal worth $868,219. A former first round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets (8th overall selection in the 2004 draft) Picard has yet to showcase his skills at the NHL level.

The scouting report on Alexandre Picard is that he’s a big physical player who has lots of skill. However, Picard has never been able to translate that into NHL game skills during his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It’s tough to say at this point if Picard is another talented prospect that the Blue Jackets mishandled (see Gilbert Brule) in the five years he’s been in the league. It’s clear by the Blue Jackets trading Picard to the Coyotes that they were done with seeing if he can become a solid contributor to their club.

It should be noted that in the 16 games he has played in the Coyotes organization (with the San Antonio Rampage) he tallied 15 points (9 goals and 6 assists).

The Coyotes are clearly going to give Picard all the chances to see if he can be a regular contributor to the organization more than likely betting on the fact that the Blue Jackets mishandled his development.

In case you haven’t heard by now, one of the best reasons to be on Twitter when it comes to following NHL players was taken away Wednesday. Phoenix Coyotes Forward Paul Bissonnette’s Twitter account (Twitter handle – paulbiznasty) went dead Wednesday after a derogatory Tweet was posted and aimed towards Free Agent Forward Ilya Kovalchuk.

Instead of summing up the events Wednesday, check out the original article from Pro Hockey Talk’s website written by James O’Brien.

As much as I love the trash talking by Bissonnette he crossed the line with his derogatory comments about Kovalchuk. It doesn’t matter if Kovalchuk and his lack of a bonified NHL skill set is going to become grossly overpaid by either the Kings or the Devils.  Nor does it matter that Kovalchuk’s contract will indeed become a Yashin-esque weight around the neck of whatever franchise signs him (It will. It is going to happen at this point in time).

No, the problem here is what he Tweeted was more than likely something that’s normally said on the ice but was taken into the public realm.

The problem is when trash talking moves off the ice and into a bigger realm like on Twitter, different rules apply. The spirit of the trash talking is the same. However, the execution of the trash talking in the public realm must be done without personal attacks as Bissonnette did in this case.

I agree with Justin Bourne’s Tweet in the Pro Hockey Talk article in the sense that Bissonnette’s attitude is exactly the kind of thing the NHL needs to market themselves better. Bissonnette’s Twitter account was quickly becoming a very popular destination for not just Coyote fans but NHL fans themselves. Bissonnette brought a human and personal face of not only an NHL player but it gave NHL fans a glimpse into an pro athlete’s life.  A life that was free of canned comments and other pre-rehearsed answers that are normally found in the day to day workings of a professional sports team during a regular season.

NHL fans LOVE this kind of stuff!

Based on past experiences with other players around the league who have done somewhat similar things as Bissonnette did with his Tweets, one can more than likely conclude that the Phoenix Coyotes not only made Bissonnette aware of his mistake but probably made him shut down his Twitter account as well.

If this is indeed the case, it’s the wrong course of action for the Coyotes to take.

Don’t get me wrong, what Bissonnette said was wrong in reference to his personal attack on Ilya Kovalchuk.

However, making him pull the plug on his Twitter account (if that is indeed the case) is not the correct solution to this situation. What needs to be done is to have members of the Coyotes front office along with the Coyotes PR staff sit down with Bissonnette and give him a crash course in what is and is not acceptable for NHL players to say publicly via Twitter. I’m not talking about heavy censorship or micromanagement but just educate him that personal attacks via social media are not acceptable. A personal apology to Ilya Kovalchuk might be in order as well….then again, probably not.  Settling it on the ice is probably the best way to go about it.

It’s fortunate that, in this case, one of the huge drawbacks of  Coyotes coverage in the greater Phoenix area is the the lack of media available to cover the team at this time of year.

Why?

This drawback has turned into a huge bonus for the Coyotes. Had this been an NHL market like Vancouver, Montreal, or even Toronto this incident would have easily been in the headlines for days and the Coyotes would have been put under huge media scrutiny like Vancouver Canucks Defenseman Shane O’Brien has over the past few seasons.

In this market, stories and situations like these are going to blow over very, very quickly due to the lack of local media attention on the Phoenix Coyotes in the off-season.

Now, where to move forward from here….

Sadly, Phoenix Coyotes fans have probably seen the last of ‘paulbiznasty’ on Twitter.   If this is the case it would be a HUGE mistake for the team and the NHL.  In a short amount of time Paul Bissonnette has become one of the best people to follow on Twitter.  He’s been growing a great grassroots base of fans from across the NHL.

Look at a few examples of the feedback from NHL and non NHL people about how they love his tweets:

Actor/Comedian Tom Green:

http://twitter.com/tomgreenlive/statuses/18392217467

@PaulBizNasty Let’s do it! I’m on tour so we will have to find a good time when I am back in LA. Yes. Everybody follow @PaulBizNasty

Mike Commodore of the Blue Jackets

http://twitter.com/commie22/status/16356783131

By the way @PaulBizNasty is Paul Bissonette from the Coyotes…new on twitter. Help him out. Good guy.

Bob McKenzie of TSN:

http://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/18492998430

@PaulBizNasty rapidly becoming one of faves on Twitter.

The Coyotes have been getting free publicity and exposure from his Tweets leading up to his Kovalchuk Tweet.

Let me say this again with more clarity.

THE COYOTES HAVE BEEN GETTING FREE PUBLICITY FROM BISSONNETTE’S TWEETS.

FREE.

Money may be tight with the team but shutting down his Twitter account is not something the Coyotes can afford now can they?  To keep this account shut down would be a practice in idiocy and an EXTREMELY poor business practice.

Now is not the time to shut his account down. Let him re-open it and continue doing his thing. What’s the worse thing that can happen?  More people wanting to come to Phoenix Coyotes games at home and on the road?

GLENDALE – Over the past week, the Phoenix Coyotes began filling in the holes in their lineup due to players who left via free agency, who had their contracts bought out, or signed via free agency. Now I’m quite sure that the Coyotes aren’t done with filling the holes in their roster yet. Let’s take a look at a summary of the what the Coyotes did this past week to fill their roster spots:

(Cap numbers courtesy of Capgeek.com)

F – Ray Whitney – 2 year/$6 million dollar contract ($3 million a year) – Acquired Via Free Agency – I spent some considerable time looking over Whitney’s play over the past couple of years (Via NHL Gamecenter) to see what exactly he brings to the table and how it can help the Phoenix Coyotes. Simply put, Ray Whitney is the complete offensive package. He has incredible vision of the ice, can make plays (and score goals) out of nothing, play the point, has a great shot, and isn’t afraid to go to the net. Add to that his playoff and Stanley Cup experience (Whitney won the 2006 Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes defeating the Edmonton Oilers in seven games) and you have one hell of a signing for the Coyotes.

D – Derek Morris – 4 Year/$11 million dollar contract ($2.75 million a year) – Re-signed via Free Agency
D – Sami Lepisto – 1 Year/$800,000 contract – Re-signed as a restricted free agent

Two solid signings to help shore up the Coyotes defensive depth. The loss of Zbynek Michalek to the Penguins hurts the overall depth of the Coyotes but it’s not something that can be overcome via free agency. There’s still time to shore up the defensive depth of the Coyotes but as of now, the Coyotes are in better shape than people think.

G – Al Montoya – 1 Year/$750,000 contract – Re-Signed – It’s uncertain where Montoya fits in Coyotes GM Don Maloney’s master plan as the Coyotes have many goalies in their system at this moment in time. It’s looking more and more like Montoya and Matt Climie (below) will be the goaltending tandem in San Antonio to start the season. However, when it comes to the big picture, it’s uncertain if Montoya is being groomed for the Coyotes down the road or if he’s just a depth signing for those ‘just in case’ scenarios.

C – Andrew Ebbett – 1 Year/$500,000 Contract – Signed via free agency – This looks more like a 3rd or 4th line depth signing at center for the Coyotes as Ebbett doesn’t really have the tools to be a top 6 player in the NHL. He’s fast and has the tools to be successful but up to this point in his career, he hasn’t shown it in the NHL. Granted, Ebbett did spend time last season injured first with a concussion and then with a finger injury.

D – Nolan Yonkman – 1 Year/$550,000 contract – Could be a darkhorse to make the Coyotes roster this season. Having signed with the Coyotes because they offered more money and opportunity than the Nashville Predators (who reportedly wanted to keep him to help younger players develop) Yonkman will have the opportunity to not only help the other players in San Antonio to develop into NHL players but may have the opportunity to battle for a bottom 3 defensive spot on the Coyotes roster. Yonkman is a great character signing based on the community work he did with the Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators AHL affiliate).

RW – Mathieu Beaudoin -1 year/$500,000 contract
D – Garrett Stafford – 2 year/$1.2 million dollar contract ($600,000 per year)
G – Matt Climie – 1 year/$750,000 contract

These three players are lumped together as they are casualties of the Dallas Stars financial and organizational problems. These three players were key components of the Stars AHL affiliate Texas Stars run to the Calder Cup finals this past season. Given their ages (26, 30, and 27 respectively) these players look to be more of an overall organizational depth signing for the Coyotes than anything. Beaudoin and Stafford might get the opportunity to battle for one of the Coyotes roster spots this season. However, they chances are they all will probably be sent to San Antonio to help out what was one of the worst teams in the AHL last season.

GLENDALE – Following the first day of NHL Free Agency signing on Thursday, Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney was available to the media via conference call to discuss the days transactions. Among the topics discussed….Kurt Sauer, Matthew Lombardi’s contract demands, and other interesting facts and info that Coyotes fans will enjoy.

Conference Call Part 1

Conference Call Part 2

Thanks to the World Cup going on at the same time as the conference call my Twitter app on my Blackberry decided to hang my entire phone so I lost part of the call. However, I was able to pick up a great question about Matthew Lombardi’s contract demands. (Only about a minute or so was lost from the conference call)

GLENDALE – The Phoenix Coyotes announced yesterday that they had completed a trade with the Edmonton Oilers where 30 year old Coyotes defenseman Jim Vandermeer was sent to the Oilers in exchange for 25 year old Forward Patrick O’Sullivan. In addition the Coyotes bought out O’Sullivan’s contract once the trade with the Oilers was completed.

It seems like a dumb deal when you gloss over the details, right?

For one, Vandermeer’s and O’Sullivan’s contracts, if they played this season were almost identical. Both had one year left on their contract and Patrick O’Sullivan would have made $2.388 million this season and Jim Vandermeer would have made $2.300 million.

So why was this deal made you ask?

The deal was made not because of the roster needs for the Coyotes. The Phoenix Coyotes saved over a million dollars buying out O’Sullivan’s contract instead of Vandermeer’s.

If the deal wasn’t made with Edmonton, Jim Vandermeer’s contract buyout would have cost the Coyotes $1.53 million over 1 year and the salary cap hit for the Coyotes would have been $766,667 a year for 2 years.

O’Sullivan’s contract buyout was $795,583 spread over two season (Approximately $397,792 per year). O’Sullivan’s Salary Cap hit this season will be $935,417 and $397,917 next season.

O’Sullivan’s contract buyout saved the Coyotes over a million dollars this season. Money they can now use to sign free agents today.

The difference in the in the contract buyout price was the age of the two players according to the CBA. Vandermeer’s contract would have been paid over one year and O’Sullivan’s will be paid over two years.

A Very Smart move by Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney…..very smart.

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Coyotes announced today the long rumored signing of forward Wojetk Wolski to a two year contract worth $3.8 million dollars per season.

Last year Wolski scored new career high in numerous categories playing for Colorado and Phoenix:

Goals – 23
Assists – 42
Points – 65
Games – 80
Plus/minus – +21

This is a great signing by the Coyotes as the team will need a scoring forward with Wolski’s talent going into next season. “We are very excited to sign Wojtek to a new contract,” said Phoenix Coyotes General Manger Maloney said in a statement. “He is a talented offensive player who performed extremely well for us last season down the stretch and led our team in goals during the playoffs. He will be a key contributor for the Coyotes going forward as he enters the prime of his career.”

As previously stated, signing a scoring forward is exactly what the Coyotes need. However, the Coyotes will need to address scoring depth this season as that was one of the main reasons for the Coyotes inability to move out of the first round of the 2010 NHL playoffs.

Los Angeles – The Toronto Sun reported this morning that the NHL ‘expects the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to be completed by the start of the 2010-2011 regular season. According to the Sun article, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that he briefed the Board of Governors as to the status of the sale of the Coyotes to the Ice Edge Holdings group.

The Phoenix Coyotes have re-signed veteran forward Taylor Pyatt to a Two year two million dollar contract. The contract will pay Pyatt 800,000 in the first season and ($1.2 million dollars the next season) Last season with the Coyotes Pyatt (also his first with the club), registered 23 points (12 goals and 11 assists) and 39 penalty minutes with the club along with two points in their post season series with the Detroit Red Wings (1 goal and 1 assist). In two previous seasons with the Vancouver Canucks Pyatt registered 37 points per season.

As for the signing and the amount of money in the contract?

This is a good deal for both Pyatt and the Coyotes. This season is going to be a deciding factor for Taylor Pyatt as fans are going to see which direction he’s going to take with his NHL career. Will his career go up or down in the scoring department? As seen last season, Pyatt will be given the opportunity to show what he’s got on the ice. Pyatt has the skills to fill just about every role on the Coyotes except for goaltender. If he wants to be a scoring forward, he has the skills to do it. If he wants to be a checking force on the ice, he’s got the skills to do it.

Coyotes GM Don Maloney signed Pyatt to a great deal as the Coyotes have got a solid character player with a potential that is practically limitless.

Wow there’s a TON of Coyotes and NHL news that’s been going on recently, let’s get to it!

Coyotes massage therapist passes

Our sincerest condolences to the family of Jukka Mieminen who was the long-time trainer of the Phoenix Coyotes. From what I have been reading in the news he was a valued and loved member of the Phoenix Coyotes family.

Coyotes at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft

We’re working on a Draft article which should be out in a few days. Until then here’s a reminder for you all….the Coyotes have the following picks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles – Two firsts, a second round pick, a fourth round pick and a fifth round pick.

The first round of the 2010 NHL Draft will be shown live on Versus/TSN/RDS on Friday June 25th from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The Second through seventh round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft will be shown live on the NHL Network on Saturday June 26th starting at 10 AM.

Coyotes to host NHL Draft Party

Speaking of the 2010 Entry Draft, once again the Coyotes will be hosting a NHL Draft Viewing party at Santisi Brothers Pizzeria and Sports Grill. (2710 West Bell Road – Phoenix) The fun will take place on June 25th from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Coyotes announce 2010-2011 Pre-Season Schedule

The Coyotes have released their 2010-2011 Pre-Season Schedule. As you can note below, there are only two pre-season games before the Coyotes head off to Europe to kick off the season.

September 21, 2010 Anaheim Ducks Honda Center 7:00 p.m.
September 23, 2010 *Los Angeles Kings Jobing.com Arena 7:00 p.m.
September 23, 2010 *Los Angeles Kings STAPLES Center 7:30 p.m.
September 25, 2010 *San Jose Sharks Jobing.com Arena 7:00 p.m.
September 25, 2010 *San Jose Sharks HP Pavilion 7:30 p.m.
September 28, 2010 Calgary Flames Pengrowth Saddledome 7:00 p.m.
September 29, 2010 Edmonton Oilers Rexall Place 7:00 p.m.
October, 6, 2010 Dinamo Riga (KHL) Arena Riga (Latvia) TBD

The Coyotes 2010-2011 regular season schedule will be released on June 22nd.

NHL Network to re-broadcast Stanley Cup Finals

The NHL Network will be dedicating a full day to re-broadcasting the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals on June 19th. All six games will be re-broadcast for fans to re-capture the magic of the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks battle for Lord Stanley’s cup. The programming will include the Blackhawks Stanley Cup Parade at 7:00 PM Pacific Time.

Here’s the full programming schedule for June 19th (All times below Eastern):
9:00 a.m. 2010 Stanley Cup Final Game 1
11:00 a.m. 2010 Stanley Cup Final Game 2
1:00 p.m. 2010 Stanley Cup Final Game 3
3:00 p.m. 2010 Stanley Cup Final Game 4
5:00 p.m. 2010 Stanley Cup Final Game 5
7:00 p.m. 2010 Stanley Cup Final Game 6
9:00 p.m. NHL On The Fly Awards Preview
10:00 p.m. Blackhawks Stanley Cup Parade

2010 Hockey Hall of Fame Class to be announced Tuesday

The NHL and the Hockey Hall of Fame have called a press conference on June 22nd where they will announce the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2010 inductees. Keep an eye on our AZ Vibe Sports Twitter account that afternoon for the announcements as they happen.

Coyotes connected players invited to USA Hockey’s National Junior Evaluation Camp

Coyotes 2009 second round draft pick, Chris Brown has been invited to USA Hockey’s National Junior Evaluation Camp which will take place in Lake Placid, New York from July 30th to August 7th.

Also invited to the Evaluation Camp is the son of Coyotes Assistant Coach Ulf Sammuelsson, Philip who hails from Scottsdale.

The Evaluation Camp serves as a player audition for the US Junior National Team that will take part in the 2011 World Junior Championship in Buffalo, New York from December 26th 2010 to January 5th 2011.

http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_04_01_06&ID=288572

Coyotes hire new scout

The Coyotes have brought Jeff Twohey as an amateur scout. Twohey spent the last 30 years with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Seventeen of those 30 years Twohey has served as the Petes General Manager.

Bissonnette on Twitter

For those of you Coyotes fans that use Twitter, Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette has joined the Twitterverse!

Follow along at:

http://twitter.com/PaulBizNasty

Coyotes players re-up with new contracts

- The Coyotes have re-signed the following players:
D – David Schlemko – Terms not disclosed
LW – Ryan Hollweg – Terms not disclosed
LW – Scottie Upshall – One year Deal – Amount of contract not disclosed
D – Adrian Aucoin – Two Year Deal – Amount of contract not disclosed