Odd Man Out

Who's in?

Qualifying offers made to --

• Matt Jones
• Al Montoya
• Daniel Carcillo
• Alexei Kaigodorov - (I think this is mostly out of spite...)
  
• Brian McGrattan
• Joel Perrault
  

Who's out?

• Assistant Coach Rick Tocchet - Because apparently this is THE year to run out on the team who waited for you to take your place in it's ranks. :P (Yes, I am well aware that this is a mutual decision and no hard feelings are in place towards Toc.)
• Mathias Tjarnqvist
  
• Bill Thomas
  
• Marcel Hossa
• Mike York - Was gone to a far corner of the universe a few weeks back but I didn't care enough to post about it.

Who else is there?

• Craig Weller - Was offered a contract, it's anyone's guess where this one will go.

Rookies (Babies)

Oh, my dear children... you've come so far. All the way to the top of a mountain, as it were.

Rookie camp has officially ended... it's all uphill (or downhill for some) from here. Some will make it to the big club this year and some won't... some we'll never hear from again... some might even ditch us last minute when we try to make a deal!! Let's hope not, though, I daresay we've had enough of that lately. :)

See you soon my dear babies, enjoy your short time "off".

Tjarnqvist

Looks like we're losing out on another Swede this year as Mathias Tjarnqvist seems to become a free agent on July 1st. I figured this after a talk (that I mostly listened in on) with Don Maloney early this morning. Too bad, too. He's a hell of a penalty killer. Good luck out there Tjarny, we'll be seeing ya!

Follow The Yellow Brick Road

I've been leaning towards the goofball side with the blog lately and while that's all well and good (it sates my appetite for the inane), I thought I could use a bit of reality in here to balance things out.

I was at Rookie Camp this morning, ahem... Prospect Development Camp and I mentioned something to a friend of mine that we decided would make an excellent blog topic - our management.

Here's the lowdown: The Coyotes had awful management for years, it was really the only thing we knew. Then, the great and powerful wizard came in (here's to you Don Maloney!), gave the cowardly lion courage, the scarecrow- some brains, the tinman- a heart and sent little Dorothy home on a hot-air balloon (or tried to). Not so many months later I am sitting in the Polar Ice Den watching my babies skate around and around and I am struck, once again, by how quickly we've come up.

Yes, I must admit that a lot of these babies are Barnett's doing and he may have done as good of a job as Maloney (I kind of doubt it) but the fact is that DM is here and we have a plethora of kids to pick from. For once in [I don't know how many] years, we have too many (quality) players and not enough spots. In the grand scheme of things, it's a fantastic problem to have.

Now, back to my main point - Don Maloney (GM) is standing behind me along with Brad Treliving (Assisstant GM) and down the row a bit is Doug Moss (President/COO). It strikes me then, when Monique (fellow hockey blogger) approached Don with 2 pages worth of questions to ask, he doesn't blow her off as most would but stands around talking and answering all her questions. Our boys in management are so available to us. We have all sorts of opportunities to mingle with the big-wigs, so to speak. We can get our questions answered, whether by phone call, email or in person.

Flashback to the draft party for a minute when Jeff Shumway (CEO) was in attendance and stood talking to some fans for awhile. I'm not sure how other teams work but I'm fairly certain that they don't have the same sort of opportunities that we have as far as getting more personal with both players and staff.

I'm sure there's a reason for this - they want to keep us happy. We're not a Canadian team, there's not a waiting list for season tickets, etc. However, those of us who DO care show up to every damn event there is. We do things our own way to get the Coyotes' name into the community and we are damn proud of how well our boys are doing. Far better than any of you expected, I'm sure.

Regardless of whatever else we may or may not have here in Phoenix, we have a management team who cares enough to listen to our likes/dislikes (and actually DO something about them) and a team who shows up every night to make sure we stay entertained.

Stick to the path Dorothy, those flying monkeys don't stand a chance!

Conference Call

This is going to be a very interesting phone call ladies and gents, it may or may not get graphic (let's hope for the former). I just want to warn you ahead of time in case your children are watching in.

I scheduled our most recent interview before the 2008 Draft and being the kind soul that he is, Keith Ballard has agreed to do the interview regardless of his status. He does, however, have one stipulation: that we conference in Nick Boynton so that he can get his side of the story out as well. I am on hold as we speak - let's cross our fingers, shall we?


KB - Hello?
TCL - Keith? Can you hear me?
KB - Yeah, we can hear you.
NB - Umph.
TCL - Was that a grunt of acceptance I heard from you Nicky?
NB - Piss off. I just got sent to f*(&ing Florida. How would you feel?
TCL - Er... like I finally have a chance to go to the beach and work on my tan?
NB - Yeah, it's all sunshine and butterflies; my team threw me away. I worked my ass off for them this past year. I helped whip the rookies into shape and now the little bastards have replaced me.
TCL - I honestly don't know what to tell you brother.
NB - Maybe you can explain to me why Morris gets to stay and I don't? Why not trade him?
TCL - Well... I actually have an answer for that.
NB - Let's hear it princess!
TCL - Calm down, pal. I don't have to like you anymore, you're not on my team. Technically you're the enemy. However, I do have your answer -- if they were to trade Derek Morris, who would attend all the fan events during the summer? Plus, he's actually pretty damn good, have you watched the guy lately? I mean...
NB - What is this? The I-Heart-DMo-Hour?
TCL - Nick. Nick-Nick-Nick. EVERY hour is the "I-Heart-DMo-Hour" around here.
NB - Whatever. Ok, well say I understand about Morris, why the f*&( do they keep Yandle and Jonesy?
TCL - I have an answer for that as well. Because they can still scare them into getting off their asses and doing something. They're babies Nicky, they still have fear of the organization. You don't.
NB - Harumph.


TCL - What?
KB - I think he hung up.
TCL - Really? I didn't even get to be mean yet.
KB - Jesus, how mean did you plan to get?
TCL - Oh, honey. I planned to tell him that the real reason he was traded was because we needed a legitimate scoring threat more than we needed another mediocre defenseman. I just didn't have a chance to get there.
KB - Dang.
TCL - So, this interview is taking a little bit of a turn because I had originally planned to ask how you felt about the picks and how you planned to help them grow as players thus creating a better, more well-rounded Coyotes team.
KB - Mmmhmm.
TCL - I can't ask you that now, can I?
KB - You probably could but it wouldn't be 100% accurate or helpful.
TCL - We try to stay away from accurate and helpful here at True Coyote Love. That's beside the point. Keith, if you had a chance to say one thing to the Coyotes management at this very moment, what would it be?
KB - I'd tell them that they'll be sorry and that they lost the best defenseman they had.
TCL - Strong words. Some would disagree with you. Some would say that Zbynek Michalek is infinitely better than you.
KB - Sure, Z's okay... but does he have the hipcheck? I don't think so. No one can rock the butt like me. Now it's gone.
TCL - Your butt?
KB - No. I mean now I will be using it against the Coyotes instead of FOR them.
TCL - I see... I was worried about that. Tell me, just between us, who is your first target among the Coyotes? I know there has to be someone you've been dying to flip over your back.


KB - Honestly? I think I'm going for Turris. Not because I have anything against the kid but because he's so tiny he'll go flipping through the air like he was hit by a bus.
TCL - Hey now! Kyle Turris is our favorite pet project here at TCL, don't go breaking him before we get to see his full potential!
KB - I won't hurt him much.
TCL - You know, you might want to be careful about that now. We just acquired Brian McGrattan from the Sens today- did you hear about that?
KB - Er... no. McGrattan?
TCL - Yep. The heavyweight. Methinks his whole job here is to keep goons away from Turris and the rest of the babies.
KB - I might be able to take him.
TCL - Keith, baby, don't make us laugh.
KB - I might!
TCL - Right. Moving on. You just got married or are getting married this summer. What does the Mrs. think about this whole moving to Florida thing?
KB - To be honest with you, I don't think she really cares one way or the other where I play.
TCL - Do you?
KB - Care where I play? Um... a couple weeks ago I might have said yes. At this point I just want to play hockey, it's what I love.
TCL - And there you have it folks. Straight from the horse's mouth! All you need is love. <3

Rookie Camp

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes will hold a Prospect Development Camp June 24-28 at Desert Schools Coyotes Center in Peoria. All sessions will be free and open to the public. A full schedule of practice times is listed below:

Tuesday, June 24th

9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at DSCC Peoria

Wednesday, June 25th

9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at DSCC Peoria

Friday, June 27th

9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at DSCC Peoria

Saturday, June 28th

9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at DSCC Peoria

Twenty seven (27) of the Coyotes’ top prospects are expected to attend the camp including forward Mikkel Boedker, the Coyotes’ top draft choice (8th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Former draft selections Kyle Turris, Kevin Porter and Brett MacLean will also attend. The camp will provide players with NHL coaching and instruction in both on- and off-ice workout sessions. The camp will also focus on conditioning, strength, power and agility training fundamentals, high speed skill development, and nutrition.

The coaching staff for the 2008 Phoenix Coyotes Prospect Development Camp will include San Antonio Rampage (AHL) Head Coach Greg Ireland, Assistant Coach Ray Edwards, Coyotes’ Director of Prospect Development Sean Burke, Conditioning Coordinator Mike Bahn and Power Skating Coach Mark Ciaccio.

The following is a list of players who will be attending the camp:

PLAYER POSITION: 2007-08 CLUB

Joel Gistedt Goaltender Frolunda (Sweden)

Josh Tordjman Goaltender San Antonio (AHL)

Scott Darling Goaltender Indiana (USHL)

Kyle Turris Center Wisconsin (WCHA)/Phoenix (NHL)

Josh Lunden Center Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA)

Ben Ferriero Center Boston College (HE)

Colin Long Center Kelowna (WHL)

Adam Perry Left Wing London/Belleville (OHL)

Brett MacLean Left Wing Oshawa (OHL)

Chris Summers Left Wing Michigan (CCHA)

Kevin Porter Left Wing Michigan (CCHA)/San Antonio (AHL)

Mikkel Boedker Left Wing Kitchener (OHL)

Pat Brosnihan Right Wing Yale (Ivy League)

Victor Tikhonov Right Wing Cherepovets (Russia)

Jared Staal Right Wing Sudbury (OHL)

Brett Hextall Right Wing Penticton (BCHL)

Chad Kolarik Right Wing Michigan (CCHA)/San Antonio (AHL)

Chris Frank Defenseman Western Michigan (CCHA)

Nick Ross Defenseman Regina/Kamloops (WHL)/San Antonio (AHL)

Juha Uotila Defenseman Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA)

Jonas Ahnelov Defenseman Frolunda (Sweden)

Sean Sullivan Defenseman Arizona (CHL)/San Antonio (AHL)

Dylan Reese Defenseman San Antonio (AHL)

David Schlemko Defenseman Arizona (CHL)/San Antonio (AHL)

Maxim Goncharov Defenseman Moscow (Russia)

Mathieu Brodeur Defenseman Cape Breton (QMJHL)

Tim Billingsley Defenseman Mississauga-St. Mike’s (OHL)

Draft Party 2008

So here's the thing, I am sitting here on a red leather couch that's currently sticking to my bum (thankyouverymuch) and waiting for the draft to begin. The Coyotes have the 8th overall pick and; I believe; 4 in the second round. Aren't we stoked??

Yes, we truly are.

This is my professional opinion on the whole situation - there's a bazillion people here for the Yotes. I'm so proud. Also, people who watch horse races are extremely angry people. There's an old guy sitting across from me whose every word is "Move you son-of-a-bitch!! Fuckin' shit!" It would be funny if I wasn't trying to hear the pre-draft coverage...

Jerk.

Stay tuned.

Update - Mueller & morris just showed up to sign autographs. Muells chopped his hair off. It looks good. :)

Draft is finally starting.

King Cammy just got traded to the Flames (my second love). I can deal with that.

4:19 -- Olli Jokinen to Phx for Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton and our 49 th pick. More opinions and observations to come later, my fingers are numb.

Number 1 pick - Steve Stamkos to Tampa Bay. Duh. Who couldn't have called that?

4:29 -- Second pick - Drew Doughty. Go Kings, I love him. He's great.

4:39 -- 3rd pick - Zach Bogosian to the Thrashers. He's cute... that's not what it's all about, sure... but he's cute.

4:49 -- 4th pick - Alex Pietrangelo to the Blues.

4:59 -- 5th pick - (still in talks...) NYI trade 5th to TOR for #7 and optionally #60 this year and 3rd round next year or #68 this year and 2nd round pick next year. Eek... figure that out if you will.

5th pick - Luke Schenn to Toronto.

5:11 -- 6th pick to Columbus (bitches, we wanted the Russian). Nikita Filatov.

5:17 -- Our new radio affiliate - Xtra Sports 910 - is broadcasting live from the Upper Deck Sports Grill (where I am as I type this) and they keep bringing up the Ballard/Boynton trade... not cute.

5:22 -- 7th pick to Nashville -- Colin Wilson. I hate Nashville.

5:24 -- 8th pick is ours and the group is pissed off because they've stolen all the players we wanted most.

Who are we pickin??? Will eight be great??

I'm holding my breath bitches.

Go Gretz, go!! I love that he just got a standing ovation. My coach rocks.

Mikkel Boedker it is. Everyone in this bar has just been spared their lives. Apparently he's been given the nickname among the consorts as "The Great Dane" Catchy eh?

5:34 -- 9th pick to NYI. Josh Bailey.

I don't care anymore at this point. I may or may not speak anymore tonight.

Bye Kapanen!

I've been slacking on the blog front (again) but I thought I'd pop in to let those of you who may not already know that Niko Kapanen won't be back with us next year as he's signed with a team in Russia.

Bye Kapi! Good luck!

Blake Wheeler

"In a way we think Wheeler has set himself up for failure [...] When you boil everything down, we see Wheeler as a soft, weak-skating, over-hyped prospect who really; unless his defense is very good; had best be a scoring wizard otherwise his stay in the NHL just might not be very long."

Ouch.

I really want to stick up for Blake. I want to be the lone voice in the crowd saying that he's justified in his decision. Unfortunately, I think it was a bad move. Coyotes fans are calling for blood. They hope he never sees the NHL; that his career ends before it begins; in short, they want to see him fail.

It sucks but he made his bed... you all know the saying. Let's see how he works it now. Good luck sucker Blake. You're going to need it. Oh! And you might want to ask to be benched when you play us... the masses are bribing Dan Carcillo with food, tattoos and sexual favors to lay you out. Plus, you'll probably get boo'd more than Jeremy Roenick... you don't want that pressure/hatred at 21.