So, it appears that the front runner to house the NHL Arizona Coyotes franchise has been revealed. It is none other than Tempe, Arizona. The ASU hockey team was elevated to the NCAA level recently, and was invited by the Arizona Coyotes to play four games at Gila River arena, giving it the much deserved exposure needed for success.

They currently call Oceanside arena their home, and it is not near the size of an NHL size rink, and doesn't allow the team the exposure it needs to progress its fan-base.

The two sides have a good relationship, and it makes perfect sense to team them up in the same facility. 

The Catch

It will take at least three years to construct a new arena, and the Coyotes have this season and next season left on their Gila River arena lease -- unless the city of Glendale does the logical thing (for once) and acts to keep the team as long as they can. They may act defiant once more, and tell the Coyotes to find another home. The team needs to have a contingency plan ready if that does go down.

And the Options Are...

There are a couple of options with which they can resolve that issue. They could always go back to now newly renamed Talking Stick arena where the Phoenix Suns currently play NBA basketball. Or, they could renovate the ancient Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which stands as unlikely for many reasons. Pumping money into the state fair grounds structure would be costly, and there is really nothing around that area for fans to stop for a pre-game bite or refreshment. That's not cost efficient by any means.

The Gila River arena has everything EXCEPT the location going for it, and the East valley has the fans, and the disposable income which doesn't seem to be the case in Glendale.

For once, the city of Glendale needs to step up and allow the Coyotes to stay an additional year so the franchise can work on constructing a new arena, which should increase their fan-base.

What Then, Glendale?

The city of Glendale will realize, sooner than later, that they have shot themselves in the foot by their actions and mis-treatment of the NHL club. The Westgate entertainment district may become a ghost-town of restaurants, bars, and gift shops with no customers. Other than the Arizona Cardinals football fans frequenting the area for just 8-10 games a year, or an infrequent concert event, they will not have a tenant in the Gila River arena worthy enough to keep those establishments in the black. 

They made their bed, and now they must sleep in it. This writer has two words for them -- GOOD LUCK !

Why is This Important?

Because the team is starting to improve. They were predicted by most "experts" to be dead last this season, and be in line for another high draft choice.

Well, that has NOT happened. At the All-Star break, they had a respectable 24-20-5 record good for third place in their division, and in a playoff position. Mostly due to the dazzling play of their young rookies like Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, and goaltender Louis Domingue.

If they can get more fans out to games (they are currently third from the bottom in NHL attendance), coupled with their much improved play, hockey fever may just catch on -- and fans will flock to the new arena.

Add in the factor that the team has built a gold mine of prospects who will be playing in the NHL in the next two-three seasons...or sooner. Their top draft choice and third overall pick, Dylan Strome is tearing up the Ontario Hockey League with 24 goals, 46 assists and 70 points in only 34 games. He is fourth in the league in scoring, and has a 2.06 points per game average. Not bad.

Then, you have another prospect by the name of Christian Dvorak who is second in the OHL scoring race with an amazing 37 goals, 47 assists for 84 points in 38 games. He outduels Strome with a 2.21 points per game average.

Christian Fischer comes in 12th in scoring with 22 goals, 37 assists for 59 points in 47 games. 

Finally, Ryan MacInnis is right behind Fischer with 25 goals, 33 assists and 58 points in 40 games.

The Arizona Coyotes will have an exciting, offensive machine if these prospects do as well as Domi, Duclair and Domingue (killer D's) have shown, thus far this season. If they can nail down their defensive lapses (GM Don Maloney has been working on that), they will have a decent shot to be an elite team within three seasons.

Gee, that just happens to be when this prospective new arena will be completed...see a plan here hockey fans?