Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

St. Louis Blues' Erik Johnson nets winner in OT

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November 20

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Blues have wasted more than their share of top-notch goaltending performances and Thursday night potentially could have been another one to fall into that category. Blues goalie Chris Mason made 34 saves, including a couple in the third period that went straight to the highlight reel, keeping the Blues and the Phoenix Coyotes tied as the game went into overtime. Then 17 seconds into overtime, Blues defenseman Erik Johnson skated coast-to-coast and, from the high slot, ripped a shot between the legs of Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov for a 3-2 overtime triumph. It was a mob scene on the ice, as the victory marked the Blues' first in OT in five attempts this season and their first win over ..."

High note turns into clunker

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November 19

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The deflating sigh inside Xcel Energy Center late Wednesday night had enough timbre to crack the nearby Capitol building windows. After battling all third period for the tying goal, the Wild finally achieved the feat -- a very, very short-lived feat. Only 19 seconds later, before the celebratory fans even had a chance to get settled in their seats again, the Wild served up the go-ahead goal near the end of what coach Todd Richards called the "poorest performance of the year" -- a 3-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes. Scottie Upshall scored the winner with 4 minutes, 39 seconds left, silencing a flabbergasted crowd mere moments after Antti Miettinen ignited the arena with the tying goal. ..."

Coyotes, Wild have new identities

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November 18

Arizona Republic

"Taking in Minnesota Wild games in the past was a lot like watching ice freeze. Most noted for a trapping defense, the Wild were not the most exciting team to watch. Things have changed a bit in the Twin Cities, and the Coyotes will get their first look at the Wild on Wednesday night in the first of back-to-back road games. "They're a team that started out a little bit slow, but they've come on," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "I've watched two or three of their games lately. They've been playing much better as a team. "Just a bit different from the past, they look like they're trying to play maybe a little more up-tempo game. They still have good players, strong goaltending. They're a ..."

Gretzky is enjoying his time off

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November 17

Calgary Sun

"Turns out, Wayne Gretzky is human after all. The NHL legend admitted as much Monday morning at Father David Bauer Arena, just moments before hitting the ice with female hockey star Hayley Wickenheiser and 15 contest-winning kids. "Unfortunately, I'm not going to skate too much. I just had my knee scoped a couple weeks ago," Gretzky said. "I'll be able to get out there, stand around and pass the puck, but ... "I played 21 years and never got hurt and now that I'm retired, playing tennis, I hurt my knee. Tennis is a very physical, demanding sport." You could make the argument hockey has been hard on him lately, too, but the Great One doesn't quite see it that way. Gretzky is without a home ..."

Coyotes spending significant time shorthanded

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November 17

Arizona Republic

"Coyotes defenseman Adrian Aucoin expects to kill penalties, but playing shorthanded is part of the reason why his team has only won two of its past six games and suffered a 4-1 loss Monday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. "We're always prepared to kill penalties," Aucoin said. "But any time, especially in the last few games, it seems we're taking penalties early in the game, and then a bunch of guys don't get as much ice time as they need. I've said it numerous times that we're a group that needs everyone to play well and when you're a man short and only certain guys are getting on the ice, other guys stiffen up and it's really hard to keep a good rotation and keep everybody into the ..."

NHL, Glendale discuss Coyotes' future

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November 17

Arizona Republic

"NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Glendale leaders met Monday to discuss the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes. "The goal of that process is to get an owner in Glendale who's going to keep the team here," Bettman said before Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. "If that wasn't our goal, we wouldn't have done everything we did this summer," he said. The National Hockey League spent $140 million to purchase the Coyotes at auction after former owner Jerry Moyes placed the team into bankruptcy. For six months, the franchise hung in limbo with the possibility another bidder could relocate the team to Canada. The NHL looks to sell the team outside the contentious U.S. Bankruptcy Court ..."

Coyotes can't catch Lightning

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November 17

Arizona Republic

"Some nights, even a good effort goes for naught. Stymied by the loss of a veteran defenseman and a batch of penalties, and facing a red-hot goalie, the Coyotes dropped a 4-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night at Jobing.com Arena in front of an announced crowd of 9,503. "We never had any quit in the game," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "We kept pushing right to the end." The Coyotes (11-9) failed to build on the momentum they gained from their victory Saturday over the Dallas Stars, as they could not solve Lightning goaltender Mike Smith. The Coyotes have lost four of their past six. The Lightning, coached by former Coyotes assistant Rick Tocchet, improved to 8-4-6. ..."

Tampa Bay Lightning beats Phoenix Coyotes behind Mike Smith's sharp return in goal

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November 17

St. Petersburg Times

"Lightning goaltender Mike Smith lunged to his left, glove raised, and the puck hit squarely in the pocket. From the way it looked, Smith had Radim Vrbata's shot all the way. "You know, there's some luck involved when you play this position," Smith said. "It was nice for it to finally go my way." It did in Monday night's 4-1 victory over the Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena. In his first start since Nov. 2, Smith looked like his old self with 30 saves as Tampa Bay (8-4-6) was outshot 31-19; his best coming when the game was still in doubt. There were two saves on Scottie Upshall at the tail end of a two-on-one to protect a 1-0 first-period lead. And there was the dazzler on Vrbata, which ..."

Slumping stars contribute in Bolts' win

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November 17

Tampa Tribune

"Tampa Bay's venture through the desert Monday turned into a night of vindication for some of the Lightning's key components in a 4-1 victory against Phoenix. On the offensive side of the ledger, the Lightning received two goals and an assist from captain Vinny Lecavalier while Alex Tanguay contributed a goal and two assists, as both registered season-highs with three points. Marty St. Louis, meanwhile, ended a lengthy goal-scoring drought with his first since goal in over a month to help lead the offense. At the other end of the ice, goaltender Mike Smith stood tall Monday in his first start in two weeks, a game in Philadelphia on Nov. 2 which he was pulled after allowing five goals on 18 ..."

McCain hopes Coyotes stay in Valley

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November 16

Arizona Republic

"Sen. John McCain, the grand marshal at the NASCAR race Sunday, took a few minutes to express the hope that the Coyotes remain in the Valley. "I'm glad to see the Coyotes won (Saturday), and I hope they can stay," he said. "I hope that the fans will come out. We're going to have to increase the fan base, that's all there is to it. I think winning takes us a long way." McCain smiled as he recalled the earlier days of the Coyotes in the Valley when they regularly went to the playoffs. "I remember when they first came, Keith Tkachuk, Jeremy Roenick, WhiteOut in the desert, playoffs, Roenick with the broken jaw, those were exciting times," McCain said."

Former Dallas Stars coach likes what Coyotes have started

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November 15

Dallas Morning News

"Dave Tippett knows his job won't be an easy one in Phoenix. But he also knows that it's a job that can have a happy ending. The Coyotes are just coming out of bankruptcy court, have a bunch of young players and will probably be on the low end of the payroll scale for a few years to come. Despite these factors, Tippett said he's happy to have taken over the rebuilding team. The former Stars coach, who was fired after last season, has only been on the job since September with the Coyotes, but likes what he sees. "We have a good base and we have some solid veterans and good goaltending, and that's really encouraging," Tippett said. "It's a process, but we feel like we're heading in the ..."

Coyotes take bite out of Habs' blue line

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November 14

Montreal Gazette

"The Canadiens received some good news this week when Ryan O'Byrne joined his teammates for a full practice in Phoenix. O'Byrne has been out since Oct. 3 with a knee injury, but he's hoping that the medical staff will clear him to resume playing Tuesday when the Canadiens are home to the Carolina Hurricanes. That's two weeks ahead of schedule. But the good news was tempered by uncertainty over the health of Jaroslav Spacek. He left the Phoenix game Thursday in the third period because of what was described as a "lower-body" injury. Spacek didn't practise yesterday and head coach Jacques Martin said he wasn't sure whether the veteran defenceman would be available to face the Nashville ..."

Coyotes provide shuttle for East Valley fans

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November 14

Arizona Republic

"The Coyotes Express will pick up and haul Coyotes fans from the East Valley to Jobing.com Arena in Glendale starting next week. The free shuttle includes discount tickets to games. The Phoenix Coyotes, just out of bankruptcy under the league's ownership as it seeks a buyer willing to keep the team in Arizona, are looking for ways to rebuild its fan base. "People talk about geography and that they would like mass transportation," team President Doug Moss said. "Now they have an opportunity to do so." Mesa resident and Coyotes fan Bob Gorski cheered the move, which fans have long suggested. Anything that "eliminates the excuses for people not to come from the East Valley would be ..."

Dallas Stars to face former coach Dave Tippett

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November 14

Dallas Morning News

"Steve Ott said he'll probably be extra nice to Dave Tippett when he skates past the Phoenix Coyotes bench Saturday night. "He's really the only coach I've had at the NHL level before this year, and he's done so much for my career that I definitely will show him the proper amount of respect," said the barb-tongued Stars winger when asked what kind of agitating he might do against his old coach. "But I'll say something to Tip, I'll definitely say something." The man with the second most games coached, second most wins and highest winning percentage in Stars coaching history will be on the other bench for the first time when the Stars meet the Coyotes, and it will be a little strange for ..."

Plekanec shows he's a top-line centre

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November 13

Montreal Gazette

"If there are any questions about Tomas Plekanec's ability to be a top-line centre, he is answering them this year. Plekanec is off to the fastest start of his career and he did a little bit of everything Thursday night as he collected three assists to lead the Canadiens to an impressive 4-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes. "Obviously, it was one of my better games," said Plekanec, who is the Canadiens' leading scorer this season with 17 points. Special-team play was the key to this game and Plekanec was the key on both the power play and the penalty-killing unit. "I had those two breakaways early in the game when we were shorthanded and that gave me confidence," said Plekanec, even though he ..."

Habs hang on to beat Coyotes 4-2

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November 13

Montreal Gazette

"Tomas Plekanec led the way as the Canadiens won the battle of the special teams en route to a 4-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes. When it comes to special teams, the Canadiens have been bottom feeders in the NHL this season, but they were merely perfect Thursday night. Montreal scored on both of its power-play opportunities. And the penalty-killing unit not only killed off the four Phoenix power plays, but it also generated some shorthanded scoring chances. The Canadiens took control of the game in the third period after killing off a penalty to Roman Hamrlik. Montreal native Matthew Lombardi was called for hooking while on the power play and, with the teams playing 4-on-4, Plekanec won a ..."

Glendale officials, NHL's Bettman to meet

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November 13

Arizona Republic

"NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will be in Glendale on Monday to meet with city officials about the Coyotes. It's their first meeting since the NHL purchased the team out of bankruptcy last month. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the meeting is about how to move forward. It is not to open talks on re-working the team's 30-year lease at the city-owned Jobing.com Arena, he said. There's no decision yet whether the NHL would renegotiate the lease with Glendale or leave it to buyers who purchase the team. The NHL has said all along that the lease will need to be re-worked. He called Glendale "allies" who are receptive to changes that don't hinder its ability to pay off the $182 million it ..."

Coyotes blow power play chances

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November 13

Arizona Republic

"The theory is simple: You're on a power play, so act powerful. The Coyotes did not grasp that concept Thursday night - and they were unable to find a good rhythm - and dropped a 4-2 decision to the Montreal Canadiens in front of 10,064 fans at Jobing.com Arena. By contrast, two of the Canadiens' goals came on power plays, and they stymied the Coyotes four times. On the first three, the Coyotes took one shot. "We weren't good enough on the power play," forward Shane Doan said. "It starts with myself. I have to make plays, and I didn't make any, and their guys made plays when they got their chances, and that's the difference." The Canadiens (9-10) scored twice in 1:02 of the final period to ..."

Samuelsson key in Coyotes' transition

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November 12

Arizona Republic

"Coyotes associate coach Ulf Samuelsson couldn't have predicted how the team's ownership situation or the status of Wayne Gretzky as coach would pan out in the off-season, but he always figured there was a chance the team would need him to fulfill a greater role at the start of the season. So when he was called on to lead the players through training camp, it wasn't a task that caught him off guard but a challenge he was ready to meet. "Over the whole summer I was kinda thinking that something like this could happen," Samuelsson said. "So it wasn't something put together over the last week or so. It was something I worked on the whole summer and as we got closer, we got the word from ..."

Ducks continue their winning ways

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November 8

Orange County Register

"Leave it to an embarrassing game at home to snap the Ducks into shape. Not even two weeks have passed since their meltdown against bottom-feeding Toronto,but the Ducks are now enjoying the payoff for the improved play since that game as they defeated the Phoenix Coyotes, 4-3, in front of 15,269 Saturday night at Honda Center. The Ducks (6-7-2) can have some peace of mind as they leave for a four-game trip to the east, although that peace was nearly eviscerated when they tried their best to blow a four-goal lead in the third period. But they survived and have won a modest three of five since that 6-3 loss to the then-winless Maple Leafs, which was their fourth consecutive defeat at home. ..."

Coyotes look to overcome injuries

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November 7

Arizona Republic

"Three defensemen - including the two assistant captains - are out with injuries, and coach Dave Tippett says situations like this can be dealt with through a strong team concept. Ed Jovanovski (lower body) was injured late in Thursday night's win over the Chicago Blackhawks, and his status is day to day. Zbynek Michalek (lower body) and Kurt Sauer (upper body) are listed as week to week. The Coyotes (10-6) reached the 20-point level three weeks sooner than last season, and they'll try to build on their 3-1 win over the Blackhawks against the Ducks (5-7-2) in Anaheim on Saturday night. "We're not the only team in the league with injuries," Tippett said. "It is what it is, and you have to ..."

Coyotes rebound vs. Blackhawks

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November 6

Arizona Republic

"If nothing else, back-to-back subpar efforts did one thing for the Coyotes: It made them angry - and a lot more focused. Peter Mueller scored his first goal of the season, and goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov was outstanding to trigger a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night at Jobing.com Arena in front of 10,362. The victory halted a two-game skid. Aggressive play also returned. Bryzgalov made 31 saves, and the Coyotes shut down six Blackhawks power plays. "An emotional and passioned game," Bryzgalov said. "I think everybody was in tonight, and no passengers on our bus. Everybody did his role, and that's the key to why we won the game. "Our penalty kill was absolutely ..."

Hawks flunk history

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November 6

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Blackhawks owned the Phoenix Coyotes last season, winning all four meetings and outscoring them 13-1 in the last two. That was last year. In the first meeting of this season Thursday night, the Hawks -- showing signs of rust from a five-day break from games and hampered by a feeble power play -- were soundly beaten by the Coyotes 3-1 at Jobing.com Arena. Plagued with financial problems that led to declaring bankruptcy, the Coyotes now are owned by the NHL. They no longer have the legendary Wayne Gretzky as their coach, either. ''But they're a better team -- deeper, balanced,'' Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. ''They've got a mobile defense and good goaltending.'' ''They're a ..."

Chicago Blackhawks surviving early injuries

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November 6

Chicago Tribune

"The Phoenix Coyotes are clearly a different animal this season. The Blackhawks found that out the hard way Thursday night as they took them on for the first time since sweeping them in convincing fashion in four meetings last season. The Coyotes scored the first three goals and handed the Hawks a 3-1 defeat before 10,362 at Jobing.com Arena. During 2008-09, the Hawks outscored the Coyotes 20-4. Thursday night it was Phoenix doing the scoring as it got goals from Martin Hanzal, Peter Mueller and Scottie Upshall to back the solid goaltending of Ilya Bryzgalov (31 saves). The Hawks could manage only Kris Versteeg's short-handed score as the power play continued to misfire, going 0-for-6. The ..."

Coyotes let win slip away vs. Kings

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November 3

Arizona Republic

"A game that a home team should win: leading by two goals with time running out in the second period. It all boiled down to poor execution for the Coyotes on Monday night. They had their 10th win of the season in sight but were not able to maintain momentum in the final period and dropped a 5-3 decision to the Los Angeles Kings in front of 5,855 at Jobing.com Arena. "Tonight, we just weren't very good," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "Right from theof the puck it was disappointing." The Coyotes (9-5) had a three-game winning streak snapped and lost for only the third time in the past 10 games. The Kings, another NHL surprise this season, improved to 9-4-2. Overcoming a ragged first ..."

Kings rally to beat Coyotes, 5-3

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November 3

Los Angeles Times

"Drew Doughty scored the go-ahead goal with 4:51 remaining and the Kings rallied to beat the Phoenix Coyotes, 5-3, on Monday night. Ryan Smyth scored twice, Anze Kopitar had a goal and two assists, and Justin Williams also scored for the Kings, who won for the first time in five games this season when down after two periods. The Kings ended a two-game losing streak. Shane Doan, Martin Hanzal and Scott Upshall scored for the Coyotes, who saw their three-game winning streak ended. Upshall had given Phoenix a 3-1 at 14:44 of the second period, taking a backhand pass from Robert Lang and sliding the puck between Jonathan Quick's pads. But then the Kings stormed back for their first win in three ..."

Judge approves sale of Coyotes to NHL

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November 2

Arizona Republic

"A judge was signing an order Monday morning that will take the Phoenix Coyotes out of bankruptcy. After nearly six months, the NHL purchased the franchise for $140 million. The action had been expected since last week, when team owner Jerry Moyes agreeed to the sale."

Coyotes win chippy affair vs. Ducks

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November 1

Arizona Republic

"At times it was like a brawl on an icy street. Other times it was . . . well, kind of the same thing. Pack mentality evolved into pack hostility. In a game that turned ugly early when Shane Doan was decked by a high hit and got uglier, Radim Vrbata scored the only goal in a shootout, giving the Coyotes a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night in front of 6,495 at Jobing.com Arena. "I thought early on we were very good in the game, and the hit on Shane kind of tweaks your team," coach Dave Tippett said. "Shane's our captain, our guy that's our leader out there, and he takes a hard hit. I thought it affected our team a little bit and rightly so. "They want to avenge that hit. ..."

Coyotes' Upshall works on controlling emotions, energy

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October 31

Arizona Republic

"Scottie Upshall has speed to burn - and sometimes he gets burned by his speed. The Coyotes forward picked up six minutes in penalties against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night, including a double minor for high sticking, and saw only 8:35 of ice time. He was scratched by coach Dave Tippett on Thursday night in St. Louis. Upshall, whose 20 penalty minutes rank second on the team, said he was disappointed with the scratch but added, "Myself, as an energy guy, I've got to really control my energy and my emotions." The Coyotes (8-4) have been doing a lot of things well, but some of the penalties taken by Upshall and others have compromised their productivity, something they will be ..."

Coyotes forward Winnik's confidence up

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October 31

Arizona Republic

"The confidence level of forward Daniel Winnik, who scored the first goal in the Coyotes' 2-0 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night, is at a high level. And with good reason. Winnik, in his third season, had a load of trouble scoring in 2008-09, ending up with only three goals and four assists in 49 games. This year he has scored twice and recorded four assists through 12 games. "I think it (confidence) comes with playing in a comfortable role, and Tip's (coach Dave Tippett) kind of told me and Fidds (center Vernon Fiddler) we'll be penalty-killing, and we've got to be strong defensively and take care of your own end first, and chances are the offensive will come," he said. ..."

Gretzky raises no objection to Coyotes sale

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October 31

Arizona Republic

"Friday morning came and went without any objections filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court against an NHL proposal to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes. On Monday, the case will be back in federal court to review the $140 million deal and seek the blessing of Judge Redfield T. Baum, who has overseen the five-month-long bankruptcy case. The judge could sign off on the deal as early as Monday, paving the way for the Coyotes to get out of bankruptcy under NHL ownership. From there, the league will look to resell to a buyer willing to keep the franchise in the Valley. Going into Friday, the question was whether Coyotes' minority owner and former coach Wayne Gretzky would object to the NHL offer, which ..."

Gretzky deserves better from NHL

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October 30

Arizona Republic

columnist Paola Boivin

"Not even the instincts that made Wayne Gretzky one of hockey's greatest players could have predicted the off-season hits his once-impeccable reputation would take. Now, his relationship with the NHL has taken an ugly turn, just days away from a ruling on the league's proposed purchase of the Coyotes. Shame on you, NHL. It is clear after examining court documents and interviewing parties close to the situation that the league has done a shoddy job of reaching out and communicating with one of the sport's best representatives. Say what you will about Gretzky's performance as a coach or executive - he clearly made mistakes - but his track record as an ambassador of the game demands better. ..."

Blues left shooting blanks

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October 30

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Two areas that were advantages for the Blues last season have proved to be disadvantages in the early part of the 2009-10 season. The Blues built a home-ice advantage at Scottrade Center a year ago, finishing with a record of 23-13-5 in the regular season. They also reached a comfort level on the power play, closing out the season with the eighth-best unit in the NHL. But after 11 games this season, neither the friendly confines nor the extra attacker have been good for the Blues, who saw those trends continue in a 2-0 loss to Phoenix on Thursday. The Blues fell to 1-4 this season at Scottrade Center, where the club's 11-game sellout streak was snapped Thursday with a crowd of 18,087. They ..."

Brewer back in lineup a little early

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October 30

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The progress of Eric Brewer's nerve issue has been so rapid since early September the Blues' defenseman has surprised even those inside the organization. "We were worried," Blues President John Davidson said. "You didn't know if it was going to be another three months, six months, career, whatever ... we just had no idea." The club hinted Monday that Brewer was close to returning, but even with that clue, it was a jolt Thursday when he was inserted into the lineup against Phoenix. After missing 64 regular-season games, he stepped onto the ice 1 minute 40 seconds into Thursday's game and was greeted by applause from the crowd. "I wasn't very nervous," Brewer said. "I've kind of gone over ..."

Ex-Ranger revitalized in Phoenix

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October 27

New York Post

"Ten games into the season including last night's match at the Garden against the Rangers, and not one time has the Coyotes' Petr Prucha been a healthy scratch. "Finally!" Prucha exclaimed before the match, accompanied by a trademark smile as big as the desert. "It's good again." Prucha, who burst onto the Broadway scene in 2005-06 with a 30-goal rookie season, and captivated the Garden crowd with his frenetic style and relentless work ethic, had that smile wiped off his face last season. Tom Renney made Prucha a healthy scratch in 27 of the Rangers' first 38 games and in 36 of the 61 he coached before he was replaced on Feb. 25 by John Tortorella. "It's unbelievable; it's the best ..."

Moyes agrees to sell Coyotes to NHL

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October 27

Arizona Republic

"Five months after filing the team into bankruptcy, owner Jerry Moyes agreed Monday to sell the Phoenix Coyotes to the NHL. The deal, which still must be approved by a federal judge, should pave the way to get the hockey franchise out of U.S. Bankruptcy Court. From there, the National Hockey League will look to resell the team to a buyer willing to keep the team in Glendale. Battling parties, which have argued since Moyes filed the team into bankruptcy May 5, were pushed to find an agreement as the Coyotes continue to lose money. The NHL is funding the Coyotes' operating losses as the team goes through bankruptcy. But the league will get fully repaid out of the $140 million it offered for ..."

Gaborik scores twice, leads New York Rangers in 5-2 romp

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October 27

New York Daily News

"When Marian Gaborik is on his game and having one of those can't-miss nights, he is scary good. When he's limping off to the dressing room before the night is over, it's just plain scary for the Rangers. But on a night when the Rangers could take a deep breath and move on from their three-game skid, it was at least a sigh of relief to see Gaborik walking out of the trainer's room long after their 5-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes was over. That's when he said that what knocked him out of the game had nothing to do with the injuries that have dogged him so relentlessly in the past. "It's nothing related to my groin or hip or torso," Gaborik said "We'll see how everything is in the ..."

Rangers End Their Slump as Coyotes Agree to a Sale

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October 27

New York Times

"The Rangers beat the Phoenix Coyotes, 5-2, on Monday night at Madison Square Garden, winning for the first time in four games as Marian Gaborik scored twice to gain a share of the league goal-scoring lead. The night may prove to be significant for Phoenix. The bankrupt Coyotes seemed to move one step closer to staying in the Phoenix area under new ownership. In federal bankruptcy court in Phoenix, where a possible move to Southern Ontario was among the possibilities during contentious proceedings throughout the summer, the Coyotes' owner, Jerry Moyes, agreed to sell the club to the N.H.L., which has the last bid still on the table."

Ex-goalie Burke assisting in hockey revival

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October 23

Arizona Republic

"Sean Burke has lost a hockey team before. It hurts. It feels like a slap shot off the ankle, a hard check into the boards. He's doing his best to make sure it never happens again. Long a fan favorite in Phoenix, Burke now is the Coyotes' goaltending coach. He is managing and tutoring Ilya Bryzgalov, an eclectic Russian who is off to a great start in 2009-10. After rediscovering his career in Phoenix, Burke is making his mystical presence felt all over again. "I think that I can help," said Burke, who spent 19 years in the NHL. "And to me, that's what coaching is all about. If you can have an impact, if you can help a player see some results, if you can help them get to the next level, ..."

Hanzal's line comes up big late for Coyotes

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October 23

Arizona Republic

"When the Coyotes face a star-studded team like the Detroit Red Wings, center Martin Hanzal knows his job will be to shadow the likes of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. But that doesn't mean his line forgets about generating an offensive attack. "When you play in their zone and just forecheck, it's kinda defense too because you play in their zone and they don't have a chance to score," Hanzal explained. "So if you can lock them up in their zone, it's good too." That's exactly what Hanzal and linemates Petr Prucha and Radim Vbrata accomplished when Prucha heaved the puck through a scramble in front of the net with less than three minutes left in the third period, tying the game at two ..."

Coyotes rally, top Red Wings in OT

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October 23

Arizona Republic

"The battle in the crease in front of Detroit Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood was intense. And the winner was Petr Prucha. The Coyotes forward, holding his own in the scrum, hammered away at the puck and pushed it into the net to tie the score with 2:40 left in the third period and propel the Coyotes to a stunning, 3-2 overtime victory over the Red Wings on Thursday night in front of 11,938 at Jobing.com Arena. Defenseman Adrian Aucoin slammed in the game-winner with 3:03 left in overtime, as his shot from the top of the circle handcuffed Osgood and the puck ricocheted in off his upper body. "We haven't been producing too many points . . . and I hope this goal can help us in the future," ..."

Ex-Wing Robert Lang enjoying the desert

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October 23

Detroit Free Press

"Since leaving the Red Wings after the 2006-07 season, Robert Lang has made a home in Chicago and Montreal. Now he's a six-hour drive from his off-season home in San Diego, centering the top line for Phoenix between Shane Doan and Taylor Pyatt and helping the Coyotes to a surprising 5-2 start. "It's always nice to get off to a good start, especially here," Lang said this morning after Phoenix's skate at Jobing.com Arena. "Nobody really expected anything, but Dave Tippett came here and put in simple but pretty effective system in. Guys just want to play and so far it's been working, so it's been fun. It's kind of nice to get off to a good start and just feel good and just play hockey." Lang, ..."

Wings fall in Arizona

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October 23

Detroit Free Press

"The Red Wings saw Chris Osgood get pushed around, and from there, the ending was the same old story: A good, solid effort, and just one point to pocket. Playing before an announced crowd of 11,938 in the 17,999-capacity Jobing.com Arena Thursday night, a late 2-1 lead slipped away into a 3-2 overtime loss to the Coyotes. It's the second straight game the Wings have surrendered a one-goal in the last three minutes to end up losing. This one, though, sat especially badly: The Wings played very well for most of the second and third period, and they felt the Coyotes took liberties when they piled into Detroit's net and ended up with Petr Prucha's goal at 17:20 of the third period. "I thought ..."

Coyotes rally past Wings

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October 23

Detroit News

"Once again, the Red Wings did just about everything right -- except win. "It's just so frustrating because we've played pretty good the last couple of games and haven't been rewarded for it," goaltender Chris Osgood said Thursday night, after the Wings gave up the lead with 2:40 left and were beaten in overtime by the Phoenix Coyotes, 3-2. "Everybody feels real good. It's just one of those times in the season where we aren't getting any breaks." It was the Coyotes' fourth straight win, the Wings' third straight road loss and the second straight game they coughed up the lead in the final 2½ minutes. "We were set up to win the game and we ended up shooting ourselves in the foot and costing ..."

Tippett fuels Coyotes 'Miracle'

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October 22

East Valley Tribune

columnist Scott Bordow

"When Phoenix Coyotes general manager Don Maloney went to the grocery store this summer, the checkout aisle took on a whole new meaning. "You'd have a Coyotes shirt on and people are saying, 'You guys are leaving, right?' " Maloney said Wednesday. "I was surprised so many people thought we already had left town and packed our bags." Nope. The Coyotes are still here. Not only that, they've won three straight games and, at 5-2, are the early-season surprise of the NHL heading into Thursday's game against the Detroit Red Wings at Jobing.com Arena. Will it last? Who knows. But given the chaos and uncertainty that still engulfs this franchise, Phoenix's success the first two weeks of the season ..."

Coyotes defense pushing fast start

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October 17

Arizona Republic

"The Coyotes are getting better by degrees. They're fresh off a come-from-behind 3-2 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues and take a 4-2 record and the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference into Saturday night's game against Boston at Jobing.com Arena. It has been a solid defense that has been the impetus for the fast start. The Coyotes have allowed only nine goals, fewest in the West. "We just want to go in and play another solid game," coach Dave Tippett said. "We're still in a situation where we're still getting better. I think we can get a lot better than we were (Thursday night), and hopefully we can get better again. "There's a lot of things to work on . . . there are things ..."

Coyotes set for Morris, Bruins

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October 17

Arizona Republic

"Derek Morris knew the "old" Coyotes. As an alternate captain who spent almost four years in Phoenix before being dealt at the trade deadline last season to the New York Rangers, Morris went through a lot of tough times as the team tried and failed to reach the postseason. The "new" Coyotes impress Morris, now with the Bruins, and he'll get the chance to battle his old teammates Saturday night at Jobing.com Arena. "They just look like a new team," said Morris, who has watched the Coyotes' games on television. "A fresh team, an exciting team. I wish them all the best - except for when we play them." The Bruins, who entered Friday night's game in Dallas with a 2-3 record, are led by Morris' ..."

Tippett has high hopes for Boedker

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October 16

Arizona Republic

"Forward Mikkel Boedker was the latest youngster to be reassigned to the San Antonio Rampage, and the Coyotes want him to profit from more playing time. "He's a great player, he's a great skater, a kid that still has some lessons to learn about playing in the league," coach Dave Tippett said. "If he's going to play six or eight minutes, he's better off down there playing the penalty kill, playing the power play." Boedker, 19, was a first-round draft pick (eighth overall) in 2008 and played in 78 games in his rookie season, with 11 goals and 28 points. He appeared in all five games this season. Tippett said Boedker has the potential to be a top-six forward, but "he's got to do the things ..."

Hearing to ensure NHL's bid is sufficient

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October 16

Arizona Republic

"The Coyotes will be back in court later this month to discuss what it will take to sell the team to the National Hockey League and get it out of bankruptcy. From there, at least one potential buyer, Ice Edge Holdings, is waiting in the wings. A hearing on Oct. 26 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court is the first courtroom movement since a judge two weeks ago rejected both bids for the franchise. The judge tossed Canadian Jim Balsillie's offer and told the National Hockey League it would need to tweak its bid to satisfy the court. Since then, attorneys representing the team's unsecured creditors have been working with the NHL to revise its bid so the team can be sold and creditors paid. A court filing ..."

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