NHL | A breath of fresh air for former Coyotes

(Quebec) Is there, in the modern history of hockey, or even professional sport in general, a more sudden turnaround than the one experienced by the Arizona Coyotes?

On April 16, the team played its last game in history. Two days later, the National Hockey League made its move to Salt Lake City official. A few more weeks passed, and general manager Bill Armstrong, finally taking advantage of some serious financial resources to improve his team, went on the attack. He acquired defensemen Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino in quick succession on the trade market, in addition to adding Ian Cole, who was signed as a free agent.

At the beginning of October, a new life will begin in Utah for the defunct Coyotes – who do not yet have a name. This transition has obviously meant a logistical storm for the players and club staff who made the jump from Tempe to Salt Lake City. But after the storm will blow a breath of fresh air that already feels good.

“It’s exciting!” Sean Durzi spontaneously exclaimed last week in front of a few journalists. The defenceman was in Quebec City to take part in the Sun Life Pro-Am, a charity event held at the Videotron Centre. This former Los Angeles Kings player, along with his former teammates Drew Doughty and Quinton Byfield, accepted Phillip Danault’s invitation to play a friendly game that raised some $500,000 for four local foundations.

The regime change is indeed draconian. For years, Arizona had kept budgets to a minimum. The Coyotes had become experts at acquiring injured players to artificially inflate their payroll. To name a few: Chris Pronger, Marian Hossa, Shea Weber, Jakub Voracek and Bryan Little were all members of the Coyotes without ever playing a single game for them. Year after year, salaries were liquidated at the trade deadline. The cycle continued, with no end in sight.

In Utah, owners Ryan and Ashley Smith have loosened the purse strings. Durzi can attest to that, having signed a four-year contract on June 30 that will earn him a total of $24 million. A well-deserved reward for someone who was the Coyotes’ undisputed general on defense last season.

He obviously applauds the reinforcement that arrives at his position, but not only because of the quality of the players on the ice. He is especially happy to see “proven winners” arrive.

In this regard, he of course mentions Sergachev, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but also Cole. The latter, without dragging around the aura of a big star, has systematically found himself in strong teams over the last decade. With the result that he has, to date, played 129 playoff games. He too has won two Cups.

“They’ll have a huge impact,” Durzi predicted. “These guys bring leadership and composure, especially in high-pressure situations. It’s huge for us to add players who have won championships. It’s so important for a team…”

“We do this together”

This optimism, however, does not come without a certain level of chaos.

Every player who is traded or signed to a new organization usually speaks to the tumultuous days and weeks that accompany that change. So imagine an entire team, all at once.

The new members of the Utah club thus made numerous visits to Salt Lake City during the summer to shop for a house, find a school for their children or simply get used to their adopted environment.

“Challenges” are inevitable, especially for those who are a little older and have been established in Arizona for a long time and who must uproot their families. But in general, everything seems to go well.

“We all do this together, it’s pretty cool,” Durzi says.

What also contributes to the enthusiasm is the feeling of being wanted. By the club’s owners, obviously, but also by the fans.

Less than a week after the Coyotes’ move was finalized, the Delta Center, the team’s home, was packed for a hurried event to welcome and introduce the club’s future players to the public. Tens of thousands of people have already placed deposits to purchase season tickets. The frenzy is evident.

“It’s happening fast,” Durzi says. “But I couldn’t be more excited!”

We certainly don’t hear that often in Arizona…