Phoenix Coyotes: Despite On-Ice Success, Uncertainty Remains While Quebec Waits

The sands of time are rapidly slipping through the hour-glass of the Coyotes future.

As has been the case ever since Bettman, Inc. annexed the franchise, there are three sides to the story:

1. The Canadian media, who has made it no secret that they'd like Phoenix to fail so that another franchise can be established north of the border.

2. The league side, wherein the commissioner makes it eternally clear that franchises will only be moved—exhibit A, Atlanta—out of utter necessity.

3. Behind the-scenes moves that nobody but insiders know about.

This much is clear: an Arizona sugar daddy must come forward, and soon, if the Coyotes are to remain in Glendale. Because of secrecy involved, its hard to say with any certainty whether that's already happened.

If it hasn’t, and the league has given up on Phoenix, negotiations may now be secretly underway to move the Yotes to either Quebec City or Seattle.

One way or the other, news on this front should surface relatively soon.

A more detailed account on the ins and outs of the Coyotes and their future was recently written by Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic:

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The Coyotes' chemistry has to be among the best in the NHL. Offensive shortcomings have been addressed by a scoring-by-committee approach. Depth remains an issue, but the willingness of players to accept their roles has helped that problem.

Throw in consistently good goaltending from Smith, and the Coyotes suddenly are the buzz in league circles.

This combination is a great framework to build a strong fan base.

When stability comes to this franchise and fans know they have a permanent resident in town, they'll respond.

For now, they remain skeptical.

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Boivin's point: if the franchise had some ownership stability, and the team had success, the fans would come. 

Thats a lot of IF's.