Courtesy of Sports Illustrated:

Gretzky's not great for abandoning his Coyotes

"Despite the 16,000 empty seats at Jobing.com Arena, the most conspicuous absence from Tuesday night's preseason opener in Phoenix was not fan support for the Coyotes.

Among those who couldn't be bothered to show up for the 4-2 win over the Kings was Wayne Gretzky.

The team's coach.

The fans, you can forgive. After months of being yanked through the emotional wringer that is the team's ongoing ownership struggle, they're entitled to staple their wallets shut in not-so-silent protest. But Gretzky's actions are decidedly less noble. Instead of showing up in the face of difficult circumstances and serving as a shield/rallying point for the players, he's chosen the path of self-interest. Which begs the question: If Dany Heatley earns a public flogging for a similar decision, why is Gretzky largely earning a free pass?"

..a harsh point of view - And I'm usually a fan of Muir's writings - But, in spite of the potentially contrarian position he takes, it makes for good reading.

Wayne is beyond set financially for the rest of his next three lives. I have always thought him a class act; I am starting to doubt that....

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

i wouldn't doubt if he wants the team to move to hamilton. or a better market for hockey. if bettman wants a team in phoenix or glendale, you give the people free NHL network, and get them interested in hockey, that goes for any place that is well not your typical hockey place. take an assessment of how much interest there is say through a survey, and then if there is enough interest then consider a team, not just plop a team in the city and say go to the games. Heck if you want the hicks sponsor a nascar driver. get your name and sport out there.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

of course bettman's head is up his ass. if you watch the draft the way he holds himself, it seems like he definitely thinks he's special.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

Bettman is definetly "special...."

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Whoa wait? Short term losses for long term gains? Crazy talk. We need more short term, high risk, high pay out, omfg we need a bailout ponzi schemes now more than ever. The NHL is no exception to this. Start writing off losses as expenses. You can do that legal right? Write off the Coyotes as a business expense...

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All the things we wanted each other to be we'll never be.

I don't blame him, with all the turmoil he has gone through with the team.

Abandon a sinking ship, Phoenix is going nowhere fast, except to another city.

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