Carolina Hurricanes Morning News: Coyotes are Staying Put, Marcus Johansson Contract, and Las Vegas Team Name
By Brett Finger
It’s the dog days of summer, and it has been a quiet one for the Carolina Hurricanes as we near the end of July. There is still a lot that can happen between now and when the puck drops to start the regular season in October.
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There is plenty of expansion news, relocation talk, and potential contracts in the works. Let’s take a look at today’s news.
The Coyotes Aren’t Going Anywhere… Yet
According to Fox Sports Arizona, Glendale City Council voted unanimously (7-0) in approval of a two-year lease and management agreement for the Gila River Arena with the Arizona Coyotes, thus securing the short-term safety of the state’s professional hockey team.
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This is a short term agreement with the arena, but a question arises when the deal is over, where will this team play?
There are many options for the team, of course there is relocation, which is something that no one really wants to happen. Coyotes management has rumored to be interested in building another arena in the Valley area.
Other options include sharing an arena with the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and getting help from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, a group that has shown interest in building an arena for the team.
Arizona Coyotes president and part-owner Anthony LeBlanc has said that the team will exercise all options before considering relocation.
Thankfully for the Coyotes and their fanbase, the team will have at least 2 more years to figure out the future of the franchise. However, don’t expect the relocation rumors to go away any time soon.
Marcus Johansson to Go to Arbitration?
The Washington Capitals locked down goalie Braden Holtby to a long-term deal earlier in the week before his scheduled arbitration. Can the Caps pull off the same deal with forward Marcus Johansson?
Johansson and the Capitals have an arbitration hearing scheduled for this upcoming Wednesday, in which a third-party arbitrator will determine the restricted free agent’s new deal based off previous stats and proposed offers from either side.
The Capitals have $4.2 million available in salary cap, and Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington thinks that all that money could be given to Johansson in arbitration, assuming a deal doesn’t get done between now and then.
Gormley says that there is a big difference between Holtby’s situation and Johansson’s situation. The Caps wanted long-term security on their star goalie, while the team would prefer a short-term deal with a player like Marcus Johansson.
Johansson, 24, has had 3-straight full seasons with 44+ points. He also tallied 22 points in 34 games in the 2013 lockout shortened year.
The 2009 first round pick has proven himself to be a reliable and consistent player down the middle for the Capitals, and he will likely get the money he deserves very soon.
Las Vegas Set on a Team Name?
The city of Las Vegas and Bill Foley sent in their official application to the NHL this week in hopes to get an NHL team in Sin City, and while we are still far off from a potential team getting created or moved there, the name of the team is already being discussed.
According to Jason Cuthbert of theScore.com, Las Vagas’ would-be owner Bill Foley said this week that the season ticket holders would have a say in the team’s nickname, assuming they are given a franchise.
Foley released the following statement this week:
"Get ready with your suggestions and keep the faith. The door has been opened and we’ve stepped through. Thanks to all of you for your input and support."
Bill Foley has left the door open in regards to a team name, but he has made it clear throughout the entire process that he is in favor of naming the team the “Black Knights”. He submitted the expansion application to the NHL with the “Black Knights” nickname on it.