Disappearing Act For The Great One In Phoenix

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Normally when NHL training camps open up there is a sense of optimism that goes through an entire franchise. It starts from ownership, to management, to the coaching staff, and most importantly the players. This sense of optimism is what allows every team to believe they have a chance at hockey’s holy grail.

So, what happens when you’re not even sure you and the rest of the people involved with your franchise aren’t even optimistic about finishing the year in the same city training camp starts in.

Welcome to Wayne’s World. Wayne Gretzky that is.

Even the most casual sports fan knows the name Gretzky. Very few question that he may very well be the single greatest player in the history of professional hockey. There is no athlete in any sport that has even won a league MVP championship eight seasons in a row as he did.

So it would seem that every goal Wayne Gretzky ever sought out for, he achieved. All the awards, the championships, the camaraderie, as well as fame and fortune.

Gretzky’s recent goals don’t seem to have the same shine though. The hockey great is minority owner of the Phoenix Coyotes as well as their head coach and while the team hasn’t had the success he has hoped for, nothing could have prepared him for this upcoming season.

With the bankruptcy court proceedings and the constant mud slinging between the NHL and Blackberry boss Jim Balsillie over the who will own and operate the Phoenix Coyotes, Gretzky has elected to stop home. Considering he has a stake on the ownership side as well as being the highest paid coach in the NHL ($8 million USD), any change of ownership could affect his standing ten fold.

The general consensus is if Balsillie gains control over the team, Gretzky will be compensated for his stake in the team and pushed out of the franchise.

So, to recap this messy situation. The Coyotes begin training camp with no certainty of finishing the year in Phoenix, no proper team owner, a further dwindling fan base, and the most legendary hockey player of all time unable to coach the team he has helped keep afloat.

If any Coyote fan looks up ‘morale’ in the dictionary, they won’t gawk their team logo there. As well, if it keeps up…..they won’t see a Coyote in Phoenix either.