After many years of the NHL and whoever else was the big cheese in this fledging franchise, the Arizona Coyotes finally found steady ground when it comes to having an actual owner. In 2019, many still think it's too little, too late. But if you think about, there is a chance for this hockey organization to totally redeem themselves.

Enter Alex Meruelo, the Cuban-American billionaire who purchased the Coyotes with a plan to be fully committed in keeping the team in Arizona. It's complicated for this franchise has had a roller coaster of a time since moving from Winnipeg in 1996.

Here are the four parts of the franchise that I believe could be improved, are already improved or will never be improved. 

4. MANAGEMENT

This is a crucial idea that was addressed when Meruelo purchased the Coyotes. When the NHL "owned" the team, they really couldn't do anything. Their only goal was to keep the franchise afloat. Commissioner Gary Bettman sees a gold mine in the Southwest for his league. And judging by the other teams in that area (Kings, Ducks, Sharks, Golden Knights), it has been successful. Unfortunately, the Coyotes stick out like a sore thumb due to their ineffectiveness. Boy wonder GM John Chayka, the youngest general manager in the NHL, has done an adequate job of fixing the previous regime's mess. He has a new philosophy in place to undo this. That philosophy is analytics. Yes, the glorious world of analytics. Chayka has added prominent young talent for their future, so it's working. As long as the business side and the hockey side of the front office shy away on meddling on each other's affairs, this could be a sustainable future going forward.

3. MARKETING

Ok, this is how I see sports teams marketed in Arizona based on billboards, TV/radio and newspaper ads. Off the top of my head and I am not actually right on this.

A. Cardinals 

B. Diamondbacks 

C. Suns

D. ASU (Since this is Sun Devil Country)

E. Coyotes

F. Phoenix Rising (Funny what a 20-game winning streak can do)

G. Mercury and Rattlers

I mean, marketing has gotten better over the last few years, but it can be more influential, especially in a state where people from the north and northeast (considered the hotbed of hockey) usually flock to for warmer weather. I remember Pierre the Snowman and the Whiteout is an extraordinary event whenever the Coyotes are in the playoffs. Unfortunately, the team hasn't been in the postseason that often. If this franchise is in dire straits as they say and anyone says, why not bombard every media outlet out there to promote this team to the fullest extent. It wouldn't hurt, would it?

2. THE ARENA ISSUE

When the Coyotes moved to Arizona in 1996, they played at AWA/Talking Stick Resort Arena. A place not suitable for hockey, yet they were tenants there for seven years. During the early 2000's, the team and the city of Scottsdale were entangled in a plan to build an arena in at the old Los Arcos mall. After a couple years of tossing and turning, the plan was scraped. Then the city of Glendale was open to building an arena, and they got it done. In late 2003, what is now called Gila River Arena opened and the Coyotes finally had a home. This is where everything gets funky. The organization and some fans were not happy that the arena was in Glendale, 17 miles and 23 min from downtown Phoenix (according to Google Maps). Then there was a plan to move the team to Tempe and build an arena in the area. Take a guess what happened? It fell through. Here's the issue: Gila River Arena is near an entertainment plaza called Westgate. Westgate is a money-making machine that is also used to entice people to see what Gila River Arena can offer, as is State Farm Stadium. It seems as if I'm just calling out the organization for saying that the arena is too far to why the Coyotes can not be profitable. 

(I'm about to recall a conversation with an Uber driver regarding sports. We were into this chat and the topic shifted to the Coyotes making it to the 2012 Western Conference Finals against the Kings. He stated that everyone was dressed in Coyotes gear and getting on the bandwagon hoping the club can advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Then when they didn't advance, everyone forgot about them.)

I decided to check the three games in that series played at Gila River Arena, and what I found out is simple. According to a New York Times article entitled "Troubled Coyotes Are In Western Finals", every playoff game was sold-out. So that crushes the theory that the arena is too far, which brings us to....

1. THE ATMOSPHERE 

Now that Meruelo is in charge, the organization and fans can now think about hockey. Especially, working to improve in all four phases that I just mentioned. Obviously, the players are the most important part of the atmosphere improving. Many fans are still irritated by the way the organization pushed out Shane Doan, but they retired his number last season. The Coyotes have a good amount of prospects that could develop into a strong team, which could Phoenix into a hockey town.....Ok, not really, but it's worth a start.

So, if Meruelo can follow through with his plans to do his best to keep the franchise in the Valley of the Sun, it can be beneficial for the state. If management is able to use analytics to steer the organization in the right direction, the fans will show up. Change is coming for the Coyotes when they move to the Central Division in two seasons as the new Seattle franchise comes in. One rivalry that will be interesting is against the Winnipeg Jets. Even if Commissioner Bettman insists that the team needs a new arena, the fans have already let it known. 

They will show up once the air is clear.

(Sources: NHL.com, Hockey Reference, NY Times, Az Republic, Az Central)

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