The Coyotes' decision to "blow up the roster and rebuild with prospects is long overdue," with drafting and player development being the "only way a low-budget hockey team in Arizona will ever compete for a Stanley Cup," according to Dan Bickley of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The Coyotes before the NHL trade deadline dealt high-profile players D Keith Yandle and C Antoine Vermette for several first-round draft picks and prospects. But rebuilding "requires time and patience, which makes the matter complicated in Glendale, where an out clause allows the team to leave if it loses" more than $50M over a five-year period. Coyotes co-Owner, President & CEO Anthony LeBlanc said, "Did we lose money Year 1? Yes. Will we lose money in Year 2? Yes. But we budgeted for those losses, and we do feel this thing will turn around. And when it does, that should obliterate discussions of the out clause. We understand people focus on it because it's something that's there. All I can give is my word." But Bickley wrote the "problem is, LeBlanc's group no longer has controlling interest of the team" since Majority Owner & Chair Andrew Barroway took over in January. Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers said, "I still haven't met (Barroway) yet, so that's a little troubling. He had one window where he could've met with me for a couple hours, and that didn't work with my schedule. But that's it. And I wish that part could've been handled differently. But the feedback I'm getting from folk is, 'What's going on here? Why are they getting rid of all their talent?'" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/8). In Phoenix, Sarah McLellan wrote the Coyotes "have been on a downward spiral" this season. The team "will not make the playoffs" for a third straight season. This has "strengthened the appetite for change, and management is set to undertake a rebuild that already wiped the roster of some of its pillars to make room for youth" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/8).
