In Arizona, Kent Somers wrote Coyotes President of Hockey Operations & GM John Chayka, who turned 30 this summer, is "entering his fourth season on the job, and has done a commendable job of building a competitive, interesting team on a Top Ramen budget." Now, with the team under new Owner Alex Meruelo, fans will "get to see how he operates with a little money in his pocket." Meruelo "isn’t likely to spend like a pirate," but the team has "resources it's never had before" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/4).
LOOKING AHEAD: SPORTSNET.ca's Emily Sadler wrote this year's Blue Jays despite their record have provided some "exciting moments for fans with an eye to what’s to come." Team President & CEO Mark Shapiro said the "next step is to "move from competing to winning." Shapiro: "There are great things happening and reasons to be extremely optimistic and positive looking around our major-league diamond and then throughout our entire system" (SPORTSNET.ca, 9/4).
SHOT CALLER: In Austin, Chris Bils noted Austin FC Majority Partner & CEO Anthony Precourt is "hopeful" the MLS expansion club will hire a GM "by the end of the year." Precourt said that candidates with MLS experience are "being considered, but hiring somebody with more international experience and connections could be appealing." The club "shirked convention" by hiring coach Josh Wolff in July before settling on a GM (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 9/4).
