Welcome back to Screen Shots, a regular THN.com feature in which we debate and discuss a few hockey topics and break them down into short paragraphs. Onward we go:
A new survey by Casino.org has made news for ranking NHL fan bases from happiest to most miserable.
It’s no surprise that two Canadian teams are at or near the top regarding the most miserable fan bases. The survey suggested Calgary Flames fans were most unhappy, and in third place, the Toronto Maple Leafs were the third-most miserable.
The survey of 2,000 hockey fans using a weighted index assessed different factors, such as Stanley Cup optimism, mood changes, irritation levels after a loss and more, per Postmedia.
Before we jump all over Leafs fans in particular, let’s point out that this survey says more about the teams themselves than the people who root for them.
Toronto supporters have dealt with disappointment for nearly six decades, while Flames fans haven’t seen their team get past the second round of the playoffs since they made the Stanley Cup final in 2003-04. Flames fans have also had to deal with two straight seasons without making the playoffs and veteran players getting sent away.
It would be rather strange if Leafs and Flames fans were rosy and joyful over their team’s performance of late. And the longer their futility stretches, the more sour their fans will be.
Some teams in every pro sports league have become more notable for their failures than their successes. In the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills have let down their fans for many years, as have the NBA’s New York Knicks. The Leafs are squarely in that same category, and it follows that Toronto fans are sour every year the Leafs stumble into year-ending misery.
Longtime Arizona Coyotes beat reporter Craig Morgan reported Wednesday that former Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has completed the process of relinquishing his rights to the franchise.
Per NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly,
Alex Meruelo has agreed to and signed all of the necessary agreements and paperwork to relinquish his rights to the Coyotes. The process is complete.— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) July 10, 2024
The book is now closed on Meruelo’s dismal era running the franchise. While some Coyotes fans would have continued tolerating Meruelo as the team’s owner if it meant preventing the organization from seeing its hockey assets go to Utah, this news is a step forward.
There may yet be a time and opportunity for another prospective owner to swoop in and revive the Coyotes identity, but the marriage between Meruelo and NHL hockey has come to its logical conclusion.
Indeed, when the deal for a new arena in Arizona fell apart – whether it was losing the referendum in Tempe in May 2023 or the land auction in Phoenix being cancelled in June 2024 – it was tough to see a way forward. It’s a shame it came to this, but the reality is that the team – and the intellectual property – were in a no-win situation, and a new era that doesn’t include Meruelo at least has another chance to be successful somewhere down the line. It’s best for all involved that the page has turned on the franchise.
Finally, three cheers to longtime goalie coach Sudarshan Maharaj, who on Wednesday was promoted by the Anaheim Ducks to the position of director of goaltending.
NEWS: We have promoted longtime goaltending coach Sudarshan Maharaj to our Director of Goaltending!
We're also proud to announce the hirings of assistant coach Tim Army and NHL goaltending coach Peter Budaj.
Read more on our 2024-25 coaching staff ⬇️https://t.co/FfFk81GAd3
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) July 10, 2024
In May, the Ducks announced Maharaj became cancer-free after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023. The team said Maharaj had a “very low chance of survival” and underwent major surgery removing his gallbladder and parts of his small intestines, pancreas and stomach. He also had 11 rounds of chemotherapy.
Many people know someone they’ve lost to the disease, so it’s tremendously positive news to see Maharaj thriving and being rewarded for his determination to continue being a key member of the hockey community.
The 60-year-old’s promotion means he’ll oversee goalie coaching, development and scouting, with new Ducks goaltender coach Peter Budaj and AHL San Diego counterpart Jeff Glass reporting to him.
The Ducks have many positive things to look forward to as the team is being rebuilt from the ground up, but when they have almost a miracle story unfolding in real time, it’s particularly heartwarming.
Here’s hoping Maharaj remains vibrant and in great spirits, and here’s hoping he’ll be an inspiration for everyone who has to take on this blight on the world.
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News Summary:
- Screen Shots: Are Maple Leafs and Flames Fans Miserable? Plus Ducks' Goalie Coach Promotion and Relinquished Coyotes
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.