Arizona Coyotes start new era with plenty of questions

Coyotes owner Andrew Barroway took a moment to yuk it up at an introductory news conference at Gila River Arena on Thursday. 

Posing with new team President and CEO Steve Patterson, Barroway mugged for cameras and ducked his face behind a Coyotes sweater in a show of personality that isn’t typical of NHL owners.  

It came after he used his first public comments since acquiring sole control of the team to say “today marks a new era for our franchise” and “this is a dream come true for me.” 

It was entertaining and will be remembered fondly, assuming he connects on what he stated as his top priority: “The most important thing is to find a long-term home for the Coyotes in Arizona.” 

The message was exactly what Coyotes fans should have wanted to hear from Barroway as he introduced himself, Patterson and coach Rick Tocchet – the latest and most important moves in a summer filled with changes.  

The team has seen more turnover than a rookie forward who can’t handle a stick since Barroway took charge in June. It’s resulted in a long list of questions, many of which have no clear answers.

Here’s what we now know and what we should watch for moving forward: 

Any regrets over how Shane Doan was treated? 

Doan was the franchise’s link to the good ol’ days. Captain Coyote wasn’t allowed to go out on his own terms, and many fans took it personally.   

Doan was informed that the team wouldn’t be renewing his contract by General Manager John Chayka at a Scottsdale restaurant. 

Barroway smartly walked that back Thursday. 

“I think we made the right hockey decision with Shane,” he said. “I’m confident we did. But in retrospect, I should have flown out and met with him myself and told him that.  

“And for that, I’m sorry. I apologize to Shane and the fans. I definitely could have done that better.”  

CLOSE

azcentral sports columnist Greg Moore on the Coyotes’ plan to better engage with Arizona fans.

What can we expect of the new coach? 

Rick Tocchet is a hockey guy. He looks like a hockey guy, with his firm stare, shaved head and fighter’s features. He sounds like a hockey guy, talking about “wingers holding position” and “philosophy on power plays and penalty kills.” 

But I’m afraid he’s facing unreasonable expectations.  

“We’re here to win now,” Barroway said. “You can see by some of our offseason moves that we’re gonna build a team that can compete and compete in the near-term.” 

Maybe. But the Coyotes were one of the worst clubs in the league last year. 

Should we expect much more than improvement?  

RELATED: Tocchet left memorable impression on Coyotes as player, assistant

What about that gambling thing?  

Tocchet was sentenced to two years’ probation after pleading guilty in 2007 to his role in a gambling ring, when he was an assistant coach under Wayne Gretzky here in Phoenix.

Tocchet has said the scandal is behind him, and given that it’s been a decade since the guilty plea and nearly that long since he was reinstated by the NHL, that’s reasonable. Investigations determined he didn’t bet on hockey.  

Chayka, whose title now includes president of hockey operations, didn’t spend a lot of time discussing it. He said Thursday that he did his due diligence, but he wasn’t specific.

If Tocchet’s story is one of redemption, I want to know more about it. If there are remaining character problems, I want to know more about that, too. Either way, we didn’t get enough of an answer to fully put it to rest. 

So who’s in charge of what? 

Patterson will work the stadium deal. Chayka, meanwhile, will try to balance what he thinks is best with what Barroway tells him.   

“I think we have the best GM in the league. I’m thrilled to have John, and he’s got a new title now; thankfully no raise in pay, but a new title,” Barroway said, drawing laughs.  

“I think that he’s awesome. And I respect everything that he’s doing, and we talk. And we talk a lot. And sometimes I have some ideas that John may or may not like. But, ultimately, I’m gonna respect his decision making. But I am gonna be involved.” 

With all the upheaval, it’s telling that Chayka remains. But his boss undercut him in front of a room full of people. Can’t imagine that goes much better in private. Hope for his sake I’m wrong.  

And what about Patterson? 

Patterson left ASU after about two years as athletic director to take the same job at Texas. It’s one of the most high-profile jobs in the nation, and he had to go. 

But he didn’t last long, leaving Austin after just two years amid reports that he angered fans and boosters with cost-cutting moves and a straightforward management style.  

My guess is there was a certain segment upset that he hired Charlie Strong and Shaka Smart, but what do I know? 

Patterson stands by his decisions and has become known for building, renovating and financing stadiums. That, plus his ASU ties make him seem to be a perfect fit for Barroway’s vision.  

“Failure’s not an option,” Barroway said. “We’re gonna get a new stadium. It’s just a matter of when.”  

Patterson also said he wants to grow the Coyotes’ fan base, in part by reaching out to communities that aren’t normally associated with hockey, through clinics and camps and connecting with schools and elected leaders. He said the plan could include equipment for kids to play blacktop hockey. 

He didn’t give a timetable, but this is an excellent long-term plan that could open up an otherwise insular sport. 

YOUR TAKE: Tocchet a great hire or a misfire for Coyotes?