One New York Rangers Player Calls Arizona Coyotes Temporary Visitors' Setup 'Poo-Poo,' Can You Guess Who?
The New York Rangers are arguably the most pampered team in the NHL, speaking strictly of quality of amenities. And that isn't a slight to the players; rather a tip-of-the-cap to the organization, which has always invested top-dollar into the team's facilities. It's part of the reason why the club has had such success seducing free agents over the years.
Sure, Madison Square Garden, the bright lights of New York City, and the franchise's storied past play a role too. But ask any professional athlete, and they will admit that the quality of a team's facilities matter.
As it were, when the New York Rangers visited the Arizona Coyotes last night, they were in for a bit of a deviation from their normal arrangement. Even when the team travels, they are accustom to a certain standard; one unmet by the state of Arizona's visitors' center. While there last night, Mike Gould of The Daily Faceoff interviewed some of the Rangers' players asking them their thoughts on the Yotes' visitor setup.
«I thought it was great, honestly,» Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant told reporters after Sunday's game. «You know it's only 5,000 seats in here but I thought it was excellent. You didn't even notice it during the game. I thought the atmosphere was good and I thought everything was great.»
In addition to the coach, Alexis Lafreniere and K'Andre Miller were both kind enough in their assessments, suggesting that their basic needs were met. Lafreniere likened the experience to playing for the Rimouski Océanic of the QMJHL, but generally the intimacy of the setting has earned favorable reviews.
Well, mostly anyway. Ryan Reaves was asked about his opinion and was more candid than most. The Rangers' heavyweight said the setup was weird and the execution was...less than stellar.
«This room is a little poo poo. It's a little cold in here, too. Not gonna lie.» Reaves said. «It's a weird setup.»
The setup is temporary, while the Coyotes await the finalization of an annex; a permanent visitors barracks, affixed with all the amenities a team could possibly need. Even so, the jankiness of the setup can hardly be ignored. I mean...
Although some of the players may have taken issue with the facility, one aspect of Mullett Arena has received unanimously glowing reviews. The ice of the Coyotes' short-term home has received a plethora of positive feedback, some even suggesting it's the best ice in the NHL. Which - if we're talking priorities - is the most important part, is it not?
«They kept [the ice] in good condition for when we got out there each period, it felt pretty fast,» Miller added. «Fun atmosphere out there.»
Even Reaves admitted that the ice felt great, calling it 'unreal' afterwards. While I think most hockey fans agree that this is not the ideal setup, the Coyotes are making lemonade with what they have. At least they have some sort of vision for the next couple of years and are starting to set the stage for the long-game.
The deadline for the building's final product - re: a visitors center - is the end of the team's 14-game roadtrip, which spans from November 5 through December 7; the trip features three different three-day breaks, so the team will be able to sleep in their own beds at some point over the trip.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 31 | 262 ANSWERS One New York Rangers Player Calls Arizona Coyotes Temporary Visitors' Setup 'Poo-Poo,' Can You Guess Who? Will the Coyotes' proposal of their new facility be accepted by the city of Tempe? | ||
| Yes | 90 | 34.4 % |
| No | 89 | 34 % |
| Who Cares, Relocate 'Em | 83 | 31.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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