The NHL still owns the Phoenix Coyotes, and as we all know, they're hoping to sell the team to a group that will keep the team in Glendale, Ariz. long-term.
They thought they found that owner in Matthew Hulsizer, but legal challenges to a proposed lease deal with the City of Glendale have put that sale in jeopardy, and as a result, the Coyotes-to-Winnipeg chatter is louder than ever.
This, uh, isn't going to help. The ad below was on the boards during Monday night's Game 3 between the Coyotes and Red Wings at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale.
Yes, that's an ad for the Canadian version of the NHL.com Shop... on the boards in Arizona... during a game against the Detroit Red Wings. This makes absolutely no sense.
For the record, we love our friends in Glendale (especially those at SB Nation's Five For Howling) and on a personal level, I've lost a team before. It sucks more than you think (in most cases, it's not just a sports team you're losing -- it's a huge part of your life), and I don't think any of us want to see it happen to anybody on a human level -- no matter what you think of a town as a hockey market.
This ad, though, can only be directed at certain people, of course. When you go to shop.canada.nhl.com from the United States, you get a nice little message reminding you that there's an American version of the site. This ad is not for fans in Phoenix. It's for fans in Winnipeg.
What other possible explanation could there be? If you have one, offer it up in the comments. Please.
Thanks to JJ from Winging It In Motown for using his DVR skills to grab the image for us.