Coyotes-Jets: Not A Zero-Sum Game

If reports from Phoenix are accurate, it looks like Winnipeg could be on the verge of getting its beloved Jets back. CBC did a good job dedicating most of its second intermission during Saturday night’s Canadiens-Penguins telecast to reviewing the latest developments from Arizona:



Although we will have to hold our breath to see whether the Coyotes move to Winnipeg in time for next season, logic dictates that NHL hockey will return to the Manitoba capital sooner or later (and I’m betting on sooner) – either in the form of the Phoenix Coyotes or one of the other half-dozen teams in the U.S. sunbelt that are burning cash. And when this happens, Canadian television networks will be grinning from ear to ear.

CBC may need to hire an additional play-by-play crew, but the addition of a seventh Canadian team would be like a gift from above for the public broadcaster. Over the past few regular seasons, Hockey Night in Canada has increased its Saturday night audience at 7 o’clock by offering more regional content – usually from both Montreal and Ottawa – and the addition of Winnipeg to the line-up would provide a greater interest in the early game to viewers west of Ontario. What’s more, given the “draft” system used to divide playoff assignments between CBC and TSN, both networks would have a greater chance of televising an additional series involving a Canadian team. And let’s not forget Rogers Sportsnet, which has regional weekday rights to five of the six currently existing Canadian teams and would be a logical broadcast partner for the reincarnated Jets.

But this is not a zero-sum game. American networks do not need to lose in order for Canadian networks to win. Whereas the presence of the Jets would give a boost to the NHL’s northern broadcast partners, the absence of the Coyotes would go pretty much unnoticed on U.S. network television. NBC hasn’t exactly made a habit of showing games from Phoenix and it’s hard to believe the broadcaster would miss having the Coyotes as an option. It’s equally hard to believe that any of the other 23 U.S.-based teams would suffer – either at the gate or via their regional television deals – by not having Phoenix as an opponent.

Although CBC’s Ron MacLean raised a valid point in the above video by suggesting that the Boston Bruins, as a typical U.S. example, wouldn’t get excited about a visit by the Winnipeg Jets, the fact remains that none of the U.S. teams can possibly view the Coyotes as a better draw. But it would sure be a better draw for the Calgary Flames . . . and the Edmonton Oilers . . . and Hockey Night in Canada . . . and 32 million hockey fans in this country . . . and the overall financial health of the game.

Let’s hope the NHL does the right thing – and sooner rather than later.

TONIGHT’S GAMES:
Flyers at Bruins – Game 5, 7 p.m. (TSN)
Penguins at Canadiens – Game 6, 7 p.m. (CBC)/(RDS)