Franchise Faces

by user Pbcoyotes

Knowing that their future livelihoods depend on the franchise being healthy (i.e. bringing people out to the arenas), hockey players spend time promoting the sport and being faces of the franchise. If fans knew their local heroes, they possibly may come out and support their quests and cheer them on to victory.

All very medieval, eh? [1] However, there was one story three years ago where Marty St. Louis spent the summer of 2000 working to help the Calgary Flames sell tickets. Quite possibly figuring that if he did the tough work, then the Flames might keep him and he can improve his four goals and 20 points of 69 NHL games with the Flames.

New management came in and bought out St. Louis’s contract and he ended up with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

By way of Kukla’s Korner, the Ottawa Sun reports that before Ottawa Senators John Muckler was fired, there was talk that the Coyotes wanted to deal away defenseman Derek Morris for Senators goaltender Martin Gerber.

Morris has been doing the heavy promotional lifting for the past two weeks here in the Valley. Even though it would be tough on the player, Morris does have fans here and people come out to see him. If a young fan really liked Morris, and he or she met him at an autograph signing party, then Morris gets traded, then that fan unfortunately learns the harsh reality of sports today.

Sometimes heroes are forced to move on.

Is Derek Morris comparable to Martin St. Louis? Hardly, but before Flames management forced St. Louis to leave, he was not playing well at the time. Last season, Morris was a minus 18 and did not have a stellar year, as well as the other Coyotes players (sophomore defenseman Zbynek Michalek was a minus 20), but the value remains for the players involved in the potential transaction.

In terms of value, is Gerber worth more to the Coyotes franchise than Morris? Many would say yes, but it is unfortunate, if the reports are true, and the deal takes place, that the temporary face of the promotional machine might not be around later.

Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

892 days ago

Score 0

These hockey player must be some God awful ugly mutts as "franchise faces" based upon this sport's lack of any recognizable player identity across the US along with its dismal television ratings.

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