That was my initial reaction to the recent Tony Amonte signing. Tony Amonte has signed with the Phoenix Coyotes, $24 million over 4 years. Amazing. This certainly will improve Phoenix's offense and it probably goes without saying that it will be a big blow the B'Hawks who was. one of the few sure things in Chicago in the past 6 or so seasons. Still, it sounds weird to me. I thought the Rangers or the Stars or one of the richer teams in the NHL. But Phoenix? "Now starting at right wing for the Phoenix Coyotes...TONY AMONTE!"
"Sometimes I just wanted to punch Thomas Jefferson right in the gonads but I DIDN'T!"-Goldust
Ya know for all that "I just want to win a Cup" talk Amonte spewed this sure is a lateral move. They're no better off than the Blackhawks were. I mean, sure, they're better now, because of him, but they're no better than the Hawks woulda been if he'd have stayed.
Realignment will probably be moot, since the impending lockout would like cause a shortening of the season anyway. I don't know why the NHL would try to impose realignment without consultation with the PA in the first place.