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A tweet from Arizona Sports 620's John Gambadoro lifted the spirits of many Phoenix Coyotes fans when he wrote:
The Coyotes and head coach Dave Tippett have agreed in principle on a new multi-year deal pending the successful sale of the team
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo620) June 18, 2013
Possible term and length of deal was reported via Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos:
#Coyotes contract offer to Dave Tippett pending sale of the team, believed 2 be similar to #Rangers agreement with Alain Vigneault. 5yr 10M
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) June 18, 2013
The deal is not done yet but this can be added to the list of unsolved issues that should become a lot clearer over the next couple weeks. His current contract is set to expire o June 30.
Tippett has made it clear in the past that he feels having solid ownership in place is a key part in the process of becoming a consistent winning team year after year.
UPDATES: Fox Sports Arizona's Craig Morgan refutes that any deal is done in principle.
Following up: Am told Dave Tippett's contract still has work to do before there can even be a deal in principle. Then NHL approval is needed
— Craig Morgan (@CMorganfoxaz) June 18, 2013
Again, Dave Tippett's deal isn't done yet, not even in principle, so he could still look at Vancouver or Dallas. Still issues to iron out.
— Craig Morgan (@cmorganfoxaz) June 18, 2013
Sarah McLellan of The Arizona Republic backs up Morgan's assessment.
Tippett succeeded Wayne Gretzky as head coach of the Coyotes in September 2009. In his first season with the team, he led the Yotes to their first playoff appearance since the 2001-2002 season with a record of 50-25-7 (107 points).
During his four years in the Desert, Tippett coached the Coyotes to a winning record of 156-96-42.
The most memorable moment in his coaching tenure thus far was the successes of the 2011-2012 season which saw the Coyotes claim their first ever Pacific Division championship, their first playoff series win and their first appearance in the Western Conference Final.
Noted for his defensive style of coaching, the 51-year-old has built Phoenix into a contender through a system of accountability and positioning in the defensive end.