Why would a Matthews acquisition build an arena? They’re going to be sold to the suns owner and moved downtown

It wouldn't build them a new arena, but hopefully, it will generate more revenue than the 58.075M that they would pay him over 4-years. It could also be a reason for players to want to play in ARZ.

It’s Arizona, players want to play here either way. Matthews isn’t building some insane ticket base day 1, a long term sustainable team does that

Players want to play there until they want to win, adding Matthews won't make them win but it's about selling a vision. They would have him for 4-years in this imaginary scenario to build a ticket base and sell merchandise.

Blackwood gonna cost a late round pick and go to arbitration

I don't think anyone is going to trade for Blackwood. Most likely he doesn't get tendered a QO by NJ.

He has arbitration rights, he'll garner a pick

Considering his injury history as well, what would the motivation be for a team to take him to arbitration (to get his cap hit lower than his QO) instead of just signing him via free agency on their own terms? He's going to get more in arbitration than he will in free agency probably (depending on the team signing him).

It's possible that NJ tenders him (doubt it) and does that but I don't think an acquiring team trades for him and does that considering the potential goalie FA class and those available via trade.

Free agency gives them no control. Blackwood can sign whatever he likes (and will get more than you think). Via arbitration they have control as they own his rights, and if they do not like the arb price/cannot come to an agreement, they do not have to sign him at that price.

In free agency they can offer whatever they want in terms of AAV and term, Blackwood will have the option to accept or not.

Arbitration is only going to grant a team a 1 or 2-year deal. If it's team elected arbitration, I don't think the team can walk away from the ruling not sure. They also need to pay him 85% or more if his previous salary. If it's player elected arbitration, the contract must exceed a certain amount for the team to walk away, pretty sure it's far more than his QO.

I think you drastically underrate what minimal media pressure and amazing weather does. Players want to be here, it’s why the union isn’t clamoring to move the team to Quebec

Bad players start to look good and good players look great, which is why I don't give extra credit for ARZ players like some people do. It's also a great place for players to find their game and confidence which is why I hope Puljujarvi signs there this offseason instead of Finland.

That being said there are other places with good weather, other small (hockey) markets, and some people like working under pressure, so eventually you're bound to have players who get fed up with the situation in Arizona assuming the Board of Governors don't get fed up first.