According to the latest reports, Arizona Coyotes players have been informed that the team will be relocating to Utah to begin play there in 2024-25.
Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong met with players ahead of their game against the Edmonton Oilers to address the rumours of relocation and answer questions regarding the team’s future. It was the subject matter from this “players only” meeting which was then leaked to various media outlets which appeared to confirm that the NHL is working with Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith to facilitate a deal.
While the current plan appears to indicate that the Coyotes will share the Delta Center with the Jazz next fall, sources say that the NHL will only approve the deal if there are hockey specific upgrades made to the Delta Center or if a new arena is built to house the team. Unlike in Arizona however, that proposal appears to have the backing of local officials and taxpayers who have already green-lit a bill to fund a renovated sports and entertainment district in downtown Salt Lake City.
The Coyotes have long been a sore spot for the NHL. With numerous hockey crazed markets begging for a franchise, Gary Bettman’s insistence on making hockey work in the desert has led to more than a few eye rolls from stakeholders across the NHL.
With Arizona already playing out of the ASU home rink, a college built facility which houses roughly 5,000 fans at a time, and officials from Phoenix, Glendale and Tempe alike having shot down various proposals over the years, the writing was finally on the wall for the mis-managed Coyotes club.
Head Coach Andre Tourigny side stepped questions from reporters following his team’s 3-2 overtime win over the Oilers regarding the team’s future. While an official announcement is expected sometime next week, the Coyotes will wrap up their final two games against Calgary and Edmonton on Sunday and Wednesday respectively.
Photo: Kyvuh. This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.