The future of the Arizona Coyotes hockey team is uncertain after voters rejected their plan for an entertainment district in Tempe.
Currently, the team is playing home games at Mullett Arena with a seating capacity of only 5,000.
ESPN reported that the NHL is working on a contingency plan that could result in the team relocating to Salt Lake City as early as next season.
The prospective owner, Ryan Smith, has asked for suggestions for a new team name, and it has been revealed that the league has been working on schedule drafts for both Arizona and Utah.
The NHL has reportedly developed a contingency plan to move the Coyotes to Salt Lake City.
On Monday, Scottdale mayor David Ortega blasted the team's plans to build a $3B arena district in north Phoenix—and more questions have only risen since then.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) April 12, 2024
The NHL usually releases the schedule in late June. There are preparations underway for possible relocation, but no official comments have been made.
The Coyotes have faced instability since a previous owner drove the franchise into bankruptcy, and their lease agreement in Glendale was terminated.
The team’s latest plans involve a 95-acre parcel of land in Phoenix, with an auction scheduled for June 27.
If the Coyotes win the auction, construction on a new arena would begin next year. In Salt Lake City, there is already an existing arena that could be used temporarily until a new one is constructed.
There are two different schedule matrices being drafted for next season, one for staying in Tempe and one for moving to Salt Lake City.
It is also reported that there is a backup plan for Ryan Smith to acquire the franchise and for current owner Alex Meruelo to sell the majority stake.
If no sale is announced by the end of May, it is likely that the Arizona Coyotes will remain at the Tempe venue for the 2024-25 season.
Even if Meruelo wins the June land auction, it does not guarantee that the franchise will stay in Arizona past next season.
However, there is a possibility that the Coyotes could be reactivated in the future if a new arena is built.
Currently, it seems that the preferred option is to keep the team at the Mullett arena until the proposed new arena is finished, which is projected to be for the 2027-28 season.
Salt Lake City is also being considered as a potential expansion market for the NHL. Prospective owner Ryan Smith, who owns the NBA’s Utah Jazz, has expressed interest in having an NHL club in Salt Lake City.
The Smith Entertainment Group has even solicited suggestions for a team name.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Coyotes are still looking for a long-term home and are committed to winning an auction for a plot of land in Phoenix for a new arena.
Salt Lake City is already home to the Utah Jazz and MLS’s Real Salt Lake, and it is expected to host the 2034 Winter Olympics.
The NHL has not commented on the specific schedule for next season but is working on separate drafts in case the team plays in Arizona or Utah.
The league is continuing to work on finding a solution to the challenging situation with the Coyotes.
The NHL has no plans to expand beyond 32 teams at the moment.
