NHL wants answers on Coyotes arena situation - relocation is possible
It seems like for most of their being as a franchise, the Coyotes future in Arizona is still uncertain. After residential vote struck down the team's plans to build an arena complex in Tempe, the Coyotes are once again looking for a new home.
Of course, the team is currently playing games in Arizona State University's Mullet Arena, and only holding a capacity of 5,000, it's not financially possible for the team to remain as is.
Currently, there are a few rumoured options that's Coyotes CEO Xavier Gutierrez is said to be exploring, including another arena-entertainment complex pro appeal in the city of Mesa.
On TSN's last edition of Insider Trading, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun said that the NHL is looking for answers to the Coyotes' situation in early 2024. LeBrun added that with more expansion teams coming in the near future, the league needs solidified plans for the Coyotes, otherwise they'll look to relocate them to another city interested in hosting an NHL team.
"Yeah, there's no question that this feels like a once and for all proposition for Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo to get some finality on whether he can fix the arena situation in Arizona. What Gary Bettman said Wednesday was that they hope to have some clarity in January or February and that they remain optimistic that Arizona could actually figure this out. We shall see. But as other governors told me Wednesday at the meeting, there's no question you have to figure out Arizona first in case you have to move them to one of those cities that we just talked about. Especially whether that's Houston or Salt Lake City." LeBrun said.
The league has given the Coyotes time and time again to figure out a long-term agreement to stay in Arizona. It feels like this could be their last chance to prove viability in Arizona with the move to Mesa, but even that plan is scant on details at the moment.
The most promising relocation destinations currently include Houston and Salt Lake City, both of which currently have arenas able to host an NHL team.
Should the National Hockey League relocate the Arizona Coyotes in the near future? Share your thoughts in the poll below.
Source: Pierre LeBrun - TSN Insider Trading
| POLL | ||
Should the Arizona Coyotes be relocated? | ||
| Yes, they've been given too many chances | 180 | 79.6 % |
| No, keep them in Arizona | 23 | 10.2 % |
| Not Sure | 7 | 3.1 % |
| See Results | 16 | 7.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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