For the past two decades, the Arizona Coyotes have been looking for a long-term home for the franchise. Originally moving to Phoenix from Winnipeg in 1996, the team played at the America West Center until 2003, when they made the move to Gila River Arena before finally landing at Mullett Arena at the start of the 2022-23 NHL season. With a desperate need to find a long-term arena, the Coyotes are once again locked in a battle with several local governments to get funding.
Although two artificial deadlines have come and passed, Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff wrote today that an answer could come within the next few weeks, and potentially as early as the upcoming weekend. In the article, Seravalli listed three possibilities still on the table for the resolution: break ground on a publicly funded parcel of land, sell the team to secure private funding in the Phoenix Metro area or move the team to Salt Lake City, UT.
Being the most interesting option of the three, the idea of moving or creating a team in Salt Lake City has picked up steam in the last few weeks, especially with Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith requesting the initiation of a formal expansion process on January 24th. While missing the playoffs in 17 of 26 seasons, a bankruptcy, and multiple different ownership changes, the idea of the Coyotes moving north to Utah may become a very realistic possibility in the near future.
Other snapshots:
- Although they will not be hosting the 2025 Winter Classic, reports are alluding to the idea that the Columbus Blue Jackets may be hosting a Stadium Series game as soon as next season (Article Link). Being one of only a handful of teams not to host an outdoor game up to this point, the Blue Jackets appear set to host an outdoor game at Ohio Stadium, home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football program. Although nothing has been confirmed yet for the 2024-25 NHL season, the article indicates that NHL representatives were seen surveying the property during Ohio State’s game against the Michigan State Spartans on November 11th.
- During the team’s game tonight against the Winnipeg Jets, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that forward Noel Acciari would not return to the game. During the second period, Winnipeg defenseman Brenden Dillon delivered a hit that made contact with Acciari’s head, resulting in a match penalty on the play. After receiving the hit from Dillon, Acciari attempted to get up, but quickly fell back down on the ice, indicating that he may be headed for concussion protocol.
Hit by Dillon was as dangerous as they get. Nasty
@TJECK109 — I was listening to the radio side when it happened. The guys’ description made you sick to your stomach. I hope their prediction comes true about Dillon missing a game or two because of this. Or five…
It was a strange hit. 5 seems like maybe too many. Everything happened so quickly, to my eye it didn’t look like malicious intent, but it was definitely a hit to be discouraged. I always comment cynically on Trouba, but if that’s him delivering it, it’s “unfortunate” or a “clean hit,” typical bs. 2 games, maybe 3 depending on Dillon’s history. I hope Acciari is okay. Scary stuff.
I think this was a tough one. I watched it live and it was definitely dirty and Dillon was “head hunting”, but it wasn’t as dirty as several others I’ve seen this year.
Dillon straightened up and actually left the ice on impact, so he was going for a huge hit, but it was exacerbated by Acciari skating with his head down and hunched over. I actually disagree on the one point, I think Dillon had malicious intent, but the irony is that if Acciari doesn’t lean forward and hunch over Dillon probably misses him completely.
The problem here is that Dillon saw that acciari was skating with his head down, he didn’t suddenly dip his head. It wasn’t Dillon aiming for the chest and suddenly left in no mans land by a sudden move.
Is there really second group people stupid enough to use taxpayers money to build a arena for hockey team in Arizona . LOL If so help one to understand Arizona politics. LOL
Right? I go out there for work from time to time and I have literally seen one person in Coyotes gear and I constantly bring up hockey when interacting with people and nobody knows anything. Even the guy in the Coyotes hat actually knew nothing, just said he “liked the hat” lol.
Everybody knows and follows the D’backs and Cardinals, but nobody follows hockey that I’ve interacted with.
Reading the linked article, looks like the Coyotes are moving. A shame for their fans, as the team has an exciting future on the ice.
I love Dillon’s passion! Old time hockey!
Dirty
I’ve lived in Arizona for 35 years. Nothing changes in Phoenix if the Coyotes move. Phoenix Rising soccer team has filled its 10,000 seat capacity for 100% of its games. Utah will go nuts for a professional hockey team.
The question would be if Bettman would even let the Coyotes move to Utah. My guess is no, as the owners would be missing out on a $750M+ expansion fee. My gut says that Utah and Portland both get future expansion teams and the Coyotes end up in Houston.
Exactly right.