In an article from Barry Bloom of Sportico, the NHL Executive Committee has approved the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City. Although this reaffirms the momentum of relocation from the desert, the NHL Board of Governors, which comprises all 32 teams, still has to vote on the matter.
There is still plenty of work to be done on the rumored sale, as recent reporting from Saturday illustrated that the relocation would become much more complicated. Coming from John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports, Arizona’s current owner, Alex Meruelo, will retain the intellectual property rights to the Coyotes franchise, and will be given a five-year window to build an arena and bring an NHL franchise back to the state.
Nevertheless, although the league has yet to make an official statement on the matter, the sale process will now go to the desk of the Board of Governors. With earlier reporting suggesting that the sale could become official as soon as April 18th, the finality of the Coyotes-saga is in sight.
Other Coyotes notes:
- After being recalled on an emergency basis on April 9th, the Coyotes have reassigned forward Jan Jenik to their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. Over his current stint at the NHL level, Jenik suited up in four games for Arizona, tallying one assist in total while averaging 8:23 of ice time per night. Headed back to Tucson, Jenik has scored 16 goals and 36 points in 54 games for the Roadrunners this season, as he will now assist them on their 2024 Calder Cup playoff run.
- Likely making his NHL debut tonight, the Coyotes have recalled forward Aku Raty from the AHL. In what appears to be a reward for the former 151st overall pick, Raty has become a solid performer in his first season in North America. Playing the entire year with the Roadrunners up to this point, Raty has scored 14 goals and 43 points in 54 games and is currently leading the team after Josh Doan was recalled to the NHL level.
When I first read Sale Vote I was thinking another European prospect lol. Italian maybe? Haha
Meruelo will profit enormously on a venture he badly or purposely mismanaged. NHL owners & Bettman have sullied a possible good market in Phoenix (by letting greedy incompetent owners run it) & ignored real hockey markets as a true fix. SLC will be adequate but won’t provide benefits that Vegas & Seattle have accomplished. Greater Toronto, Quebec, southern Ontario, Houston or even Atlanta w/ good ownership would have been stronger markets.
You’re absolutely right on the mismanagement and potential here in the desert, but I disagree regarding Utah; I think a team there will be immensely successful and is one of the best options for the NHL.
The NHL needs to give up on Phoenix. The Phoenix market is like that woman you’re really into that might go out on a date or two with you, but just isn’t that into you. Say what you want about other markets like Atlanta, but at least they want to have a team and are willing to give them an arena.
Houston is by far the most lucrative untapped hockey market, Who knows what will happen in Utah.
What are you basing that off of?
Facts, Metro area size, Common elements that one would look at before such an endeavor.
What are these facts that you talk about? And if metro area size is the common element that makes a market lucrative for hockey, please explain why Phoenix has not worked, and why teams are not being mentioned for San Antonio, San Diego, Austin, and Jacksonville.