Today the schedule makers decided on their 2024-25 NHL regular season schedule with a second version. They are in the process of drafting up next year’s schedule. Moreover, there will be one version based on the Coyotes being in Arizona. However, there will be a secondary edition of one based on the Arizona Coyotes relocating to Salt Lake City, Utah. The idea is the relocated franchise could play at the home of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, the Delta Center.
The Coyotes Could Have a New Arena, Just Not in Arizona
Of course, the timing is always of interest because of a tweet earlier this week. Ryan Smith is the current owner of the Utah Jazz. His tweet of earlier this week was pontificating a new NHL franchise if one so happened to become available. Hint, hint, wink, wink, nudge, nudge! Regardless, there definitely is traction in a move from Arizona to Utah.
The Current State of the Arizona Coyotes Playing in the Mullet Arena
And why wouldn’t there be traction? The fact the NHL houses a team in a 4,600-seat arena is a farce. Yes, it is a nice story and all. Also, the Coyotes started the season well. However, as the season wore on, the Coyotes fell back and will end somewhere between a great NHL draft lottery position and a more or less okay one. The Coyotes currently find themselves with the fourth-worst record in the NHL. Moreover, they are within only a point of the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators.
Heading into the 2024 NHL entry draft the Coyotes do have their pick. They also have 13 total after having traded away players for picks. A couple of players involved in some of those trades are Jakob Chychrun and Darcy Kuemper.
A Potential Move to Utah
Back to some specifics on the potential deal, it would see current Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo sell the team. Ryan Smith and the Smith Entertainment Group would be paying upwards of $1.2 billion for the franchise. This amount would have a relocation fee built into it for dispersal amongst NHL owners. Nothing is set in stone….yet. And there is a little time, but time is running out. The fact that the NHL is designing a contingency plan is interesting, to say the least. This will not be the last we hear of this.
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