NHLPA head blasts Coyotes owner for arena situation, supports move to Utah

The Arizona Coyotes are on thin ice — no pun intended. 

On Friday, NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh roasted the team's owner, Alex Meruelo, for the seemingly never-ending process of building the franchise a permanent, NHL-worthy arena while also calling for the team to move if there wasn't a resolution by the end of the season. 

Walsh first attacked the Coyotes' current facilities, the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena, calling them "unacceptable." 

"They're playing in a college arena, and they're the second tenant in that arena," Walsh said, via Chris Johnston of The Athletic. "This is not the way to run a business." 

Mullett Arena has been the Coyotes' home for two seasons, and with an agreement on a new home no closer, there appears to be no end in sight. Capacity at the arena is undoubtedly an issue, but so are the other niceties, like training and locker rooms, which fall far below NHL standards. Walsh conveyed that that can't continue, and if ownership continues to drag its feet, they should move, maybe even to Utah.

"If there's no plan in Arizona, I would encourage a move to another location, absolutely," Walsh said, via Mark Lazerus of The Athletic. "If Utah's the place, Utah's the place. I'd encourage it." 

Commissioner Gary Bettman also spoke on the matter Friday, and while his words weren't as biting as Walsh's, he didn't sound too convinced either. Speaking on Meruelo, who has vowed to resolve the situation, Bettman said he was "reasonably confident" he'd come through, via Lazerus. 

As for the team, the Coyotes released a statement via social media confirming its commitment to the area and teasing "exciting news" to share soon. 

Walsh's harsh words for Coyotes ownership overshadowed what should've been an event worth celebrating. Not only did the league announce NHL players' return to the Olympics in 2026 and 2030, but it unveiled plans for the "4 Nations Faceoff," an International tournament to be held in 2025, featuring the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden.