Arizona Coyotes players react to the relocation news
The Arizona Coyotes are likely moving to Salt Lake City, Utah, and not everyone is on board with this move, including the players themselves.
According to Craig Morgan on PHNX, not everyone's thrilled about the Coyotes packing their bags for Salt Lake City.
One player told Elliotte Friedman there may be a meeting to discuss the team's future before they all head off for the off-season after the season finale against the Edmonton Oilers at Mullet Arena on April 17th. The announcement could come as early as the following day.
Now, before we all start booking flights to Salt Lake City for Coyotes games, let's pump the brakes a bit. While talks are heating up and memos are flying around about progress, it's not quite a done deal yet. Several sources are urging caution, warning against jumping to conclusions too soon.
Yet, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff added the Coyotes' relocation to Utah is looking 90% likely, and the two sides are at the finish line. So it's probably just a precautionary warning more than a false alarm notion.
Initially, the plan was to wait until the June 27 auction and see if the Coyotes won that land. They recently released renderings for if that were to happen. Yet, a couple of concerns popped up. What if they lost the auction? And nobody's too keen on the idea of three more seasons at a 5,000-seat Mullett Arena, which they share with the Arizona State Sun Devils of the NCAA. Also, even if they do win, it won't come without pushback from the Scottsdale Mayer.
If moved, the plan is for the team to play in Delta Center, home of the NBA's Jazz.
It's possible as part of the sale to the NHL and Ryan Smith in Salt Lake City, Utah, there's talk that hockey can return to the dessert. Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo could snag a five-year exclusive window, potentially paving the way for the Coyotes to return as an expansion franchise and team #33.
No matter how you slice it, the latest chapter in the Coyotes' wild relocation is far from over. Buckle up!
| POLL | ||
10 AVRIL | 121 ANSWERS Arizona Coyotes players react to the relocation news Do you agree with the Coyotes players protesting the move to Utah? | ||
| Yes | 61 | 50.4 % |
| No | 60 | 49.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
