The Arizona Coyotes have informed their players that the NHL club is expected to relocate to Salt Lake City. General manager Bill Armstrong flew to Edmonton to meet with players before their game against the Oilers to discuss the potential move. Players and officials may visit Salt Lake City soon after the season finale in Tempe. The decision has not been officially announced, and Coyotes players were not available for comment following their game against Edmonton.
The news of the Coyotes’ potential move comes amid speculation that Ryan Smith, owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, has been working to acquire an NHL team. Smith has solicited name suggestions for a team in Salt Lake City, and the league has been preparing two different schedules for the 2024-25 season based on the team playing in Arizona or Utah. The Smith Entertainment Group expressed interest in bringing a hockey team to Salt Lake City and is prepared to facilitate that process.
As the Coyotes face uncertainty with their future location, they have had a tumultuous history since joining the league in 1979. Initially the Winnipeg Jets, the team was sold to a Phoenix-area ownership group in 1996 and rebranded as the Coyotes. The franchise has since moved several times, facing financial difficulties and management changes. The latest potential move to Utah would mark their third relocation since joining the NHL.
Officials from Salt Lake City, Utah, and the city’s 2034 Olympic bid have supported Smith’s effort to bring hockey to the state. Utah is seen as an ideal location for an NHL team due to its history with hockey, strong economy, passionate sports fanbase, and active population. Smith and his group are focused on making the relocation happen for the 2024-25 season. Salt Lake City was chosen over other possible options, such as Houston, due to the success of expansion teams like the Seattle Kraken and Vegas Golden Knights in the western U.S. market.
The Coyotes’ potential move to Utah comes after failed arena referendums and land auctions in Arizona. This could lead the NHL back to the desert later in the decade if the land auction for a potential arena site in Phoenix is successful. Moving to Salt Lake City would likely provide the team with a more stable environment and support from local officials and fans. The franchise’s history of financial struggles and ownership changes may be alleviated by relocating to Utah under new ownership.
The Salt Lake City Coyotes would be playing their home games at the Delta Center until a new arena can be built. Smith’s efforts to acquire the team reflect a shift towards expanding the sports and entertainment community in Utah. With a young and active population, Salt Lake City is seen as a promising market for NHL hockey. The potential move to Utah signals a new chapter for the Coyotes franchise and could provide stability and growth for the team in a new location.
