The NHL reportedly is drafting two versions of the 2024-25 schedule, one with the Coyotes remaining in Arizona and the other based on their potential relocation to Salt Lake City.
The Daily Faceoff reported the schedule makers’ current quandary on Wednesday, citing multiple sources.
The Coyotes currently play their home games at Arizona State’s Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz. Their home finale this season is on April 17 against the Edmonton Oilers.
The team announced plans last week to buy land in Phoenix to build a privately funded arena and entertainment district.
However, that plan hinges on the club winning a June 27 land auction for the 110-acre site that will be auctioned off by the Arizona State Land Department. The appraised price of the site is $68.5 million.
The NHL franchise relocated to Arizona from Winnipeg in 1996 and played in Phoenix until a move to Glendale, Ariz., in 2003. The latter city terminated its lease with the Coyotes following the 2021-22 season.
Last year, the Coyotes lost an election with Tempe voters in a plan to build a $2.3 billion arena and entertainment district. The upcoming land bid could be the club’s final attempt at staying in the Phoenix area.
If Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo opts to sell the team instead, he has a willing partner available in Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith.
“We are interested. We are ready, and we’re a partner,” Smith told The Athletic earlier this week. “The arena is done. We think we have a solution. And that’s my message to the NHL.”
Smith added to the relocation speculation on Monday with a post on X, formerly Twitter, soliciting potential team names for a Salt Lake City NHL team.
