NHL comments on potentially relocating the Arizona Coyotes

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Cooper Godin
March 20, 2024 (2:33 PM)

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The National Hockey League has commented on potentially having to relocate the Arizona Coyotes.

The National Hockey League held it's annual General Managers meetings in Florida this week and on Wednesday, Commissioner Gary Bettman, along with Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, met with the media to discuss a number of topics.

Among those tops Bettman and Daly were asked about was the Coyotes' situation in the state of Arizona. As everyone likely knows by now, the Coyotes are set to participate in an auction in June for a 95-acre plot of land in North Phoenix to build a permanent home for the franchise.

However, since the news came out last week about the land auction, many have been wondering what would happen if the Coyotes would lose and if they would be relocated in time for the 2024-25 season. Well, it doesn't appear that will happen.

According to Bill Daly, if the Coyotes lose the auction in June, it's too short of a timeline to have them relocate for the 2024-25 season and they will remain at Mullett Arena for another campaign. If the team does need to relocate, it won't happen until the 2025-26 season at the earliest.

Bettman and Daly wouldn't commit to a specific timeline regarding a decision on relocating the Arizona Coyotes, but did say that "it's getting late" when it comes to finding a new, permanent home in the state.

"Regarding the Coyotes, Bill Daly alluded that the team will play in Arizona next season, even if they lose the land auction in June. So if the team needs to relocate, it will have to be for the 25-26 season." Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports said.

Chris Johnston of TSN added, "Bill Daly, asked if the NHL would have time to pivot and have the #coyotes play somewhere other than Arizona next season if Alex Meruelo doesn't win June's land auction: "Probably not."

Seems to be an indication they're likely to remain where they are for 2024-25."

"Both Bill Daly and Gary Bettman declined to define any kind of deadline on a possible #coyotes relocation decision. But Daly did mention "it's getting late.""

It's certainly going to be interesting to watch this situation in the coming months and if the Coyotes win or lose the upcoming land auction. The Coyotes have face relocation rumours for a number of years now, but it appears that we're closer than ever to actually seeing a move out of Arizona become a reality.