Coyotes inform players of team’s impending move to Salt Lake City

The Arizona Coyotes are set to relocate to Salt Lake City, according to a recent announcement made to the players by general manager Bill Armstrong. The potential move to Utah was disclosed to the team before their game against the Edmonton Oilers.

The players and officials may visit Salt Lake City next week, following the season finale on Wednesday, which could mark the final game at the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena in Tempe. The news of the relocation comes amidst speculation that Ryan Smith, owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, has been working to acquire an NHL team, possibly involving the league purchasing the Coyotes from Alex Meruelo.

Salt Lake City appears to be the preferred destination for the Coyotes, with plans for the team to play at the Delta Center until a new arena is constructed. This potential move would mark the third location for the franchise since its inception in 1979.

The decision to relocate the Coyotes to Salt Lake City has garnered support from officials in Utah, including Governor Spencer Cox, who highlighted the state’s strong economy and passionate sports fanbase as key factors for expanding the sports and entertainment community.

With the NHL working on two different drafts of the 2024-25 schedule based on the team’s location, it seems likely that the Coyotes will be calling Salt Lake City home in the upcoming season, bringing hockey to a new market in the western U.S. amidst the success of teams like the Seattle Kraken and Vegas Golden Knights.