Report: NHL, Coyotes make progress on framework for Utah relocation

The Arizona Coyotes could find themselves looking at two scenarios for where they play in the 2024-25 season — and one involves relocation.

Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported that the NHL, Coyotes ownership and Smith Entertainment Group have made significant progress on the framework of an agreement to relocate the team to Utah.

Earlier in the day, Seravalli also reported that the NHL was drafting two versions of a league schedule for the 2024-25 season, with one being keeping the Coyotes in Arizona, and the other them playing in Salt Lake City in the event of relocation.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that if a move to Utah is coming, it will be known soon, partly because the arena in Utah is shared with an NBA franchise, so the league would need to know available dates in order to put together a schedule.

When it comes to the Coyotes' short-term and long-term future in Arizona, the proposed plan from the ownership group still has concerns.

"We know there's the auction on June 27, but the Coyotes are on record saying if they win the auction, they probably won't be ready to play in the new arena until fall of 2027," Friedman said on The Jeff Marek Show. "I think one of the big questions here is, can this stay the way it is for three more years? I think to a lot of people, the answer is, 'I'm not sure they're really thrilled about that idea,' even if they do win the auction.

"I do think that one of the things they've been talking about is: 'Do we move the team and then do we make it so, as part of the sale, Alex Meruelo has the right of first refusal, pending approval by the NHL board,' or some language like that, to be the owner of the next Arizona franchise whenever it comes. I absolutely believe that was on the table."

Another wrinkle in the situation is the concern players who signed with the Coyotes might have about their contract status in this situation.

"I believe there are some players who have asked what their rights are in this situation," Friedman said. "Are there any of them that would say, 'I signed with Arizona, and I if I'm not with Arizona, what can I do about it?' And I think the answer is, 'Not much,'" Friedman explained. "You can't not go (to Utah) if you're signed to a contract, your contract transfers with the sale. It will be interesting to see if any players say they'd rather be traded or anything like that. I do think this has been discussed as well."

Smith Entertainment Group, led by Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith, has expressed interest in bringing an NHL franchise to Salt Lake City, saying that the city can host a team immediately out of Delta Center. The plan for a new arena is being “designed for professional and Olympic hockey.”

Talking to The Athletic, Smith said he is keeping an eye on what is happening with the Coyotes but does not want to be viewed as someone trying to take advantage of the situation.

“People who know me know I’m pretty direct. If that were the intention, I would just come out and say that,” Smith said, when asked if he is targeting the Coyotes. “We’re not about trying to mess with anybody else’s world. I know what it’s like to be in a partnership like we are in the NBA. There is a way to go about it.”

For now, Smith remains adamant that he is ready to bring a team to Utah and will be prepared to add seats for future NHL games.

“I don’t want to get involved with how they deliver a team. We’re showing that we’re ready, and that’s what we’re putting forward,” Smith said. “We talk to them frequently. They know our interest. They see what’s going on. They see the value, and they’re intrigued.”

The Coyotes have been pushing to figure out a permanent arena solution in Arizona but have been struggling to lock down a site for a rink.

In their latest hitch, Scottsdale mayor David Ortega opposed the Coyotes' plans to purchase land in North Phoenix — bordering Scottsdale — to build their arena in an opinion piece written Monday for the Arizona Digital Free Press, calling the project unfeasible and unwelcome.

"The prospect of a rookie developer attempting to buy Arizona State Trust Land with absolutely no infrastructure on the Phoenix side of Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road intersection at the doorstep of Scottsdale is not feasible, or welcome," Ortega wrote.

"I admire the hockey sport, Arizona Coyotes community involvement and phenomenal youth clubs at Scottsdale Ice Den. But I, along with City of Scottsdale staff, will continue to monitor any actions that occur and negative repercussions for Scottsdale. As it stands today, the fantasy hockey project must move west, away from Scottsdale."

The issue stems from the infrastructure needed to sustain a hockey arena where the plot of land is situated. Ortega has demanded that any infrastructure be pulled from Phoenix, not from Scottsdale, because his city's water assets are "absolutely not available."

The Coyotes declined to comment on Ortega's statement when contacted by Sportsnet.

The Coyotes played at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz, from 2003 to 2022, when the city elected not to renew their contract with the team, thus putting the franchise in location limbo.

The Coyotes announced their intention last week to win the upcoming land auction, taking place on June 27, and say they will privately fund the construction of the arena and entertainment district. In 2023, it appeared the Coyotes might land in Tempe, but their $1.7-billion entertainment district proposal was rejected by voters in a referendum.

The Coyotes are nearing the end of their second season at a 4,600-NHL-capacity rink on Arizona State’s campus while looking for a long-term solution. NHL Players' Association executive director Marty Walsh has voiced concerns about being the second tenant in that small of a building, saying several deadlines have passed.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, in an interview with The Associated Press last month, said Coyotes owner Meruelo was working on the situation.

“It’s hard work, and he’s committed to it,” Bettman said, declining to put a deadline on the process. "I think sooner rather than later. I think people are craving certainty. And we are, too, but this isn’t a 60-minute game where the light goes on and the game’s over. He’s working on it. We still have some time.”

The Coyotes, meanwhile, have expressed optimism about their plans.

“We are thrilled by the prospects of building this historic development for Arizona Coyotes fans and fans in waiting,” Xavier Gutierrez, president and CEO said. “This is more than just an arena project — it is a best-in-class urban redevelopment project that would transform a perfectly located parcel of land into an Arizona landmark, and create a vibrant neighbourhood for individuals to live, work and play."

-- With files from the Associated Press