SALT LAKE CITY – Arizona Coyotes players received word in a team meeting that the franchise is relocating to Utah, according to Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet.
The hockey insider reported the outcome of the meeting on Friday, April 12.
The Coyotes reportedly had a meeting with general manager Bill Armstrong before puck drop for a road game against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night.
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“There is word tonight the Arizona Coyotes players were informed in a meeting they are going to Utah. Players and staff may be headed to Salt Lake City right after Wednesday’s game to check out the facilities and the city,” Friedman posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
More: there is still work to do, timing obviously is fluid, but players were told of the pending move and there will be an opportunity to see the potential new surroundings.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 13, 2024
“There is still work to do, timing obviously is fluid, but players were told of the pending move and there will be an opportunity to see the potential new surroundings,” Friedman added.
The reported meeting is the latest item in a series of notable events regarding the Coyotes in the past couple of weeks.
The franchise is currently based in Tempe, Arizona, and plays home games in a college arena. The organization has experienced ups and downs throughout its time in the greater Phoenix area, including ownership and venue changes.
A relocation to Utah would give the team stability and a home venue fit for the NHL. Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake owner Ryan Smith has been campaigning for a while to bring an NHL franchise to the Beehive State. In the last week, Smith petitioned fans to submit nicknames for a team in Utah.
On Friday night, ESPN’s Emily Kaplan also reported that the Coyotes players had been informed of the move to Utah and that “the NHL has facilitated a sale to Ryan and Ashley Smith.”
Kaplan added that a deal between Smith and the NHL is “being worked on.” However, it’s “not done yet.”
“The word I got from the players meeting was a distinct sense the move is happening. We’ll see what the next few days bring,” the ESPN insider added.
Sources told ESPN on Friday night that will there is a deal being worked on between the NHL and Smith, but it’s not done yet.
The word I got from the players meeting was a distinct sense the move is happening. We’ll see what the next few days bring.. https://t.co/kd19ekuMNI
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) April 13, 2024
With the reports continuing to snowball around the Coyotes, an official word could be around the corner from the league itself.
PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan added that an announcement might be made on April 17, the day of the Coyotes’ season finale.
Per multiple sources, the Coyotes have been informed that relocation to Salt Lake City is real.
Now hearing it could actually be announced on April 17; the date of the Coyotes’ final game at home vs. Edmonton.
It’s going to be quite an atmosphere that night at Mullett Arena.— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) April 13, 2024
The Coyotes currently own a 34-40-5 record this season and sit in seventh place in the Central Division.
Arizona has three games remaining on its schedule. The Yotes’ next game is on the road against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. (MT). The Coyotes close out the season vs. the Oilers at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona on Wednesday, April 17 at 8 p.m. (MT). Both games will be broadcast on NHLPP/ESPN+.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
