The NHL is still committed to keeping the Coyotes in Arizona with the future of the organization still in limbo
The NHL is committed to keeping the Arizona Coyotes in the Valley despite talks of a potential relocation.
After the Coyotes’ proposed Sports and Entertainment District was rejected, it seemed the team had nowhere else to go in Arizona. However, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made it clear on Saturday that he will do everything he possibly can to keep the Coyotes from relocating out of Arizona.
“It's a terrific market and there are a lot of sports fans there,” Bettman said before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. "It's a growing market and it's one of the larger markets in North America.
“We're at the stage now where the League, ownership, our teams are strong and we're in a better position to resist moving than maybe we were 20 or 30 years ago, and we want to make sure we explore all options at this stage at where we are before consider having to relocate a club, and I'm hopeful we won't have to.”
Bettman has voiced his support to keep professional hockey in Arizona on multiple occasions. He continuously traveled to the desert throughout this past season campaigning for the Coyotes’ Sports and Entertainment District even speaking to the Tempe City Council about it back in November.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly also made it known that he believes the Coyotes should stay in the East Valley but failed to rule out a possible relocation in the future.
“It has to be in the relative near term,” Daly said. “It's not as if the team is starting from scratch. The Meruelo ownership group did a lot of due diligence in connection with coming up with their Tempe plan, so they're aware of what their options are, or potential options are in the Valley. They are cultivating through those options currently. There are multiple options.
“But obviously there is a ticking clock for sure in terms of finding a resolution.”
The NHL has been patient with the Coyotes while they continue to search for a new home but they do expect the organization to figure out a solution sooner rather than later.
"The way I look at it right now, if we don't have in the near future, a new location, we have to have a serious conversation,” NHL Players' Association executive director Marty Walsh said.
The time for the Coyotes to find a new home is ticking but there is still momentum pushing to keep professional hockey in Arizona.