'You Can Kind Of Understand The Position The NHL Is In As Well': Maple Leafs Star and Auston Matthews Weighs in on Arizona Coyotes Possible Relocation to Salt Lake City

Matthews, who grew up Scottsdale, Arizona, doesn't want to see hockey leave his home state, but understands where the league is coming from.

Had it not been for the Arizona Coyotes, Auston Matthews may not have become the star he is with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The player, who grew up going to Coyotes games, spoke about the team's possibility of relocating to Salt Lake City next season after years of instability and a lack of a quality NHL arena.

"Obviously, selfishly, growing up there with them being a big part of me getting into hockey," Matthews said following the Maple Leafs 6-5 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. "I’d love for them to figure it out, but you kind of understand the position the NHL’s in as well."

There are reports that the NHL has drafted a schedule for the upcoming season that sees games played in Salt Lake City and additional reports say there is a possible framework that sees the Coyotes being sold to Ryan Smith, the owner of the Utah Jazz, and being relocated to the Jazz's home building. Alex Meruelo, the current owner of the Coyotes would be promised some sort of expansion team as part of the deal. 

Nothing is done until it is done, but certainly, the thought of Arizona-born and raised players aren't loving the fact that hockey could be leaving the state in the short term.

When Matthews was eight years old, he witnessed Alex Ovechkin score one the most impressive goals you will ever see. That doesn't happen if NHL hockey isn't played in his home state. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E82oUXP6Hng[/embed]

Matthews scored his 67th and 68th goals against the Devils last night. With three games remaining, he is two goals away from becoming the first NHL player to score 70 since Alex Mogilny and Teemu Selanne scored 76 during the 1992-93 season.

Related

VIDEO: Maple Leafs Honor Rodion Amirov as Family Attends First Game Since Prospects' Passing Last Summer

Report: Maple Leafs Ownership Could Make Massive Changes if 'Really Disappointing First-Round Exit' Happens Again in the Playoffs

'Not Too Really Happy About The Situation': Arizona Native and Maple Leafs Forward Matthew Knies Weighs in on Possible Relocation of Coyotes to Salt Lake City

News from THN.com

NHL Three Stars: Lightning's Stamkos and Kucherov Own the Ice along with Penguins' Nedeljkovic

Seven Intriguing NHL Entry-Level Deals Signed in the Past Month

The Capitals and Islanders Could Both Miss the Playoffs Because of a Skills Competition